Back To Basics [ECD] - Christina Aguilera > Reviews > Back To Basics - Christina Aguilera

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Groundbreaking
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	Flawless
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Outstanding
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Catchy, Vocally excellent
Disadvantages:	None

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Christina began her career on "Star Search" and "The Mickey Mouse Club" and has become an award winning artist, her collection of awards include 4 Grammy's and 2 Rolling Stones Music Awards, her rise to fame has seen her sell 25million albums worldwide and earn herself scores of fans from all walks of life.

Her newest album "Back to Basics" her first in 4 years, is a collaboration of her emotions and highlights just how she has changed and grown up over the years. "Back to Basics" is half a world away from "Stripped" which saw a racy young woman getting "Dirrty" onstage and performing for an audience. She has matured and this comes across in her lyrics. However she is keen to highlight that the girl that once was will never be forgotten and tracks such as "Still Dirrty" and "Candyman" challenge the modern woman she has become.

This is a double album the track list from CD 1 is as follows.

1. Intro (Back to Basics)
2. Makes Me Wanna Pray
3. Back in the Day
4. Ain't No Other Man
5. Understand
6. Slow Down Baby
7. Oh Mother
8. F.U.S.S (Interlude)
9. On Our Way
10. Without You
11. Still Dirrty
12. Here to Stay
13. Thank You (Dedication To Fans...)

CD 1 uses the piano and gospel influences to accommodate Christina's vocal range. Songs such as "Aint no other man" have an upbeat defining beat which is dancey but not clubby. I'm not a fan of the first CD, as it doesn't grab my imagination. Its soulful and vocally challenging but not the Christina I'm used to hearing. "Oh Mother" is an account of her past, and the abuse they suffered. The song "Thankyou" a dedication to the fans is sincere and nice to hear but seems ill placed on the CD it featured quotes from fans who praise Christina or comment on her ability and life, how they have influenced her and how she has given them strength.

Disc 2

1. Enter the Circus
2. Welcome
3. Candyman
4. Nasty Naughty Boy
5. I Got Trouble
6. Hurt
7. Mercy on Me
8. Save Me from Myself
9. The Right Man
10. Back to Basics (making of)

CD2 is by far my favourite as you have probably realised and was written in collaboration with Linda Perry. The CD experiments with Blues and Swing styles which is completely different from Christina's other work. "Enter The Circus" is an eerie introductory track - but clever it takes you back to the days when the circus came to town, the track "Welcome" flows into the introduction and follows a similar sound but with stunning vocals.

"Candyman" is my current favourite track, its racy, sexy and promiscuous. It's just like the old Christina and is currently her new release. "Nasty Naughty Boy" is full of sexual innuendo and could be classed as filthy but if you listen to the lyrics of "Candyman" they are also full of innuendo and cheekiness.

"Hurt" is a soulful ballad which draws once again on the emotions of her past, the abuse suffered and the effects that this has had on her throughout her life from childhood into adulthood. However it is also quite harsh in its production and as a ballad would have worked well on a quieter less aggressive note. "Save Me From Myself" is sung with an acoustic guitar and shows Christina at her best.

I loved this album and whilst I prefer CD2 I have noted that i'm in the minority of fans who preferred it to CD1. Many have claimed that the influences of Linda Perry have hindered Christina's success on this album but I beg to differ.

Her vocal talent has exceeded even her - and the songs are catchy. I can guarantee you will Love one of the CD's if not both. But I couldn't comment on which you would prefer.