I couldn't wait for the release of this album. I, like many girls around my tender age of 20, love Christina Aguilera. Whilst Britney Spears has been getting married to no-hopers, Mandy Moore has been starring in B Movies with Hugh Grant and poor old Jessica Simpson has gone through a divorce, Christina has been slaving away in a studio creating one of the biggest albums of 2006.
When I heard that the album was going to have a blues and jazz feel to it, I wasn't surprised. Christina is one of the only singers,certainly of our generation, not to idolise Whitney and Mariah. Sure, she probably admires them, but not in the same away she admires such Blues and Jazz icons like Billie Holiday, Otis Redding, Ella Fitzgerald and Etta James. As Christina got married last year to the man of her dreams in the beautiful surroundings of Napa Valley, she has matured. Not just because of her marriage but because she is now 24! But not many 24 year old women have sold in excess of 25 million albums worldwide, number 1 albums, singles, collaborations, not to mention 5 grammys! This is a woman who knows what to do, and can do it well. But can she make a well respected and individual blues inspired 3rd album?
I bought the CD from Tesco for £9.97, and for a double CD with enhanced features it's a very good price. The inlay includes lyrics to every track and some stunning shots of Christina. I couldn't wait to play it.
1. Intro (Back to Basics) : No explanation here, it is simply an introduction. 2. Makes me Wanna Pray : The first line of the song is "What is this feeling coming over me, I'm taken back in disbelief" and, funnily enough, that is how you feel. This song is very gospel inspired but Christina's voice shines through! The content matter is basically how she has changed and it makes her wanna pray! I guarantee you will be singing along by the end! It is a real foot tapper and it's a fantastic start. 9/10 3.Back in the Day : Probably one of the most modern songs the album really, it mixes dj scratches and names such as Ella Fitzgerald,Marvin Gaye and
the like. The song is basically saying, open your mind and listen to the music you love. I love the rhythms of Christina's voice on this track. It's urban chic at it's best 9/10 4. Aint no other Man : What can I say about this track that hasn't already been said. From the minute you hear the horns and then "heeeeeeey" and Christina's voice is planted in your ear like a seed in soil. This song really does sound like you are taken back in time to a smoky club where the women carry fans and the women had big voices! I love this song and I think it shows the musical transition Christina has made. 9/10 5. Understand : I love this one and I think it is my favourite. If you liked Impossible on her 2nd album, you'll love this track. The lyrics are beautiful and her voice is fantastic, I love this particular line, "So many tears I had to cry, but you had many more of your own you had to cry". The vocal rhythms on this track are fantastic and she really sings with so much emotion. 10/10 6.Slow Down Baby : With an infectious sample from the world of hip hop, slow down baby is a really sexy,urban track with a brassy twist. The lyrics are really cool and I can honestly imagine this as a single 8/10 7.Oh Mother - This song is very personal and you can really tell from the lyrics, the subject matter and her emotion on the track. Christina and her family suffered physical violence at the hands of their father and that is what the track is about. Her voice is simply haunting but powerful all the same. 9/10 8.F.U.S.S - This is an interlude aimed at Scott Storch who didn't work on this album. Basically, Christina is saying, "I dont need you". 9.On our Way - This a really nice soaring track about, what appears to be about her Husband and how life can only get better. It's a really nice floaty track and Christina's vocals are gorgeous. 8/10 10. Without you - This song yet again, is about her husband and me and my Mum love this song. It sounds simply beautiful, the lyrics are lovely, the spanish guitar is fantastic and the backing singers are brilliant too. It takes you straight to a summery meadow and butterflies 8/10 11.Still Dirrty - I love this one, it's sassy, sexy and sultry. Christina is definitely still dirty and I love it! Especially when she makes songs like this. The brass on this song is fantastic! From the minute you hear this, you wont forget it. "Cause I still got that Nasty in me, still got that dirty degree, and if you want some more sexy, still got that freak in me". How can you not love this?! 9/10 12. Here to Stay - This song is saying, "Look, I'm here, love me or hate me", but if only all hate songs sounded like this! The brass and backing singers are fantastic and Christina is also on top form! 8/10 13.Thankyou (Dedication to fans) - This is Christina's fans saying how much they love her, slightly sickly I know but it is mixed with previous Christina hits and it is a nice gesture.
1.Enter the Circus - Does exactly what it says in the title. There is typical circus music and a ringmaster saying, "You wont believe your eyes" This leads straight into track 2. 2. Welcome - Sadly, this song is only about 2 minutes long but it is 2 minutes of pure showtime! Her voice is fantastic and you are transported to a big stage, velvet curtains and trapeze artists! I loved this as it reminded me of Chicago and the like, as does much of the album 9/10 3.Candyman - What can I say about this track other than that I LOVE IT! As soon as I heard the opening bars I knew I'd love it. Remember when Marilyn Monroe performed for the troops, well you've just imagined this song! The lyrics are fab, "I met him out for dinner on a Friday night, he really got me working up an appetite, had tattoo's up and down his arm, nothing more dangerous than a boy with charm". She also holds a really long note at the end of the song. I defy you not to dance around like a loon to this song 10/10 4.Nasty Naughty Boy - This song is rather risque, but not because of any bad language, just simply because the lyrics are so provocative. Such, "I can be the one to Blow your, mind", and "Come on babe gimme some spanking". It's hardly for kids but hey, she aint breaking the law. This song sounds like it belongs in a smoking room full of men in top hat and tails. It really has grown on me. 9/10 5. I got Trouble - At the end of the "Aint no other man" video, Christina was laying on a piano in a silver dress singing this song. It's simply gorgeous and is the most Blues-y song on the album. It's got a lovely effect on her voice with a crackle effect. This song is a real grower. 7/10 6.Hurt - This song is contender for being the best track on the album. It could also give Mariah Carey a run for her money. This song gives the impression that she is singing about her estranged Father. The lyrics are heartfelt, the instruments are show stopping and Christina's voice is the most beautiful it's ever been. If you have seen the Circus themed video, with tears in her eyes throughout you will know that this song is personal. But it is not the video that sells this to us. The song is emotional, powerful and quite simply, fantastic. This is vintage Christina at her very best. 10/10 7.Mercy on Me - Now when I first heard this song, all I could think about was how sinister the music is, it has the most cabaret bass I have ever heard and her voice is simply astonishing. With lyrics such as, "And the devil inside me is scorned", you know that Christina means business. She holds a powerfully long note at the end of the track which will blow your mind and quite simply, it is a show stopper in the most subtle way. 9/10 8.Save me from Myself : This song is beautiful, with just a microphone, very few instruments and no messing with her voice, Christina proves that she can sing with emotion and no off the scale vocal acrobatics. This song is about how her Husband can save her from, well, herself obviously. With clever lyrics like, "Well some guys have showed me aces, but you've got the Royal Flush" we know she has found the right man. 8/10 9.The Right Man - Imagine Christina on her wedding day, her mind is racing, she has no one to walk her down the aisle at the most important moment in her life and you have imagined this song. With a full blown choir and stirring instruments, this song is a real opera! The lyrics are truthful and honest, her voice is fantastic once again a perfect end to the album 8/10
So there you have it, my review of Christina Aguilera's 3rd album. My overall verdict is that Christina has matured, not just vocally and physically but mentally. The lyrics are thought-provoking, inspiring and honest. Whilst the music is big, bold and beautiful all at the same time. Each cd has something to offer everyone. If you want a bit of hip hop mixed with r&b, the first disc can give you that, if you want some uptempo Blues then the first cd can give you that too. For a trip down memory lane and big show numbers then the second cd is perfect. You can see and hear from this cd that Christina really does have what it takes to stay around for a long time. The odd few have criticised her choice to record such a Blues/Jazz album, but what makes an artist a great one? Someone who takes a risk, and for me this risk certainly pays off! I advise you to buy this, there is a lot to take in so give it a couple of listens before you make your mind up. But you wont be disappointed.
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Back to Basics, Christina Aguilera's first disc in four years, refines and clarifies ... more
the--let's call it "sexy"--aura surrounding this platinum firebrand. Here, the best belter in a class that counts Jessica Simpson and Britney Spears on its roll call h...
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Back to Basics, Christina Aguilera's first disc in four years, refines and clarifies ... more
the--let's call it "sexy"--aura surrounding this platinum firebrand. Here, the best belter in a class that counts Jessica Simpson and Britney Spears on its roll call h...
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Disc 1: Modern Intro (Back To Basics) Makes Me Wanna Pray Back In The Day Ain't No ... more
Other Man Understand Slow Down Baby Oh Mother F.U.S.S. On Our Way Without You Still Dirrty Here To Stay Thank You (Dedication To Fans...) Disc 2: Old School...
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