"Stripped" is true to its title, as the new RCA Records release from Christina Aguilera truly strips away the final remains of her previous pop idol persona, and what we are left with is an upfront and personal sound that is as real as it gets.

Christina's twenty track album that forms "Stripped" shows a raw and fearless side to the artist in a style that is rarely used by todays pop stars and idols. This album stands out from Christina's three previous albums, Mi Reflejo, Christina Aguilera and my kind of Christmas, as Christina had more input in this album, making sure that each track represented a side to her or a significant event in her life.

It's a fair comment to make that Christina has come far since her days in the 'Mickey Mouse Club' with rivals Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake. Who would of thought that the sweet teenager who wowed audiences with her rendition of Disney's "Reflection" in 1998 would later be setting the stage alight singing Moulin Rouge's "Lady Marmalade" with the likes of superstars Pink, Lil' Kim, Mya and Missy Elliott?

It was the Urban sound of Christina's Lady Marmalade that made people stop and listen, making way for her critically aclaimed hit "Stripped". When I first heard tracks from Stripped, I wasn't convinced, feeling that Christina should stick with what she does best - high tempo ballads; but as I continued to listen to the album, I began to be pleasantly surprised.....

Tracks
=====

1- Stripped Intro 1.39

This is the first of four mini intro's which is an introduction to the next section of the album. In this intro, we hear snippets from interviews and rumours about Christina including gossip on the on-going feud with Britney Spears.

"So here it is/ no hype/ no glass/ no pretense/ just me/ stripped"

2- Cant Hold Us Down 4.15

This collaboration with Lil' Kim was the fourth track to be released from Stripped. It was written by Christina and Scott Storch and is a real anthem of female impowerment, speaking out on respect for women and societies double standards.

This track is light and breezy with not too much to it, although I particually like the R'n'B sound that Lil' Kim brings to the collaboration.

"The guy gets all the glory the more he can score/ while the woman can do the same and yet you call her a whore"

7/10

3- Walk Away 5.47

This song is about getting over an ex-partner. I particularly like this track as Christina resorts back to her roots belting out this heart wrenching classic. The track starts slow and moody with only a piano and drum accompanying Christina's heart breaking voice. The track quickly picks up with Christina belting out her pleading lyrics.

The beat is catchy and everyone who has ever been dumped can relate to the soulful lyrics.

"And it hurts my soul cause I can't let go all these walls are cavin' in/ I can't stop my suffering"

8/10

4- Fighter 4.05

This for me is one of the best tracks on the album. The fast beat and powerful accompaniment makes this song aggressive and very self-impowering. Fighter was the third single to be released from 'Stripped' and was written by Christina and Storch. I loved this song when it was first released and I never grow tired of hearing it as it's rock sound and thought provoking lyrics are very appealing.

The Video for 'Fighter' was fantastic as it showed the metamorphasis of turning from a weak introvert person into a strong and beautiful individual. The video was directed by Floria Sigismondi, who also was behind Marilyn Manson's 'The Beautiful People'.

" I am a fighter and I/ I ain't goin' stop/ There is no turning back/ I've had enough"

9/10

5- Primer Amor 0.53

This is another interlude, which is all in Spanish; unfortunately I don't speak a work of Spanish so I have no idea what is being said!

6- Infatuation 4.17

I love this track. Some words are in Spanish although the majority is English and is therefore easy to understand. The track has a very spanish feel to it with guitars and percussion. This track is about a girl wanting to date a boy but is scared to loose herself in him. The lyrics to this track are amazing and tells a common tale of the feelings one experiences when you are falling in love.

"Intrigues me with every move till I'm breathless/ I'm helpless/ Can't keep my cool"

9/10

7- Loves Embrace 0.46

Another interlude where we hear Christina breathing heavy and the sound of birds chirping- pretty naff.

8- Loving Me 4 Me 4.36

This song continues with the sound of the interlude with birds chirping, waterfalls and a lot of humming. This song is about being loved completely by someone. The calm background reflects on this feeling of being happy and content.

Unfortunately I usually skip this track as I find it boring and although the lyrics are good, there are others more appealing on this album.

"Stripped of all make-up/ No need for fancy clothes/ No cover ups, push ups/ With him I don't have to put on a show"

5/10

9- Impossible 4.14

This track was written by 'diva' Alicia Keys and in parts you can hear her talking although Christina sings throughout. This song has a quirky beat to it although I feel the lyrics on this track let it down and are not to the same standard of other tracks.

One thing I really like about this song is the tempo. As it is about a girl who is confused by her partners actions and as Christina sings about the frustration the song gradually gets louder and more up-beat.

" Oh baby it's impossible for me to love you this way/ It's impossible/ Oh baby it's impossible"

6/10

10- Underappreciated 4.00

This track is far from the most catchy and I feel this was written as more of an album filler, but I just find the lyrics hilarious. The song is about a couple who have been going out with each other for a while and the man has predictably fallen into a routine and has started to show bad habits, such as preferring to watch television than talk and snoring in bed - sound familiar????

"I miss those days when you stayed awake in bed/ Now you roll over and snore instead"

7/10

11- Beautiful 3.58

I do not think one person could turn around and say they have never heard this fantastically moving ballad. This was the second single to be released from 'Stripped' and was written by Linda Perry. The single represents not being accepted in any situation, feeling discriminated against, but still feeling good about yourself.

I think this has to be the best track on the album, and I would go as far to say the best track Christina has ever done. From the moment you hear the whisper "Don't look at me" and the piano introduction, you just know that this track is going to be a hit.

I love the way the song starts with a negative "It's hard to breathe" and then quickly turns around into a positive, the beat picks up and suddenly the song is in full swing.

Christina won many awards for this single including a special award of recognition from the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and a Grammy.

"Everyday is so wonderful, then suddenly, it's hard to breathe/ Now and then I get insecure, from all the pain/ I'm so ashamed"

10/10

12- Make Over 4.12

This track is about a partner who sends you insane and just makes you want to be on your own away from him. Personally I think this is one of the weakest tracks on the album as it sounds more like screaming then singing. Some may say this track is meant to be rock but I just don't see it, it's just noise. This track was co- written by Linda Perry- the woman behind 'Beautiful' and so I would of expected more from this track.

"I just want to get away/ Savin' all your bull-shit for another day"

5/10

13- Cruz 3.49

This track is all about getting away from it all, leaving your job behind and all those people who mean nothing and just being by yourself for a while. This track starts slowly and bores with quiet vocals and backing, but sure enough the song picks up with the lyrics becoming more interesting and the pace of the track picks up.

I get the impression that Christina decided to clump all her album fillers together as the album now is starting to slow down and I am losing interest.

"As I'm driving I'm captured by the view/ So much beauty the road becomes my muse"

5/10

14- Soar 4.45

This track is lyrically like 'Beautiful' as it sends out the message to not conform to societies views on how to look and act. The lyrics are the only thing that I feel saves this song from being a complete bore as the beat is flat and the song never really picks up from it's original pace.

"What is it in us that makes us feel the need to keep pretending/ Gotta let ourselves be"

6/10

15- Get Mine Get Yours 3.44

At last this album picks up again with this fantastic track about casual sex. The lyrics are fantastic and the sound is original and catchy. Although the track starts quiet and fairly slow, it soon picks up pace with Christina telling us just how she likes to be worked 'Like a 9 to 5' -Nice!

"So come on and freak my body we can get nasty naughty/ All night a private party/ Gotta hit that spot just right/ work me like a 9 to 5"

9/10

16- Dirrty 4.58

This was the first single released from 'Stripped' and they could of not picked a better first single. It was written and produced by Christina along with Rockwilder and features rapper Redman. The beat is pretty basic but the lyrics are just fantastic and Christina does them proud.

The video for this was just as controversial as the lyrics. The video was directed by David LaChapelle and features Christina in her famous chaps and various strange looking people mud wrestling. This track has been a massive hit in the clubs and has had masses of air-play.

"Here it comes it's the one you've been waitin' on/ Get up get it rough yup that's what's up/ Givin' just what you love to the maximum"

10/10

17- Stripped pt 2 0.45

Yes you guessed it - another interlude with Christina introducing the next part of the album.

"Sorry I'm not a virgin/ Sorry I'm not a slut"

18- The voice within 5.04

The fifth single from the album to be released is an inspiration power ballad. Christina wrote the track with producer Glen Ballard. I really love this track as it has a good melody and Christina's voice can capture the coldest of hearts as she sings about being confident in yourself and not letting go.

I particually like the end of the track where Christina is accompanied by a gospel choir as the song reaches it's peak.

"Life is a journey/ It can take you anywhere you choose to go/ As long as your learning/ You'll find all you'll need to know"

9/10

19- I'm Ok 5.18

I found this track quite disturbing when I first heard it as Christina sings about her abusing father. The song has a creepy and depressing feel to it, which goes perfectly with Christina's whiney and heart-breaking voice.
Through parts on this track you can hear a child's voice and crying noises while there is only a guitar to accompany the singing.

"It's not so easy to forget/ all the marks you left along her neck/ When I was thrown against the cold stairs/ And everyday afraid to come home in fear of what I might see next"

8/10

20- Keep on singin' my song 6.29

Yippy I hear you cry- the last track! After all these depressing songs about being cheated on, abused and dumped it is refreshing to see the album finish on a positive. This upbeat song is reflecting on all the rubbish that has happened to her in the past, putting it behind her and moving on. Although this is another slow song, the lyrics say everything.

"Cause too long I've been strugglin'/ Couldn't go on/ But now I've found I'm feelin' strong and I'm movin' on"

7/10

Over all I was very impressed with this album. Twenty tracks on an album is very impressive and extreamly good value for money, although at times I felt the quality of the album would of been better without all the album fillers.

It is obvious from listening to this album that Christina has been through a lot in her life, and although I have never been a big fan of her music or her lifestyle, I enjoyed listening to all the different phases and events in her life and actually felt sorry for her by the end of the album .

I would recomend any Christina or pop fan to buy this album and for a good deal check out Amazon and Ebay where prices are under ten pounds.

Thanks for reading

=================

Brat2004 (TM)