It's been It's been three and a half years since Christina Aguilera's well-received four-times platinum Grammy-winning sophomore album Stripped. It's a much longer gap in records than most fans of pop music are used to. But as Christina's been saying for quite a while - the album is worth the wait.
So often, in popular music, the records are single-driven. There are four to five good songs at most, and the rest, though decent maybe, are mere filler material. Double-disc Back to Basics is one of those albums where even if certain songs may not necessarily tickle your fancy - there is something for everyone. And even the ones that aren't for you, you must still admit, are great.
For this album, Christina drafted hip-hop producer DJ Premier who did most of the first disc, and former 4 Non-Blondes member Linda Perry, who produced a lot of Aguilera's second CD. It's hard to say which of the two discs is better; they both have a different feel. The first is sample-heavy - yet it's hard to know it. Premier does such an excellent job of blending the old sounds with the new songs and Christina's instincts and newfound maturity both lyrically and vocally are flawless.
One problem with the album however — though it's not really the album's fault, more Christina's — is that it was said to be a throwback to the 20s, 30s, and 40s. If you listen to the record, there are at most four songs that really accomplish that: the authentic-sounding "I Got Trouble" (recorded with a cloth over the mic and Christina's whiskey-layered voice), the super-fast and funky "Ain't No Other Man", the fun "Candyman" (confirmed second single), and the racy "Nasty Naughty Boy". The rest of the tracks, though many may be throwbacks - are not throwbacks to the 20s, 30s and 40s.
Maybe she's confused about the musical eras, who knows. But what's more important is that people shouldn't hold this against the album. Because despite the misinformation Christina's given about the tracks, it does not detract from the fact that this album is golden. There are points in this CD where I get chills from just how good the songs are. The 90s Hip-Hop/R&B vibes are all over this CD and it makes tracks like "Slow Down Baby", "Back in the Day", and "Still Dirrty" so incredibly listenable while nostalgic all the same.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Erwin
I'm still bitter that "Stripped" was so underrated, but I'm glad that this new album will definitely find credibility as an artist for Christina.
2 - SFC SKI
Well, it's about time she put out an album that proves she can sing without studio magic, and without her voice being wasted on throwaway pop.
3 - Bianca
I really adored Christina starting Genie In The Bottle.... And right now I'm so thrilled for her... The girl simply rocks!
4 - goaway
Had to bring Beyonce into this. LOL. Damn. Can't go anywhere without seeing her name.
5 - Olli
Its a fantastic album...so much beautiful..LOL
6 - Christopher Rose
A lot of rock snobs, of which I'm one, have most unfairly dissed Christina's last album, which was simply a brilliant collection of songs and some fantastic music. If this one is as good, it will easily make for another four years of excellent listening!
7 - Kirsten
All I Can Say Is : BUY IT !
its an amazing and unique album, I love it
8 - Sierra
I am counting the days. Can't wait to buy her CD. No need to compare her with someone else, she is just a unique singer with so much talent.
9 - Tom Smith
All I can say is that every singer should watch out for the best singer in the world Mariah Carey!!! Christina Aguilera cannot sing compared to Mariah Carey!!!
10 - Chris Evans
Riiight...this is what has become of your precious Mariah:
11 - chaz
I've been listening for B2B for 3 days now, i must say that this album is her best ever! christina has really improved a lot specially with her voice its more powerful and has more distinct style. All the songs in the album are great like "Mercy on Me", "still dirrty", "Makes me wanna Pray", "Save Me from Myself" "Slow Down Baby" "Candyman" and "Hurt".
though this album is not available yet, i was able to download it! haha! But i'll grab one as soon as it hit the shelves!
12 - Raul
hola, Hi!, I dont know why the people here talk about Beyonce or Mariah, they are great singer, but: This review is for Christina CD???or them??
Well, I heard B2B and for me is a diferent and special work: Bravo Baby Jane!!PD: thaks for this objetive article-
13 - Kyle
Its definitely one of the best albums this year out there. BUY IT X-Tina is MAXIMUM in this record.
14 - Jayvee
True. I also have the leaked copy although I'm gonna buy the CD as soon as it shelves. It is amazing and it has a style that maybe is old school but she's not forcing us to like that kind of music, just putting us by the door to open it on our own. That makes it so much better and more credible for her as an artist. It is a good album for every track has something special. I guess taking time to make a record pays off because you get stand out tracks all around.
15 - nate
i heard it on MTV the leak today, and its really amazing. i really liked STRIPPED, but one is so much better, this is a career defining album. its so soulful the songs are sooo good.
16 - FRANCISCO
WOOO, I LOVED YOUR REVIEW...IT WAS GREAT, I'M NOT A CHRISTINA'S FAN AT ALL..I COULD SAY I HATED HER, BUT YOU JUST MADE DOWNLOAD A COUPLE OF SONGS AND I WILL SURELY GO AND BUY A COPY...YOU'RE RIGHT, THE SONGS ARE GREAT THOUGH I'D LOVE TO HEAR THE ALBUM COMPLETELY, I GUESS IS NO MUCH TIME LEFT TO WAIT...I'LL BE PREPARED AND I'LL BUY IT
17 - Daditza
Christina Aguilera is absolutely wonderful. The album has anything u want! And her voice is ....awsome!! She is the best female artist in the world at this time and it would be ashame if she will not take the Grammy!! Bravooo Christina! You're the great!!!!!!
18 - chanuo
amazing review, honest, direct, and crisp... you are right on with the promotion of this album, as I did some reaserch on my own. Well... this album is amazing. It's not really a "throwback" as I expected it to be, but the elements are there... you'll feel the vibe and the zone she wants us to be when we listen to it. Was listening to "Stripped" last night and was just blown away again (wasn't able to listen to it for 6 months SHAME ON ME). I really cant wait for the album!!! SIX LONG EFFIN' DAYS TO GO!!! ITS TOO LONG!!! :-p
19 - Bria
Christina's voice is PURELY AWESOME!! Mega Strong.
B2B is her fourth album and by far HER BEST TO DATE.I thought 'Stripped' was terrific. But her single 'Ain't No Other Man'is good good good & worth the wait!Who cares if Xtina is too sexy-her voice will carry her through."Britney and Jessica Simpson did you catch that?" "BTW-someone holla at Mariah Carey to give up the crown-Chrissy is in the HOUSE!"
20 - dj
i hope she can hit the high notes live this time around... i'm getting tired of her making aa lot of runs aand adlibs whenever aa high note is about to be delivered. hope her ssinging lessonns has taught her good tricks and techniqqques though. that remains to be seen.
21 - Luisa
I just don't like her very much. I don't like her look, her dancing, her voice- woo, woo, woooooooo.... She does have a powerful voice but her music always leaves me unmoved and unimpressed. Don't care about her new look- she will never be a jazz great but instead is a morphed Disney performer selling Pepsi and continuing the Moulin Rouge routine.
22 - Chris Evans
Luisa, you sound like one of those snobby critics Christopher Rose mentioned. I don't know how you could possibly listen to "Beautiful" and be unmoved or unimpressed. If anyone wants to hear one of the songs, you can find it here.
I'm pretty sure the whole album's on MTV's The Leak.
23 - Christopher Rose
Thanks for the link, Chris, please post any more you know of as the MTV stuff can only be viewed in the USA, grrr!
24 - Chris Evans
Save Me From Myself
Back in the Day
Still Dirrty
25 - Christopher Rose
Coolio!