The Linda Perry-penned track "Hurt" and the low-key "Save Me From Myself" (which is one of Aguilera's best songs and vocal performances to date) take the sexy diva's music to a new emotional level. There are times on the latter track where it's so incredibly personal I literally feel like Christina is sitting right in front of me with a guitar singing the song in my face. With a quiet and vulnerable voice, Christina nearly whispers, "Don't ask me why I'm crying/'Cause when I start to crumble/You know how to keep me smiling". Linda Perry has stripped down Christina's vocals to the hushed, intimate singing we hear on the record - wiping away the ultra-melisma divalicious over singing we're used to from Miss Aguilera.
And on the former she and Linda tear jerk like a good Shirley Maclaine movie. "Seems like it was just yesterday when I saw your face/You told me how proud you were then you walked away/If only I knew what I knew today" Christina sings on top of a haunting yet heartbreaking piano melody — making the song a surefire number one hit on radio a la "Beautiful" success.
Some may try to criticize Aguilera for "trying to be" Etta James, Aretha Franklin, etc. — but if you listen to the CD, what makes it great is that she's not trying to re-create old school artists' work — she's looking to them as inspiration and fusing their style with her new lyrics, melodies, and attitude. On one of the album's best tracks "Back in the Day" pays tribute to some of these artists (incidentally many of them aren't from the 20, 30s, and 40s). 
So break out the Marvin Gaye and Etta James/Your Lady Day, and Coltrane/Turn up your 45's, bring back to life/The sound and vibe of yesterday/Open your mind, enjoy the ride,
Live out tonight and grab that Soul Train.
Marvin Gaye — 60s, John Coltrane — 50s, Etta James — 50s and 60s ... Christina, you're confusing me. Most of the people she names in the song are not from the eras she claims the album is influenced by. But once again, this is irrelevant. If someone just handed this CD to me today and I had no knowledge of how Christina had been promoting it - this criticism wouldn't even exist.
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!