Reviews (page 4 of 7)
Bit long but enjoyable
Nein
I don't know why I never expected a Christina Aguilera album to be here, and I don't know why I didn't expect to enjoy it so much. It's a VERY well put together album, with clear influences from pop, jazz, R&B, and swing albums. It's a delightful listen.
+1 because xtina is a great singer, -1 because thus did not need to be a double album
R'n'B pretty standard but it's pretty good up to "Welcome" which I haven't finished listening
This was a tough one to rate. No point wasting many words on her vocals which everyone knows are incredible. The major criticism I have is it's far too long. There are also some really bad songs here. I especially hated the one where all the fans are telling her how great she is. But then there are some amazing songs here too such as Ain't No Other Man, Candy man, Nasty Naughty Boy, Hurt, and Mercy on Me. I think it just about edges a 4 but it would be a much better album if it was half the length.
The vocals were amazing in this record. Favourite Track(s): Understand, Here to Stay Least Favourite Track(s): Candyman
Got tiring pretty quick. Can only take so much belting and riffing. 2.75
She’s no doubt a great singer, but that doesn’t really make this any more interesting
My God, this is not essential in the slightest. It's basically just a bunch of vapid pop pap with nothing actually worth hearing. Hell, there's literally a "song" that's mostly just random answering machine messages being played back from her fans. It does nothing well, and it's very much a product of its time. It's just way too long and boring, like every lousy album on this list so far.
1,8/5
Loved this!
I don’t need an 80 minute album to tell me I don’t care about Christina Aguilera. Didn’t even listen.
I hate this album so much that I will no longer use Christians Aguilera voice on Waze
I really like her voice.
She has an incredible voice, but the music is definitely not for me. Of course you can hear that all the people behind this project are skilled, but it’s so bland. I had to put on some Joy Division to comfort myself
Super cool
Not a huge pop music fan, but this was okay. I wouldn't opt to listen to it on my own. It's nice for something different.
This is not terrible, its a perfectly middling 00s pop album. I'm at a loss for why this is an album I need to listen to. Its as essential as elevator music. The thing that really stood out in this album is how hard Aguilera was trying to be black. She uses AAVE everywhere, models her signing style on R&B from earlier decades, and uses instrumentals that mix 60s soul, 80s R&B, along with some new jack swing. I don't have an issue with emulating your idols, but we'd be better off listening to a lot more Aretha Franklin, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, and a dozen other artists that Aguilera copies, than her.
Great voice, a double album was a long listen, could've been cut to 1. Wife gives it a 4.
07/11/2025 I was surprised that I slowly warmed up to this. Spotify listeners: 28.8 million
Oli ihan kiva kuunnella. Vokalistihan on oikein mukava mutta lyriikat hyvin kehnoja. Vaikka mennäänkin taaksepäin ja kunnioitetaan vanhoja hyviä aikoja ja lauluntekijöitä, korniltahan se kuulostaa.
Interesting approach with some old samples et al but blimey that drags outside of the singles
Christina has a brilliant voice, but I just don't like this kind of slickly produced pop.
Ugh. Esto no me lo esperaba. No conocía este disco, no debería estar acá. Estoy escribiendo notas a medida que lo escucho. Estaba listo para el UNO directo, pero parece que no es tan malo como pensaba, así que me imagino que va a llegar al DOS. El disco parece no ser de teen pop pedorrete (la imagen nos muestra que Aguilera ya no era una teen), sino que parece abrevar del neosoul. El primer tema es una intro sin mucha sustancia. Solo sirve para mostrar que el disco no es teen pop o r&b. La segunda canción parece tener más sustancia, la melodía está clara y los coros gospels le dan poder. El tecladito está de más, y nos recuerda que Aguilera sigue siendo una artista pop. Con otros arreglos sería mejor. El tema 3 es lo que esperaba escuchar. Todo bien pero esta música me aburre muchísimo. Aprovecho para decir algo que no me gustó del track 1 y que acá aparece otra vez: ese recurso de los beats como que un DJ está poniendo el disco o los scratches. Esto en el hip hop muchas veces está bien porque los discos de hiphop son películas que te cuentan una historia, pero el recurso en sí mismo es un cliché, y en un disco pop no tiene sentido. Dame canciones buenas y ya. El tema 3 sigue sin terminar. Miro el tracklist y me doy cuenta que encima es un disco doble. Horror. Encima eligieron su disco más largo, la puta madre. Tema 4: este es conocido. Y por ahora es la mejor canción (no mucho mejor que el tema 2 igual, eh). El sample funk es bueno y la melodía también. Lo único que me aleja un poco es la voz de Aguilera, es demasiado perfecta. Le faltó fumarse unos puchitos. Sigo sin creer que esto es un disco doble, la puta madre. Lo voy a escuchar en dos tandas. Otro problema del disco es que las canciones se alargan, suele pasar con el pop. Extraño un poco los 60s y sus canciones pop de 2 minutos. Tema 5: Undestand. Este es mejor, eh. Un lento romántico que parece ser bueno de forma no irónica. Por ahora la mejor canción del disco. Los arreglos están bien (el pianito me gusta mucho). Espero que no rompa la canción con un bridge de hip hop o algo así. No, no la cagó. Bien ahí Aguilera. Me sigue pareciendo muchísimo un disco tuyo entre los 1001 de la historia, pero esta canción fue buena. Vamos a "Slow Down Baby". Bajamos el nivel pero no está tan mal. Me hace acordar a Ain't No Other Man. Melodía pegajosa, samples funk, coros tal vez demasiado pop. El problema que tiene es que el otro tema fue dos canciones atrás. Salvo que haya muchas de este tipo es mucho de lo mismo junto. Tema siete: "Oh Mother" vuelve a levantar la vara (si bien me gustó más Undestand). Me pasa que me gustó mucho el pianito y cuando empieza la percusión electrónica siento "uh, siempre así". A veces estaría bueno que sean completamente acústicos. Igual está bien la canción y me parecen muy pero muy buenos los arreglos orquestales. No atosigan y dejan respirar. Solo le sacaría los coros. Es una canción que podría haber hecho Sting a principios de los 90s. La que sigue se llama FUSS (Interlude) así que la voy a tomar como punto de quiebre y sigo escuchando después. Lo primero que tengo para decir es "Bring Me the Disco King", ¿plagio total o estoy loco? Los arreglos del piano son buenos y la canción no es muy larga, pero me pareció muy ladri. Y medio pomposo ponerte un interludio por la mitad del primer cd en un disco doble. En fin, veremos que nos depara el resto del disco. Por ahora están bien las dos estrellas. Seguimos: On Our Way está bien, empieza con ruiditos feos medio cliché como los que nombré antes. Pero acá me gusta como canta Aguilera, y el tema es cortito. No desentona. Con otro tema dije que me hubiera gustado que fuera unplugged. Acá pasa lo mismo, la percusión electrónica le resta. Without You está bien pero no me gusta. Es una balada que podría haber sido single. Me imagino que le debe gustar mucho a sus fans, pero tiene demasiada sacarina para mí. "Still Dirty" tiene unos samples locos que están buenos, pero después el tema se pone repetitivo. Onda, todavía no llegué al minuto dos y me aburrí. Here to Stay también es bastante aburrida. Noto que el patrón en muchas de estas canciones es agarrar un sample y repetirlo en toda la canción sin cambio alguno. Último tema del disco UNO (sigh), es un tema más lento, más neosoul, Tiene muchos samples de mensajes, no sé si son de fans reales o si fueron creados para el disco (sería peor esto último), pero me rompe las pelotas. Refuerza mi creencia de que este tema es relleno, la música es genérica y lo "distinto" son esos mensajes. Meh. El disco tuvo 3 o 4 canciones "buenas" pero la mayoría no me gustó o son relleno. Me imagino que es demasiado hasta para un fan de Aguilera. Vamos al disco dos. Disco dos: "Entering the Circus". Ah sí, ahora sí. Una intro medio pelotuda de menos de dos minutos, pero tiene música circense y eso siempre es un plus. Ojalá que el segundo disco sea todo de música de circo. Y el primero haya sido así solo para contentar a los fans. Y el segundo tema también me está gustando. Tiene algo de circense también (en realidad creo que está bien enganchado con el tema anterior), la orquestación es magnífica y solo el estribillo parece ser pop - y me gusta, eh -; los arreglos no orquestales también son buenos. Me gustan la guitarra eléctrica y parece que esta vez usaron una batería real. Y cierra no con algo circense sino con una cosa medio vals. Si el disco es todo así por ahí le pongo TRES estrellas. Después viene Candyman. Esta también la conocía, es un sencillo del disco. Es muy "Los Twists", está bien pero quería otra cosa después de los primeros dos tracks del disco. Efectivamente, el 2do disco es mucho más interesante. Después viene Nasty Naughty Boy que es un tema de jazz muy bien orquestado. Y repito lo mismo que dije con Welcome, acá hay instrumentos reales, nada de batería electrónica ni cosas así. Mi hipótesis es que ella quería hacer este disco pero tenía miedo que sus fans le rompieran las pelotas entonces sacó un disco de música pelotuda para ellos. I Got Trouble es un número medio blusero. Destaca la producción, ella pone la voz más al fondo buscando, con éxito, que el tema suene como viejo. Hurt es una balada. A diferencia de las que estaban en el primer disco de vuelta está hecha con instrumentos reales: piano, no teclado; batería, no cosito electrónico, no están los coritos pelotudos por toda la canción - aparecen discretamente en la última parte de la canción, y la orquestación es otra vez muy buena. Puede ser que sea la mejor canción del disco. "Mercy on Me" es otra canción blusera. Al principio parece que va a ser un tema gospel pero apenas arranca el piano te das cuenta que es un blues. Pero esta vez bien producido y con una orquesta ostentosa. Es como si estuviera mezclado con uno de los temas más jazzeros. Tal vez sea un poco largo. Por ahora es de las peores del CD 2, junto Candyman. Igual está a años luz de cualquier cosa del disco 1. Save Me from Myself es la canción más minimalista del disco (es la anteúltima, así que ya puedo asegurar esto): ella está acompañada en toda la canción por una guitarra, y luego aparece una orquesta, pero siempre tranqui. El último tema también está bueno, no tiene una "banda" sino que hay coros y una orquesta (o sea, no tiene baterías, guitarras, instrumentos de bronce). Bueno, el "album" consiguió ganarse 3 estrellas. Tres estrellas débiles (3-). Separados, el primer disco sería un 1+ o un 2-, mientras que el segundo disco es un 3+ y realmente vale la pena darle una escuchada. No es que "uff, qué maravilla de disco", pero si es una sorpresa que Christina Aguilera haya sacado algo así. No sé si voy a publicar las reviews para que todos las puedan leer, pero si alguien lo hiciera le recomendaría a TODOS los que tienen el mismo prejuicio que yo a que escuchen primero el disco dos. El primero es pop de los 00s bastante mediocre. No es el tipo de música que yo escucho, pero hasta los discos malos de Madonna, como MDNA son más interesantes que el CD 1; pero el CD 2 es el trabajo de una artista que quiere probar que puede hacer algo distinto, sigue siendo "pop" ya que las melodías están, pero usa instrumentos analógicos, y trata de hacer o incorporar elementos de jazz, blues, folk. Es un disco cortito (mucho más que el CD 1), muy variado y entretenido. Una sorpresa.
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this, especially Disc 2. This woman can really sing, she sort of went under my radar, I guess because Britney was so big at the same time. Some of it's a bit weird and self indulgent but by no means the worst thing I've listened to this week.
There are a bunch of genres smashed onto these discs, from rock to hip-hop to pop and blues, and Ms. Aguilera is a highly skilled vocalist, but the material she's working with leaves me cold.
2 bangers of singles don't manage to counteract the self-indulgent mess of the rest of the album. "Thank You (Dedication to Fans...)" is particularly narcissistic.
A fine talent, and she proved it on every track here.
Didn't think I would enjoy this nearly as much as I did! Strong voice and catchy tunes. A bit long for my linking but still an enjoyable listen.
Still had that strong voice even in her third album.
She has some good songs on here but nothing special.
Not bad, not bad... she has some insane vocals, and I'm bold enough to say that the second disc is almost perfect. It's a good pop album. 4 stars.
Enjoyed this. Little bop on the way to work
She has a lovely, special voice, but somehow her song selection is lacking. Not sure what is is aiming for here - Pop Diva or Torching singer. Choosing a. lane could have resulted in a more complete album.
Great
Not looking forward to this. Christina has a fine voice, but from what I recall of the singles of the era, these are too clean and pop for my tastes. Here we go… 3 songs in, and I am prepared to admit my original feelings were wrong. This album is great. I think I have singles fatigue. Ain’t No Other Man gets too many spins. End of the album. Sorry I doubted you Christina. 4/5 stars. Oh no. There’s a second disc. It’s dragging down the score to a 3. Really should have thrown disc 2 in the bin.
Bullshit
One of the challenges to this project is jumping into what seems like an artist’s magnum opus without much context for their earlier work. Even the title track here suggests a departure of sorts from earlier work, but I have to take it on face value. I remember the days when CA was getting lots of airplay on MTV, but this is my first time listening to one of her albums in full. I enjoyed most of it, with great songwriting and production that makes this feel more than just a pop time capsule. There were some really incredible songs, and some that were less so. I wavered a bit, I think this is somewhere between a 3 and 4.
One cannot deny the power this woman’s voice. For this listener, many of the songs come off as cheesy...corny...and all other adjectives related to perishable foods. I really really enjoyed the song "Understand". That's a 5 star song, no doubt about it. However just about every other track left me underwhelmed. In terms of talent, this woman is somewhere between a 4 and a 5. In terms of albums (and albums one must hear before they die) this record is somewhere between a 2 and a 3.
mhh mal was anderes, ja tolle Stimme aber..? c
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1111111111111111111111111111111
i didnt fw it so much but then i listened to it in the shower
banger?
Another big boy from Christina. Other than the campy sexual stuff a lot of this was just really personal and melodramatic which gets old after a bit. Production wise there’s some good stuff though.
The songs are lightweight pop, but her voice really belts them out. She can definitely sing! Fun distraction. My favorite song is the one that sounds like it could have been as hit for the Andrews Sisters.
Yeah if I could sing like this and people kept putting me in the same category as Britney Spears I’d be pissed too. This was really great, and while certainly bloated in places I liked it a lot. The concept of sampling on disc one and live instrumentation on disc two was cool and her singing shined throughout. The two hits were great to hear in context and a lot of fun. I’d probably do a 4.5 if possible but it’s not so 5 it is!
Day 69 This is definitely why I agree there should not be a skip button in this project. I rolled my eyes when I saw this was today’s album as I got a Britney Spears album a week or so back and despised it and thought this would be more of the same but I ended up really enjoying a lot of it, it’s definitely bloated and drags a bit in the 2nd half but there’s definitely songs on here I will be returning to, especially the lovely ‘oh mother’ 7/10 Highlights Makes me wanna pray Back in the day Oh mother
I was quite impressed by the production on some of these songs, then I look at the credits and see DJ Premier. Very unexpected but that explains it. Back in the Day has a great beat with some cool scratches, Ain't no Other Man is quite experimental for 2000s r&b. I like the mysterious vibes and thick bassline on F.U.S.S., and Slow Down Baby was also a banger. Still Dirrty is maybe the most Pharell-sounding beat that wasn't produced by Pharell. Just has that trademark 2000s club banger sound with the bouncy drums, and the trumpet sample is very cool. Thank You is good but a bit unnecesserily long. I was afraid that the album would get boring but she actually switches it up for the 2nd half and does a more soul sound with some jazzy arrangements. It's alright but I can't say it grabs me too much. Candyman seems a little corny to me. I Got Trouble has some weirdly muffled vocals that sound kind of bad, weird switchup because on the rest of the album they're super clear and powerful, especially on Hurt which follows it. It's a good album but a few tracks could have been cut to make something great.
Keep Miles Davis' name out of your fucking mouth. {Slaps the two dozen people it took to make this record}
I didn't know this album was good. And it is!
• 3/5 • Straight forward R&B/Pop. I suppose it's good, but doesn't resonate with me. • The tracks sound like they were written by committee - very polished, but uninspired and lacking a unique voice
Much respect for one of the best voices of our time but I can't sit through a double album of modern day pop without it giving me anxiety
The good? An album featuring a woman! That seems to be rarity on this list. Christina Aguilera has quite the voice. The bad? The production--it's dated and distracting. It's overly long. The songs are not my thing. It's distracting and annoying after a few songs. I'd like to hear what Christina Aguilera could do with different lyrics, better producing, less pop. She's the type of signer that would turn the Star Spangled Banner into a 20-minute long melisma slog. 2 stars from me, dawg.
Christina Aguilera suffers from the Adele problem of having an incredible voice but making the most mediocre, bland, derivative soul-pop imaginable. (Maybe it’s the other way around?) Now, I gave Adele the benefit of the doubt because I grew up with her music and I have a lot of nostalgia associated with her sophomore record, but Aguilera doesn’t have that bias within me and as such I feel like I can see it for what it is. Not even to mention that this is a DOUBLE RECORD???? I admire the passion, but this does not have the uniqueness or staying power to last that long. I got the vibe of this album after 4 songs, lol. 1.5 stars, rounded to 1 for disappointment.
Expected this to be a trainwreck, but it actually mostly works.
good
She has an incredible voice. Too bad she wastes it on bubblegum pop music. However, this album has a lot of OG influences that make it bearable mostly. Sing like this but keep the dirty era look. Oh yeah.
Not my type of music but decent to listen to on a run. First part was good but second just seemed like vocal porn which didn’t age well. Use of “o, daddy.”
Powerful voice, kind of r&b vibes
This album felt very self indulgent and congratulatory at times, inappropriately so because I don't think this artist has that much talent. Then I listened a bit more carefully and whoa, she's got great pipes. I'm pulling this up to a three just based on the fantastic vocal quality. Otherwise it's fairly useless pop music.
After a fantastic first three songs (excluding the intro), Back to Basics fails to piggyback on its opening and instead indeed goes back to basics, the basics being formulaic, whiny, incessant ‘neo-soul’, the sort that you’d really like to turn off, but can’t, because then you wouldn’t be staying faithful to the 1001 list. It’s just intrusive enough to creep out of the background if you try to focus on something else, and in one case (Nasty Naughty Boy), it’s intrusive by way of being pornographic. On top of that, it’s a double album (it could all fit onto one disc fairly easily, but it’s all for the cheap concept) so it’s about 45 minutes longer than it needs to be. You could shave off about ten minutes by slimming down the vocal intonations. She can sing! Isn’t that great. But I think I’ve got the message. Ms Aguilera can now kindly fuck off. So tracks 2 through 4 are worth listening to, they’re some seriously great R&B / soul / whatever they are. Track 4 on the second disc or 17 overall is worth listening to if you want to masturbate, I suppose.
Aquilera has a phenomal voice and seems to be able to sing nearly anything. Although I kind of enjoyed listening this double album, everything blends together after some time, not in a bad or boring way, but somehow it's all a bit too much of everything, and you can't distinguish the better parts from the good parts, if that makes any sense.
113/1001 Christina Aguilera - Back To Basics Heard before? ❎ Revisit? ❎ A tale of two halves - literally. First half insipid, uninspired pop with the cringe inducing Thank You, the second is far more interesting, though with barely disguised innuendo.
I don't really enjoy this type of music. But I must confess my admiration for Christina Aguilera as an artist. If it were my style, this would probably be top of the list. A rare 4 despite it not being my thing.
Great voice and second half I.e. disc 2 is better than the first but nothing that made me desire to listen to this album again. It suits the mainstream radio that I associate with Aguilera.
Christina Aguilera Christina is a great singer but this not really a great album. The retro blues stuff feels a bit too on the nose to me. I wanted to like this more not sure what wasn’t connecting with me. Favorite song was Hurt, Save Me From Myself.
Hot take maybe but i think this kind of sucks. Songwriting is terrible and the excessive vocal runs are so annoying. Production is super boring to me, everything sounds flat and lifeless which i guess is part of this era of production but i hate it. Better than a lot on this list and maybe i am missing something but this is just kind of bad and cringey to me. Also again - why does this have to be a double album?
I was so excited for this but it is horrible. Whatever the opposite of tasteful is…
Input > Output. The anger is gone
Yeah. Just like the other album we listened to on here. Samey
Look, we know CA can sing but that couldn’t really elevate this album above the mediocre.
It’s really bad. Dominated by her screeching vocals and a jumbled mess of songs. Can’t believe we have been exposed to 2 of her awful albums.
Two Aguilera albums in two weeks is pushing the boundaries somewhat. The surprise was that I thought Stripped was OK. However, this one less so. The title gives some sort of clue about exploring older styles. Which is clearly what’s going on, but all the attempts at original soul, jazz, ballad and funk(ish) etc. styles just end up sounding like Aguilera singing over some very badly overproduced attempts at recreating classics. They sound utterly unauthentic. I mean, the one where they just play some vinyl crackle noise over a ballad is totally cringe, and does not suddenly recreate Ella Fitzgerald. This generally just gets worse as the album gets on. The best tracks were the poppier ones at the start. Fair play for trying to vary things, but maybe stick to what you’re good at Christina.
This is some big album at the time, that became pretty unjustly forgotten. I appreciate her dedication to the concept, the songs are pretty varied too.
The first few songs were the best.
Undeniably incredible voice. I actually think I like the second disc more than the first. It's not entirely my style of music, but it is incredible for what she does. Christina has incredible range, from powerful, soulful, subdued, seductive, dominating, and playful. Sort of a mixed bag on themes. First song is about prayer, but then there are other, much raunchier songs. Sort of emblematic of the dichotomy of the time, where female pop artists were expected to be chaste, but also sexy. A bizarre period of music in retrospect.
80 minutes of the worst generic pop slop you can imagine. Back to basics? Yeah it was basic, bland as all hell. And what was up with the over the top sexual stuff. Nasty naught boy? Still dirty? Gross. Almost unbearable to listen to in it’s entirety.
Was nto expecting to like this as much as I did; whilst a lot of random interludes about how great she is did little, there was no getting away from her voice, and a series of Bond-esque ballads that were tryue bops. Shame about all the R&B vibes that took up too much time.
Aguilera’s voice is undeniably great. But she doesn’t believe in holding back. Ever. There’s just way too much wailing and never ending vocal runs. She pushes her voice to the point of shouting the whole time. Also, the songs aren’t that strong. 78 minutes is unbearable for me. Half would have been plenty. But hey, that’s just my opinion. 2/5
Meh not my fav
iconic
Actually gewt
This album was fire. I wanted to hate it because I thought she was whack growing up. Turns out I’m the one who was whack
Nice enough but lacking soul.
Sux
Not bad, but not a Christina fan really
She really has an excellent voice. The whole album has the same vibe though.
I enjoyed this much more than expected. I knew she could sing but this was actually pretty good variety as well.
I’m so hit or miss with Christina. Sometimes I really like her, but she over-sings everything, and it’s so grating. She has some good songs, but the way she sings them is exhausting. There’s also no reason this needed to be a double album. The songs were not special enough to justify that. They were also way longer than they needed to be. The production was a highlight, though, and part of the reason this is getting 2 stars from me instead of 1. Honestly if this only had half the songs it did, it’d probably get a higher rating, but it started to drag quite a bit near the middle-end of the first album. And the last song of the first album “Thank You” was so cringe. Really wish they would have skipped that. It felt like something that would make more sense on a pop album in the late 90s, yet still would have been cringe then too. “Save Me From Myself” was probably my favorite song because Christina’s voice was much more subtle and didn’t have the same over-singing she usually does. Her voice is really beautiful when she’s not trying to do too much. “Ain’t No Other Man” and “Candyman” are still fun songs, and I enjoy them like I did when they came out. But overall this album was a big miss for me.
There are a couple of terrific R&B songs on the first disc but the jazz/soul throwback numbers are not great. And the whole second disc makes zero sense. This should have been two albums.
I did not like disc 1 of this double album. For someone who is talking a lot about going back to basics and honoring musicians listened to while growing up, there sure is a lot of 2000s bullshit all over the first disc. The second disc, however, what an absolute change! It actually sounds like it was heavily influenced by previous eras of music, while still being modern! And I actually really like it. She's got a ton of vocal talent (which is apparent in both discs), which helps keep the worst songs still intriguing. The first disc is a dud for me. It doesn't really do anything well, sounds awful, and the best parts are Christina singing, which is usually covered up by samples and over-produced noise. That side would get around a 1/5 for me. The second disc is a game changer, though. You can hear the older influences while the album still sounds like modern pop. Her voice is actually given the center of the stage, rather than it having to fight everything else going on, and the songs are pretty enjoyable. It would get a low 4/5 from me. I know the math here doesn't quite add up but trust me when I say I did the math. Favorite Song(s): Welcome, The Right Man
I didn't want to say it, but how good is some of this album?? Her voice the production, you can't freaking knock it can you.
loved her vocals, it does get old after a little while but i still enjoyed most of it
I have an indelible memory of Candyman playing in the barbershop at boot camp when I got my first haircut there. Some good songs but also what feels like a lot of filler. Didn't need to be over an hour.
Had a lot of fun with this one
Very fun. Nostalgia bonus point
After reading some comments: I don't know what the fuss is about. There are some good tracks on this album. There are some cheesy tracks on it as well. Overall, I liked it. Personal favourite: Back in the day
"Shit, Christina Aguilera better switch me chairs" -M and M. She's one of those singers I heard about as a kid but only knew as someone who could sing and was truly, truly indistinguishable from Gwen Stefani. Liked "Oh Mother" the best. "Thank You" featuring clips of fans calling her was a real time capsule that I was drawn to in the same way I enjoyed "7 O'clock News." A real, "I'll have what she's having of an album." Good God. Listened to this at work. Won't say Christina Aguilera is my taste, but she can definitely sing, and it's definitely 2006.
A few catchy songs
Good singer Some depressing songs Some hits Rest a bit meh
As warblefests go I found this mostly painless. I liked the clear coherent travelogue lyrics that explain in simple terms what was going on, she was trying to emulate old classics. She missed, but she tried. Loses one star for being an unnecessary double album.
a walrus bellows the blues
78 minutes oh hell no i kind of fw cheesy white girl soul. its not even bad but an hour and 20 minute is absurdly long for a project like this.
I’ve listened to some great double albums. And some great long albums. By bands that I already know and enjoy. I’m not sure that a double album is the best introduction to an artist I’m unfamiliar with though. The first disc was OK, but I much preferred the jazz/blues style of disc 2, and that’s what I’d choose to listen to if I were to do that. It’s almost like it should be two albums. A shame it’s not as I’d give disc 2 at least 4 stars and would probably have listened to it more than once. It goes without saying that it doesn’t deserve a 2.75 rating at all and that some of the opinions people have about it are a bit OTT. It’s better than a 2.75 certainly.
This was a rough one to get through as a certified Christina sleeper. “Welcome” and Nasty, Naughty Boy” had some of the best vocals I’ve heard in my life. “Welcome” was also just a really interesting production. I really wish she’d do less over singing and emulating others because she’s talented and those songs showcase what she’s capable of. Lyrically juvenile, at its best, mostly just vapid. Tragically vulgar when it should have been cheeky and playful. I want to deduct another star for how pretentious and obnoxious I find the title juxtaposed to what she gave us(I won’t). I get she meant her inspirational foundation. I don’t care. I think it was a mistake and I think it had a title like that because the album had nothing to say. What a waste. I could’ve listened to Alice Cooper today. #CertifiedHater
this was not as bad as beyonce
A low three. My least favorite Christina effort, but points for ain’t no other man and candyman and vocals generally
Solid album with some soul from Xtina, worth 3 ⭐s
Unerträgliches Geschrei, Gequietsche, Gestotter und Gejammer. Eine Sammlung all dessen, was bei mir zu Ohrenschmerzen führt.
This album was alright but she better switch me chairs So I can sit next to Carson Daly and Fred Durst And hear 'em argue over who she gave head to first
I wanted to like this but I did not like this and it did not take it back in the day and the lyrics just weren’t there for me :( Only listened to Disc 1. sorry xtinaaaa ❤️I do hope we get the Genie in a Bottle album as that was one of the first CDs I ever owned
This gets 5 stars for Nasty Naughty Boy as a Song I Want to Have Sex To, minus 2 stars for 2 discs of over produced 90s pop, plus 1 star for Xtina having a very impressive vocal range and a charming dedication to her fan base, minus 1 star for being kind of boring. 3 stars??
2 unremarkable albums by xtina on this list already? I hope that means that there will be at least as many albums represented by Janet Jackson, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Britney Spears, Beyonce and Mariah Carey, too. Christina is no doubt a vocal powerful, but she isn’t that interesting as an artist and this album is ridiculously long and teeming with filler and cliched, over-sung pop R&B songs. That being said “Ain’t No Other Man” and “Candyman” both rip.
This was not what I thought it would be. Yes, she has shining moments and a special voice. No doubt! But 22 songs is.. ... a lot of songs and she has a great voice, distinct and specific, and the beats behind her mainly rap style that is not quite driven enough to be hip hop or club music... (You listen more than groove to... ) I think in small doses she is quite nice to listen to. In a large album... Even if she was my favorite, 22 songs gets... too much maybe... I should have listened in two parts or over the day but I got kind of punch drunk and even her last song which is otherwise quite lovely, sort of fell on impatient ears. I may wish to alter my judgement later, but for now...It was "OK."
I enjoyed this more than I expected, she does have a great voice. But this isn't my favorite era of pop music, and ultimately don't want to listen to almost an hour and half of this....
Basic math: (Appalling x 2)/78 Minutes = Egregious
Something about this album feels insincere. I give Christina credit for trying to push herself into a different direction, and distinguish herself amongst her fellow pop princess peers that flooded the early 2000’s. Unfortunately it feels she is overcompensating with a double album of nonsense while trying to be taken seriously.
Back to basics was an apt title because this album was the most basic listen this week. It wasn’t bad music it just didn’t move the needle, mid if you will.
This album was way too long and it gave me nothing in return. 3/10
Bog-standard modern pop. Instantly forgettable.
pre good
Pop pap.
Banal. Yikes. But better than Meatloaf.
I'm not going to beat around the bush here – I've never really considered myself a Christina Aguilera fan. I definitely wouldn't say I'm a hater or anything like that, but her hits never did much for me. That said, her career was already several albums deep by the time I turned 10, so it's probably fair to say that I wasn't in her target demographic during that time of my life. I've also been more open to the pop girlies of recent years (mainly Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Olivia Rodrigo and Lady Gaga), so I was happy to give this album a fair shot. Aguilera's mission on Back to Basics is made clear in the opening moments of the album: to pay tribute to the soul/blues/jazz artists who paved the road before her. For the first few tracks, it feels like that's (at least somewhat) the case – the very next track after the intro is a full-on gospel tune (which oddly features Steve Winwood, the first artist the Generator picked out for me), followed by two soulful, upbeat tracks produced by the talented DJ Premier. The latter of the two ("Ain't No Other Man") is especially fun and probably the single best track on the entire album. Unfortunately, what goes up must come down and down it goes indeed. After these first four tracks, the names Aguilera dropped on "Back in the Day" (Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye, Etta James, John Coltrane, etc.) come across as little more than lip service. The following nine songs aren't all that bad (and "F.U.S.S." is legitimately a highlight), but are fairly forgettable for mid-2000s pop/R&B. Even some excellent sample-heavy production from Premier and Mark Ronson couldn't elevate the tail end of the first disc even close to the heights of "Makes Me Wanna Pray" or "Ain't No Other Man." First disc? Oh yeah – Back to Basics is a double album. If BTB was just the first disc, it probably would have been an easy three star rating for me. Unfortunately, disc two completely tosses out the "tribute to the trailblazers" concept to focus on more standard Xtina fare and it's all the worse for it. The only true highlight here is "Candyman" and songs like "Nasty Naughty Boy" sound incredibly out of place on the album that gave us "Makes Me Wanna Pray" less than an hour earlier. Why this second disc wasn't released as a separate EP or saved for a future album is beyond me. It makes BTB feel so much more bloated than it already was and it completely loses the character than made the first disc remotely compelling. I'd even go as far as to say that listening through the second disc actively harmed my impression of the first – I let the album loop back to the beginning to re-listen to those first few cuts and the idea of it being some kind of tribute started to feel like a cruel joke in hindsight. If I can find some positives in this album, it's that Christina Aguilera has a great voice and knows how to show it off here. I can also appreciate her straightforward style of writing lyrics – it's often easy to know exactly what she's talking about without having to read into it too much. Additionally, I think it's nice that she attempted to put some respect on some of the great Black artists of the 20th century, even if the execution wasn't fully there. Ultimately, Back to Basics has too many good qualities for me to give it one star, but it's not an album that I ever want to hear from front to back again. Highlights: Makes Me Wanna Pray, Ain’t No Other Man, F.U.S.S. (Interlude), Candyman
I surprisingly didn't hate this and it's like some kind of guilty pleasure lol. The 2nd half where it got a bit naughty with Candyman and such was alright with me
Too long. Too much of the same vocalizations. Yes she’s talented but I wasn’t feeling this.
Pfffff!!!
Well that's a surprise. There or four decent tracks here. The rest ? The garbage I expected.
I appreciate what she does and she deserves way more credit than she received being stamped, at the time, as a "spears clone". That said the music isn't for me. I appreciate the technical complexity. I just don't cotton to it.
Total vibe. Felt like I was watching MTV in 2009. I think I have found my new guilty pleasure…
I really liked this! She reminds me of a pop Carrie Underwood. This was just an interesting album through and through
She's a talented vocalist, there is no doubt. But this record felt like a showcase of virtuosic singing, and not a record that was focused on creating something meaningful. Aguilera felt cranked up to 100 the whole time; which is something that is not necessarily a bad thing, but felt overbearing over the entire runtime. Not a lot of nuance or subtlety. It's like any virtuosic instrument--sometimes it's awesome, but I don't want to listen to over an hour of riffing and over-singing. On the bright side, there were some really catchy tunes on this record. On both halves of the double album, there were songs that really dug in with infectious melodies and pop-py production. At its worst, most songs were still inoffensive, even if most tracks were pretty forgettable. Not enough on it to take it higher, and nothing to drag it down. 5/10 Standouts: Hurt
Think I would’ve loved this if it the album was like disc 2. Just a complete throwback. Instead disc 1 is a collection of songs yearning for classic artists but done in the most grating of mid-2000s production value. Christina can sing but I’ve always found her need to do vocal runs in basically every song unenjoyable. 2/5
One thing about Christina Aguilera is that she can consistently make decent pop songs. Every song on this album was either OK or good. I don't think there was a single song on this album that I thought was bad. I was also surprised by the her range in this album. She incorporates a lot of elements from genres that I was not expecting, like cabaret and jazz. The people who say that the whole album sounds the same clearly have not listened to it. 4/5 Favorite song: "Still Dirrty"
Solid banger with excellent production
This album, I would say was harshly rated. It is no masterpiece like others in this list but it doesn't have to be, the whole point of this challenge is to expose ourselves to music we may or not have heard. I seen a lot of 2 star ratings on this album and I would say I am opposed to it. It is not my favorite at all but it had some decent tracks and it was less forgettable than the last album I reviewed. It's not my type of music but I had a decent time listening to it and I would never see myself calling this horrible to listen. There was some actual horrible albums in my opinion in this list but this is not even close to getting that label. So I am giving it a 3/5.
Nome che conoscevo ma mai ascoltata davvero Albumozzo incredibile con la seconda parte più soul che spacca
The first disc was boring, filled with a bunch of sample loops. The second disc is much more interesting.
A little bit disappointed in this. I don't think her voice works with the retro-style of music, the production is terrible, and the execution is VERY 1990s (record scratching, out of place booming bass, etc.) - which clashes horribly with the 60s/70s genre choices. Finally, the album is far too long. 2.0/5.0: Disappointing
this album surprised me in the best way. i had heard the singles before and thought they were fine but listening to them in context of the album really highlighted them. her voice is great and fits the style of the songs really well. the runtime is long but i was actually enjoying the album so much i barely noticed. there were a few weak songs that couldve been cut to keep it closer to the 60 minute mark but overall i was very impressed with this one
Great voice, probably over produced, much more prefer the slower and jazzier stuff
Honestly did not listen. Expecting me to listen to an entire double album of Christina Aguilera’s more recent work is just crazy.
Hopelessly undercooked instrumentals and unbearably overcooked vocals. The musical equivalent of a burnt fish finger.
After listening to Aguilera's earlier album Stripped, I had high expectations. This record did not disappoint. Disc 1 gets a little monotonous, but the tone in question is quite simply spectacular, particularly near the beginning when it hasn't yet overstayed its welcome. It's hypermodern (for its time), slick, badass, catchy, poppy, and held together by one of the strongest vocals of the time period. Aguilera's voice is undeniably brilliant. I'm not a huge fan of the backing vocals throughout disc 1; they do that hip-hop harmony thing where they just kind of sing in haphazard thirds apart from each other and hope the audience doesn't notice that it's exactly the same as every other backing vocals. Beyoncé does the same thing in most of her music, and it's equally frustrating there. There are a few dud tracks. And no, F.U.S.S. (Interlude) is not one of them. That one may as well be its own standalone track, it's got such a catchy, funky synth part. On the other hand, Thank You (Dedication to Fans) was placed smack in the middle of the album, just before you flip over to disc 2. And it's such a show halter – in the worst way – that it almost makes you want to stop listening right there. Five minutes of recordings of your fans thanking you for your music isn't exactly an exciting or moving musical experience. It's just a slow, painful wait-fest. And then you switch discs and are hit with the extremely questionable Enter the Circus. It's an attempt to turn disc 2 into a concept sub-album, I guess, but it's such a silly, cheesy idea with a half-baked performance. The next track, Welcome, is thankfully much better, and the third on the disc, Candyman, is excellent. Back to form – whew! Disc 2 is, for the most part, the "jazz-soul crooning" half of the record. More points from me in that regard. The tracks are more varied from one another, and the vocal harmonies are (mostly) more interesting than the modern hip-hop ones found on disc 1. Nasty Naughty Boy, I Got Trouble, Hurt... there are so many standouts that disc 2 could feasibly be a 5-star album on its own (if it weren't for its opening number). 4/5 Key tracks: Ain't No Other Man, Nasty Naughty Boy, Hurt, Save Me from Myself
Not my style of music, but man she has some pipes!
I've never underestimated Christina's vocals, shes a powerhouse through and through. However, I feel where this album falls weak is in its production. Sometimes the instrumentals were battling with her vocals, creating a very loud track which can be overwhelming to listen to. I found myself enjoying the simpler,slower songs especially when her voice was more toned down.
Christina Aguilera’s voice is undeniably amazing. This isn’t my preferred musical style, but there’s no denying her talent shines through.
5.74
Yes, this list should have more pop in it. Is this the pop that should be included? No. Stripped on the other hand - YES
Really felt like this album was never going to end. Took me 2 days to complete it
Too long by half, but some good songs toward the end of the second disk that showcase her musical talent and not just power and stretching of vowels. The first disk starts out with an almost gospel sound and moves through stories of love, heartbreak and even overcoming abuse. Through it all, Christina briefly lays out the lyrics then showboats and growls over backup singers repeating the chorus. Side B opens weirdly, with some throwback, raunchy burlesque stuff. Put the final three songs with some from Side A, and that could have been a good album on its own.
Damn, can she sing!
Actually starts off pretty good. She's definitely got a great voice. Good beats. Might have been 4 stars if it not for disc 2 (strange).
So boring. Not for me.
It's alright, just kind of standard pop music from the early 2000's. There are a few big hit songs that most people alive at that time will be familiar with. Some other songs are good too and follow a similar pop formula. Not bad but it's not good either. Probably not something I would listen to again.
Not a fan of 90s/00s pop I'm afraid. This sounds like a typical showcase of Christina's vocal gymnastics. I was surprised at the heavy gospel/R&B influences and hip-hop beats and record scratching. Good if you like pop music.
Top track: Ain't No Other Man / Here To Stay / Candyman
Wasn’t really a fan, but she’s talented
she is a good singer. I like her voice. Maybe I want to listen to her sometime in the future again.
Its hard to pull off a double album. I give Christina an A for effort but this album is too samey to keep my interest. Like most double albums, if you trimmed the fat and released it as one album it would be better. The lead singles from this album are still bops though
The first half was dangerously close to a 4, but fortunately/unfortunately it was watered down by the second half.
Listened to Billy Bragg's Back to Basics instead. Banger.
I was actually looking forward to this expecting it to be a little bit different and I suppose expecting expecting it to surprise me. Unfortunately, he was generally just her doing that screaming thing she does.
Think she had one album I'd listen to. The one in between being an inane popstar and a nauseating pompous diva. This is not it.
Why is this on here
Christina Aguilera•1ooks good and has a great voice. She can certainly sing great jazz and soul. But this album is too poppy for me to really like it. There are 2-3 very good tracks on it that I will listen to again. But most of the rest of the album is repetitive and doesn't deliver anything new or surprising. This makes the album far too long. It's like a novel where the author is paid by the word count. What a pity. The good stuff gets lost in the repetition. 3/5
I don't think this is my kind of music.
Childhood me loved her music videos but current me can't do a double album of mid career Christina.
Awful. Back to basics, yet the most late 00 production. She sings like the lights have gone out behind her eyes.
Not my kind of music but Xtina is such a talented singer. Cool concept that suits her voice well.
Low 4, the circus track to open side 2 was wild, powerful vocals
Pop
X-tina has a bunch of great songs, girl can sing. Not sure what's special about this one in particular, it's kinda mid and it only had one, maybe two hits on it. There's definitely better ones. Side note: someone from The Voice said in an interview that she smells like hot dog water and I've never really let go of that. I wonder if that's true?
Christina can sing for sure. I wasn’t too familiar with this album but it has a lot of good songs. Some were amazing while others not so great but man her voice is just mesmerizing.
muy sexosas las canciones muy hot esta bueno
way too long but her voice is incredible
She has a powerful voice. The music wasn’t for me.
She really is an undeniably talented singer.
Inspired by the jazz greats. Incredible voice. Groovy soul.
Kudos to Christina for attempting to give a musical history lesson to her fans who, by being her fans in the first place, obviously needed one. I will say, had she started here in her career I wouldn't have the hesitation of taking her seriously, unfair as that is. This voice from a little blonde girl is not common, and the tracks here are well arranged to put those chops on display.
I wanted to listen to this after listening to stripped. So far not feeling it. And it’s two discs. So geez is this long. First song was “meh”. The second song is lady marmalade with different lyrics. I love her voice when she does stuff like this. She has the same expressiveness that Aretha has in her voice. But I don’t feel she taps into enough. I would love to hear her do a live set of Aretha. But the band has to be killer. Ok, “ain’t no other man” is fantastic. Killer grove and melody. Listening to this album and hearing the amazing songs mixed with mediocre songs helps me understand how we got to the streaming model and why “stealing” music was so popular 🤣
YUPPPPP
Does she have to put warbling inflections in every note or add syllables to words to show off? Production is dreadful. Jumps from ole timey swing sounds played through a gramophone for no reason to "yo DJ" needle scratches. Mega talent with the wrong team around her.
You know, I almost gave up. CD 1 just wasn't my cup of tea. But damn, CD 2 shocked me in a great way. The style and execution felt like a speak easy in new Orleans and I was definitely about it.
Removed Album #16 (List: https://pastebin.com/cSThNiK9) Poor old Chrissy A. An artist who has had both of her entries scrubbed from future editions of the book. Granted, it could be worse – she could be Kings of Leon. I’m confident I’ve never listened to an Aguilera song before, but given her status as a mega millionaire pop idol I’m sure one of her tracks has wormed its way through the radiowaves. Anyways, I’m looking forward to hearing this one. The last contemporary pop album I listened to was Ray of Light, which was precisely 180 albums ago. All I need to do is sit back, relax and-OH MY GOODNESS IT’S A DOUBLE ALBUM The absolute bane of my existence. I hate the vast majority of albums which cross the hour-ten mark, but I can only piss my britches and throw temper tantrums so many times. I’ll sit my ass down listen. This kinda retro, pseudo-soul sound appears to have been in vogue during the mid-2000s, but it doesn’t move me all that much. I feel like Amy Winehouse should be the only rep for this genre, assuming this music is worthy of immortalisation in the first place. Still, for what it is, it’s a good time with a remarkably solid second half. Pop music is engineered to be as accessible and listenable as possible, and this album was just that. “Ain’t No Other Man” has some good rhythm and vocal sections, though the material is admittedly stretched very, very thin by the time it reaches the end. “Oh Mother” is a polished pop tune. Aguilera’s vocal performance is among the best on the album, and I like the brass sound which underscores the vocals. “Still Dirrty” is pretty good. I dig the funky instrumental and the vocals aren’t half bad. Fun lyrics, too. The album comes into its own near the end of disc 1, which came as a surprise. “Here to Stay” has a good vocal melody, and I dig the funky, swing sound in the background. There’s a bit of a lo-fi/instrumental hip-hop sound on “Thank You”, which I dig. I like the plucky sound. It’s understated, yet gives the song a lot of energy and is paired nicely with the songwriting. The sampled voicemails are a nice touch, too. Best song on the album, dare I say. Disc 2 rockets off with “Welcome”. Big fan of the strings in the background, which go a long way in heightening the grandiose atmosphere of the song. The carnival theming is fun too, though the song kinda hits the crescendo and ends abruptly, which was a little jarring. I’ve definitely heard “Candyman” before. Good song – very energetic. “Nasty Naughty Boy” is seductive, I’ll admit it. Sex appeal within the music industry is usually pretty vapid and unnatural, but this song tickled my fancy. “Hurt” pairs a solid, morose piano ballad with a very good vocal performance. It has those great strings too, covering almost all of my musical weak spots. I can’t check the book for why this was in here as I sadly have the 2005 edition, but I can suffice with Wikipedia. “...Wide range of producers”. Prominent 20s – 50s influence. Sample-heavy. Topped the charts in over 15 countries. Well received, though not really a smash hit with critics. I wasn’t expecting there to be this much going for this album. When reviewing these kinds of contemporary pop albums, I think the question of whether this album belongs here has more to do with how iconic and recognisable the musician is, rather than the quality of their music. As someone who does not care about celebrity culture I am fucked at this juncture. However, if I’m to offer my input these 2000s pop idols may as well have been constructed on a conveyor belt with how identical they all are. I’m thinking this one gets the snub. In place of this album, I humbly submit Daisies of the Galaxy for inclusion on the list.
I appreciate the attempts at paying homage to older singers/performers. She could have saved us all 30 minutes and just said it. Bloated and over produced.
Mycket habilt!
Ikoniskt popsound som ingen annan varit nära med en av modern pops bästa röster. Flera bangers o hög lägstanivå!
Kul med Xtina! Såklart för långt, men behagliga ljud. "Hurt" är en höjdpunkt!
Långt men alltså jättebra och jag hade noga aldrig gett det här albumet en chans om det inte var med på listan.
Very impressive production - very impressive singing, yet, everything about it seems very forced to me - inorganic. The TLC album I just rated was a lot better.
Honestly better than i thought it would be, I was expecting generic pop ahh but this was a lot more unique and innovative than that, the first half and second half feel really different as well. The first half’s sampling is really good which made for a lot of cool beats and instrumentals, varying from funky guitars and hip hop style drums and record scratching which was really nice, paired with really great vocals (which sometimes felt like she was showing off a bit sometimes with the long sustained notes), didn’t feel like it overstayed its welcome as well as the second half feels quite different. Really liked the message dedicated to her fans at the end of the first half as well. The second half was a lot less sampling, a lot more orchestral and cabaret style with even better vocals in my opinion, the intro with the circus style was a nice introduction and then followed by the cabaret style music (especially i got trouble which definitely hit its intended feel of sounding like a song from the 1920’s) and then ending with songs with an emphasis on Aguileras voice which was certainly an epic way to end it. I feel this deserves more than a 3 so overall, 7/10.
When I saw this was a double album, I really wasn't looking forward to it. In reality, it wasn't too bad. When compared to other middle of the road ladypop, I certainly prefer Christina to say Taylor Swift, and especially to shite like Adele, which is music for the Live, Laugh, Love brigade to cry into their prosecco to. If it wasn't a double album, and therefore bloated with filler, I'd give this a 3. As it is, it's a 2 from me.
Didnt finish disc 2. So far, while I can tell it has some uniqueness regarding the combination of hip hop with other elements, I personally wasnt impressed by too many songs. A few of them such as candy man felt like a lewd theater play song that would be fitting for a stage play. Other songs like nasty boy seem to be a pick for music at the time where vocalists were unabashed In sexual expression (another song in disc 1 has her describing her independence and finding boredom in life without speaking her mind.) Some songs are fun and spunky; some songs have beats that are entertaining or good, but i think her vocal style doesn't mix super well with hip hop beats. Overall its more of a temporal marker than a really solid album id recommend to soneone unless that person was just really into theater music.
Didn't like this at all.
Wow this has two discs.
An ordeal.
I remember when her cover of "Lady Marmalade" came out. I was struck by the quality of her voice but thought the whole song sounded neutered and tamed compared to the original. The song is about a New Orleans prostitute and her rendition just sounded like it was from a music class. I feel the same about this album. Her lyrics and singing voice is impeccable, but there's just something that doesn't quite grab me.
Hurt is the best one on here. The rest can be pretty annoying.
3.5 Liked the retro stuff.
3.5. Half star ding for being slightly bloated
It's a long one. Let's get started. Disc 1: It's interesting. Four songs in, the production is good, and definitely intentional. I appreciate that for pop record. Something about the vocal style, I try to think how I feel about it. 5 is COOL. Great production and singing. Very very good song. Appreciate. Nice bridge on 7, which is a good song. But the vocals... A break. Let's continue 8 has very nice textures 9 and highlight as well. Interesting production and great group vocals. Nice synth sounds on 10 11, 12, more rhymic, less to my liking. 13. A slick and sweet closer for this part of the album Disc 2: 1. What ls going on?? 2. A bit messy. Vocal to messed up with. Unclear musical direction. 3. I don't really know what to say. Not my thing... 4. Better. It's still a weird direction musicly in combination with the vocal production. Just not flattering for her in my opinion. 5. I'm not sure if it makes any sense. It just sounds artificial. HURT just seems to fit to her style so much more. Although it's not my favorite 2000's pop ballad (beautiful is better) it's a very solid song. Good vocal performance. 7, once again, has that 'old' style. It's a bit silly, I don't like it. Annoying. 8 is fine. 9 not. This entire second Disc is a tragedy. I think that the first disk is a very, ever a very very good pop project. Intentionally produced, good songwriting and great pace. Many songs there- I can see myself going back to. My concern here, I'm afraid, is Christina's vocal choices. Here over the top style is impressive, I guess, but it doesn't fit many of the songs. It's a thing about 2000's pop, many suffer from it in that era, but something about this singer is just extra. If in the first Disc it's a manageable problem for me, in the second one it's just ridiculous. Most of the songs there are just, bad... And it concluded my listening experience in a very bad way. The first Disc could easily get a 3.5 to a 4 from me, but the second has to push it down to a - 2.
A couple good songs in the back. Overall not bad sounding record just a lot of the same.
A little longer than necessary, don’t think this needed a double disc, but I liked jt more than I expected. That Mother song was great.
She’s got some fucking pipes
Ik heb het idee dat Christina Aguilera hier een beetje op de Amy Winehouse-hypetrain van toen wou springen, met Mark Ronson op een aantal tracks als producer. Vreemd genoeg neemt DJ Premier, die destijds z'n relevantie een beetje begon kwijt te raken en zeker niet zo 'in' was als een Pharrell of Timbaland, een groot deel van de producties op de eerste schijf voor z'n rekening. De resultaten vallen helemaal niet tegen. "Thank You" heeft stiekem een van de Premiers mooiste beats en kende ik nog niet. De vocals van haar gaan er ook goed bij, al zijn de voicemailberichten van fans een beetje een twijfelachtige keuze. De tweede schijf is geproduceerd door Linda Perry, die volgens mij ook achter de knoppen zat voor de muziek van Pink. Dat hoor je ook aan de enorme daling in kwaliteit op deze tweede helft van het album. "Candyman" is een van de irritantste nummers ooit gemaakt. Sowieso is op het hele album het over-the-top gejengel van Cristina, die wel technisch perfect zingt, niet te harden. Hou nou eens op met laten zien wat je stem allemaal kan en zing gewoon een nummer alsof je het meent. Drie sterren al met al, het had slechter gekund.
Solid
Look, I'm just trying to get ready for work. Please stop screaming at me, ma'am.
2.5
1.5
I want to start out this review with what I disliked most about the album which quite honestly is the promotion. For being promoted as her throwback to 40s and 50s Jazz and Blues it seems to only apply to the first five songs on the second disc. The entire first disc sounds like the logical follow-up the *Stripped*, although as far as I'm concerned a few years too late as I think it reminds me more of late 90s early 2000s pop R&B. The only hints at it trying to be a throwback album is some of the backing tracks or maybe samples hinted at it even though the beats were obviously modern. The song where all she does is name drop old R&B artist, "Back in the Day" kind of made me roll my eyes only because the song sounded nothing like the artist she was mentioned. I even burst out laughing at the Jimmy Castor sample that opens the track. I'm like 90% sure that most of Christina's fans had never heard "Troglodyte (Caveman)". All in all not a bad set of songs the worst part about it was the 5-minute Thank You song to all her fans which I guess is nice for what it was but went on way too long and board the crap out of me. ||I had to change my underwear||. Then you get to the second disc, which the first five songs actually sound like the project she was promoting . Unfortunately it comes off very much more like aural cosplay than it does anything authentic. I think having Linda Perry on that particular portion at least helped it to get close to the sound they were wanting because it seems like Linda understood the intent more than the pop/hip hop producers that were producing the first disc. But then you get to the second half of the second disc and it turns into the typical Linda Perry writes songs for American Idol singers. Which is fine. I'm not as burnt in them as most. But it's not anything I gravitate to... and I do like "Hurt", fwiw. Honestly I did not dislike this album at all I can't say I loved it appreciate it is probably more where I'm at but i neither find it essential in any sense of the matter. I would honestly say if they were going to have a Aguilera album on there it probably would be *Stripped* or the debut, but quite honestly there's really not much on this album that really makes it stand out except for what it was promoted for which takes up less than a quarter of the album (6.7) ★★★
The jazz stuff seems derivative, and the rest generic, hut nothing horrendously bad. 2 stars
This is a weird album that should've probably been two separate albums. My feeling is they didn't quite have enough material for the Linda Perry half, so they just jammed it on a second disc. The first disc isn't bad -- it features a lot of production from DJ Premier and Mark Ronson and has that sort of retro-futuristic sound similar to Amy Winehouse and early Beyonce. I think "Ain't No Other Man" is pretty cool. The second disc, written and produced by notable Non-Blonde Linda Perry, is kind of a mess. Some of it attempts a throwback sound similar to the first disc ("Candyman", "Nasty Naughty Boy"), but a lot of it is just run-of-the-mill 00s pop that feels super anonymous. I think it could've been improved by maybe keeping it to one disc and scrapping the generic Linda Perry tracks. As it is, it's pretty disjointed. A very light 3 stars.
2.5
An album of two halves. The first half is an outright slog and the second half manages to be even worse. For the most part it goes for a slim, sprightly modern hip hop feel crossed over with oodles of retro funk and jazz. Makes Me Wanna Pray is a bit of a lazy Lady Marmalade clone but Back In The Day is a feisty improvement, Ain’t No Other Woman another relatively strong production and On Our Way is pretty sleek with some cool crackly vintage piano samples that shine like a crystal waterfall. Unfortunately the album’s style and even Christina’s sultry pipes gets old and samey really fast and there are no songs that really compare with any of Christina’s earlier hits. Wading through this album is a bit like wading through an olympic swimming pool sized block of concrete. Sexy lipsticked Marilyn Monroe looking concrete but concrete nonetheless. The fan dedication that ends the first disc should really instead be updated with audio testimony from all those that have suffered whilst trying to finish this album. The second disc is even more out of sorts what with generic gloop string ballads and the actively annoying gimmicky 40s throwback Candyman. Overall there is a small element of good yet not exactly essential stuff here but the unnecessary double album formatting makes it way more murderous than it should be. And it’s not even in the 1001 book anymore.
Intro (Back to Basics) 2.4 Makes Me Wanna Pray 2.5 Back in the Day 2.3 Ain't No Other Man 2.3 Understand 2.5 Slow Down Baby 2.1 Oh Mother 2.3 F.U.S.S. (interlude) 2 On Our Way 1.8 Without You 1.4 Still Dirrty 2 Here to Stay 2 Thank You (Dedication to Fans…) 1.6 Enter the Circus 3 Welcome 2.8 Candyman 2.6 Nasty Naughty Boy 2.3 I Got Trouble 2.4 Hurt 2.8 Mercy on Me 2.6 Save Me from Myself 1 The Right Man 2.3 Score: 2.227272727
There’s no denying that she has vocal talent with her riffs and high notes and everything, but it’s just boring at the end of the day.
The problem with this album is that it's *just not long enough* .... Fine, she has a great voice but only in a technical sense - kinda makes me remember 1985 when as a stupid kid I very briefly thought Yngwie J (the J is important) Malmsteen was the most amazing guitar player I'd ever heard ...sure he could and can literally still play 68 notes in the space of my 4 but he was and is boring as shit to listen to and that's honestly how I feel hearing Christina sing. Vitally important to note: There is actually a track right in the middle of this endless album that is comprised of / filled with vacuous sycophantic voice mails from fans slobbering all over her HAHAHAHAHAHAHA - So hilariously embarrassing and pitiful. TL;DR: It's just so slick it doesn't sound real, and not in a "oh this is otherworldly/space-rock/EDM/trance" unreal but fake. Plasticine. Maybe it's better than Stripped but ...idk, is it? In an attempt to go "back to basics" it just ends up a platter of very samey ersatz "tributes" to supposed influences and is completely and utterly focused on the vocals in arrangement and mix - just not my thing. Maybe it just needed more fan mail. 3/10 2 stars
More like “back to boring”. Just like Stripped, why are these albums so long?
This would have been a five if it were Christina's self titled album. But this album did not hit for me. I am shocked its on this list.
Hubris can come in many forms, and in many flavors. In this case, Aguilera is a victim of having a pretty great idea and then thinking that it required a double album. Even though it’s not particularly my genre, she’s got incredible talent and on some songs she both has massive hit potential and a fun, often dirty twist on pop hits of yesteryear. But then she just keeps adding songs, and especially ones that are to settle personal grudges or do bland boring shoutouts. The lyrics are rough when they’re not cheeky, and though the second half is a much better fit for her, it’s an odyssey that isn’t worth it in the end.
the second half of this STINKS!!!
Imponerende. Hadde jeg ikke visst hvem det var, hadde jeg ikke gjetta riktig hudfarge ihvertfall. Moro med innhopp fra andre kjente stemmer.
Started rough, kind of faux tribute to genres and a cringy track about soul singers. Improved for a few songs and then the circus side? Weirdly sensual songs that feel off. The songs sound decent, if not a bit simple, and her voice is so great. But she sounds the same in every song and I wish a future remaster would remove everytime she starts a song with oh yeah, or ohhhh, or whoa whoa. It sucks and once you notice it all the time it's hilarious. Like if a singer is warming up, I just need the lyrics, not the mi, mi, mis.
4/10 Pop, just pop. Not much more. Except there was more - much, much more. Too much. 1 hour 20 mins. Tough going.
Kudos to the producers of the first half - they really nailed that soul meets classic hip hop sound - and Aguilera's voice is great. The second half lasts forever though, without anything memorable. I could have done with it being about 12 songs shorter.
hard to rate, i dont deny talent and fushion of styles. some are classics, but i dont enjoy it every day. 2+
This is EXACTLY why I wanted to do this. I don’t think I’d ever have guessed Christina Aguilera would be on here. Obviously I’ve heard her songs before but have never actively put it on let alone thought about listening to her album. Thank You shows that she should be put on the same level as Badu. Brilliant production quality in the album. I get the double album was to showcase both “sides” to her defo could have left off the B-side. Her talents as a writer and vocalist are undeniable, it just is a bit shouty. Still. Rating it higher than I would have assumed I would
I'd give this a 2.8 - saved a song. I really do like her voice.
Holy hell, a 1h 20 min pop album? Well, it's a bold statement, how does it hold up? Well, having listened, it did not need to be this long. I would have been happy with a standard-length album. Also, I am sure her singing is technically impressive, but all I hear is mmmmhhhmmmm, wooooaarrgghhwooooaaoooahhhh. And the title. Back to Basics? This is very overproduced. The songs are dull pop, but credit to her for apparently writing them all herself, although they're not much good to my ears. Back in the Day is really on the nose, it's literally just "here's some old musicians, they were good, weren't they?" The instrumentation in no way supports the meaning of the song, not that it could, but invoking their names for an insubstantial pop song is really strange and unwise. Oh Mother as well is a weirdly literal song. No subtext, all text about an abusive relationship, a strange subject for a pop song. Thank You is a nice idea, saying thank you to her fans, but it's more than a bit self-aggrandising including so many clips of her fans telling her how great she is. Some of the things they say, like, "you are a true artist", "you are able to stand on your feet no matter what", "your music inspired me to keep living": Have these people heard, I don't know, other music? It just goes to show that people have different tastes and can get a lot out of an artist and art which I think, frankly, is disposable trash. I won't deny her deserving her place on the list, but this is an album which earns it based on popularity and ubiquity as opposed to musical talent. Another endurance test album, which the absurd runtime did no favours for.
Meh
Gah - I forgot to give a comment about King Louis Prima. What a bop. This one is more interesting than another 70s folk Celtic get together that sounds like everything else. And she has a great voice
When I think of Christina Aguilera - THIS is the album I think of! The first disc was so good. I would have probably 5 starred - I really loved it. Disc 2 wasn't as good. Fantastic voice and some nice songs on there, but it felt like 2 different albums Candyman is my favourite song of hers, I listen to that all the time. That song is what saved the 2nd half of the album for me Overall I did enjoy! 4 ⭐️
Don’t be ridiculous
Of the pop singers of her time - Aguilera, Brittany, Mariah, and the like - I always felt she had the most soulful, well rounded voice. Not to say that I like her stuff, this genre is not my thing, but as an objective assessment of the vocal skill. That said, she has a good voice with a good range, but after a while it gets old. A double album of this is just way too much. Kind of got fatigued by her voice by the fourth or fifth song. And if this was supposed to be an homage to the old jazz and soul artists, I didn’t see any evidence of it. With the exception of a couple name drops. All in all, not awful, would’ve been 3 stars if she stopped a lot sooner.
I do not like her music.
Favorite Track: Ain't No Other Man
Not my thing really but the second album is pretty good. The first feels misguided and very samey throughout. Weird how effectively the B side is so mich more interesting here. This is a brand of pop music that just isn't my favorite.
It's okay, pop. But not the worst thing I've heard. Candyman was a fun track but the rest didn't really stand out to me.
An hour and twenty minutes of Christina trying to sound black (it's not that bad actually). Favorite track: Save Me from Myself
2.8 3x over several weeks but this was the last one left of the original 1001 (really 1090).
I have to admit that I was very surprised to see a Christina Aguilera album on the list and after listening to it I am baffled as to why it is on here. Some of it was mediocre, some of it bad and some of it just cringy! Not for me.
Could have made it through life without listening to this. Wasn't even particularly catchy.
3.0 - Ok
I got 2 Christina Aguilera albums this week. This one was long, but i enjoyed it. She had fun with the horns on a few tracks, nodding to early swing jazz sound. Her voice is one of a kind, instantly recognizable. Im a fan
It's just singing. The singing is nice, but that's all it is. Got boring quickly.
Poor and bland
This project is missing an editor. I don’t feel like I needed any of this, so a double album is… a lot. This is basically two single albums packaged together: one album where she covers standards over hip-hop beats, and one album of originals where she’s backed by a swing band, orchestra, and/or choir. See what she did there? Call-outs: “Thank You (Dedicated To Fans…)” is sprinkled with audio clips of her fans praising her and feels more self-indulgent than humble. “Candyman” is like a swing version of Britney Spears’s “Soda Pop” but somehow even worse. Is “The Right Man” about her new husband or her daddy issues? Both? That’s neat.
This album strangely grew on me over 2 listens.There is no denying she has a great voice but I’m no fan of the melismatic singing style. Also this would have been better as two single albums. Despite some cringeworthy moments it’s a 7/10 from me. Damn you 5 star rating system
I think Christina needs to go back to basics with her whacky Christian shit. Still, hard to argue that she didn't have the BEST pop star voice of the early 00's. Some talent just can't be taught. As for the album, it doesn't really work without her, and is entirely too long for what it is. The singles are fine, but overall this is a one-trick pony that never strays from the path.
Aguilera’s voice was without peer in this pop era, and it’s on full display here, but I almost always prefer the experimentation preceding returns to form, especially when they’re as bloated as this one is.
4-
Well, I made it through. Truth - I stopped before the end of the first disc. But I picked it back up the next day on disc 2, and it was better. Still not going in my regular rotation of music I listen to. Two discs - too much.
This isn't my go-to kind of thing, but I have to give her props for this. It's quite varied throughout, it has some interesting production on it, and there's some really good songs on here too. The two halves are genuinely distinct, but I think the second half is much better, to my taste. As with a lot of 'powerful' pop singers, I find the vocals can be a bit over-powering at times. That's more the case on the first half, but the second half it feels like they're servicing the songs in a much better way. Although maybe I'm being a bit contradictory, because she absolutely belts it out on something like Mercy on Me, and I really enjoyed that. This album is genuinely quite surprising, as I wouldn't have thought that this kind of thing was in her wheelhouse. I assumed it was all route-one, sugary pop, but there's jazzy showgirl stuff, soul, and melodramatic power-ballads thrown in here too. I think that's pretty impressive, and she clearly has a lot of talent. Side A: 3/5 Side B: 4/5 Overall... Let's be generous. 3.5 rounded up.
Gave it a go and it is not good
Let's get this out of the way - the girl can SING. The problem is that they are DESPERATE to let you know. Every second of every song has her doing slides and scales and going up and down the register and it all feels so over the top and forced. There's a distinct attempt at a hip hop flavor that comes across as desperate mores than legitimate, and the whole thing is overproduced and cringey. She name checks all these great singers of old while tacitly placing herself at the same level - and she isn't. And the final song on disc one is legitimately the cringiest thing I've ever heard. I was so embarrassed for her that I couldn't finish the song. I guess the second disc is much better than the first. The problem with that is twofold: 1.) I was already very annoyed and over it because disc one was awful and 2.) I don't need two fucking discs of Christina Aguilera.
What the fuck is with the hate on this album? This is pretty damn good -- her voice is absolutely stratospheric, the music is diverse and interesting, and everything is so much FUN!! The whole circus thing is weird and I don't think it needed to be as long as it was, but this is a pretty great album overall. Fave songs: - Makes Me Wanna Pray - Ain't No Other Man - Slow Down Baby - F.U.S.S. (Interlude) - Without You - Still Dirrty - Here to Stay - Candyman - Nasty Naughty Boy - I Got Trouble - Save Me from Myself
This is the type of shit I usually can't stand. I can't stand about 1/3 of this, so it's got that going for it, which is nice.
It probably could’ve been a 3 if it wasn’t 80 minutes long
Dad- 6 Mom- 5 Mike- 5 Lori- 5.5 Michael- 6 Miles- 4 Cole- 5 Avg- 5.21
Aguilera turns to that big band sound as she echoes the James, Holiday, Franklin era. Clearly she has a great singing voice but I really didn't find anything that memorable on this double album 2/5
One of the daughters has this album.
Damn this was awesome. Super long didn’t finish tbh but incredible pop music and I loved how sparse the production was. She definitely represents another era of pop singer where being like a powerhouse was the thing, kinda like Mariah and Whitney.
CHRISTINE NAG HE LARA Fun! The production and quality of the songs is super high, and I listened while I was running so didn’t quite catch that on the FIRST ALBUM. Double album for Christina.
Garbage
- absolut nicht meine Musik / mein Interpret, aber es war insgesamt aushaltbarer, als erwartet. Zwischendurch war es sogar richtig moody und man musste einfach mitwippen. Die Bewertung fällt mir hier richtig schwer. - sie ist eine unglaublich gute Sängerin (keine Ahnung, ob auch live oder nur auf Platte), was das Album auf jeden Fall auch carried, denn gerade die Instrumentals wirken nach einigen Songs etwas repetitive 3/5
I can see why Ain't No Other Man and Candyman were released as the singles for this album; none of the other tracks really grabbed me.
Difference between the Christina on this album and the one on Stripped is probably 400 dollars extra.
I came in thinking I would hate it. It wasn't bad. I Woodbridge pick it but it was a fine listen
A concept album about John Major's Conservative government in the mid 1990s. This didn't need to be a double album and the wartime revival stuff was a bit unhinged.
not another long-ass album, christina!!!!!!!!!! god. okay, she's obviously very talented and has an incredible voice. but in NO WORLD did this need to be a double album. the big singles are great and fun and punchy. the second disk was better than the first. but there is just so much cornball stuff in here, especially the really horny songs. i can't help but wish we had some other more dynamic female pop acts in here because there were plenty of xtina's contemporaries i think would work better for this list than this album.
vocals sound good here, but seriously? a double album of generic pop hits with some callbacks to famous musicians in other genres from the early/mid-1900s? and a fan service track?? am i missing something about why i needed to hear this before i die? it's fine at best and at worst, exceedingly self-important while remaining incredibly dull. it's just not for me, sorry christina. favorites: ain't no other man, hurt
she is so talented. take me back to when pop stars could actually sing! the harmonies on “ain’t no other man” were SO good. also she is RIFFING. “still dirrty” (yes, 2 r’s) has an AWESOME bari sax line. it’s SO groovy. “thank you” is honestly so cute bc it’s dedicated to fans and has messages from said fans. they talk about like how her music has helped them (which is really awesome, and there’s one of my all time favorite songs on this album that i think is another one of those super down-to-earth/helpful songs). “enter the circus” is a CRAZY interlude and a great intro to disc 2. this is followed up by “welcome” which is SO cinematic. then i want to touch on the NEXT song, “candyman”, which pays homage to the 50’s/60’s doo-wop era and has a super sick walking bass line. next is “nasty naughty boy” which has a NASTYYY brass line. it’s the best, most sultry jazz i’ve EVER heard. (can you tell i like disc 2 more). the last song i want to talk about is “hurt” (this is the aforementioned favorite) which is HEARTBREAKING yet sooooo powerful. if you listen to any please listen to this one. disc one gets a 4/5, disc 2 gets a 5/5. since disc 2 was INSANE i will round up instead of down. 5/5.
So bad it’s good? Or overrated and mediocre?
I enjoyed Back to Basics more than I thought I would. Well produced; she has a strong voice; different music styles including some throwbacks, quazi-swing (Candy Man). Not my preference, but I would be happy to have it as background music.
Good r&b/pop. Listening to this is prompting me to listen to more of her material. Tastefully sexual. She has a great voice and only sometimes hampers it by trying too hard.
Eh
Great production and vocals; very distinct style
Hell ya
Catchy but shallow is my first impression of the first couple songs. "Gonna rewind to when the innovators were alive"- well, she failed here. There's nothing innovative here. Yeah, bored. 4 songs in and I'm snoring. This album is pretty awful.. I'm not convinced it's Aguilera's best, let alone worthy of a must listen. I think both her self titled debut and Stripped are probably better albums. None of which I'd go and willingly listen seek out to listen to, honestly, besides one or two songs. In fact the best melody on the first half of the album is the one borrowed from her debut album song, Genie in a Bottle, which is used in Thank You. Candyman is fun at least. Album would probably be better if it was half the length. Definitely think disc 2 is better than the first disc.
Amazing voice. No bad songs.
This album proves what a great voice she has. For me it's somewhat of a let down after her Dirrty era.
Excellent production (hello, Mark Ronson), perfectly competent pop songwriting, Aguilera's voice sounds powerful and agile. The marketing of her career vacillated between selling her innocence and exploiting the sexuality she often played up in the music (go back to Dirrty if you want a very Oughts pearl-clutching controversy) but there's no question here that her voice is a powerful woman's voice and not just a young girl's. The elements of hip-hop (samples, scratches, drum loops, occasional rappers breaking in briefly) work but her gospel influences (backing choirs, harmonic choices) produce superior music. Makes Me Wanna Pray is excellent pop; Back In The Day just doesn't do anything for me. Overall, though, this is a much more pleasant high-commerce pop outing than I expected; I hated this genre back in the day and had to wait a day to come to this with an open mind. If you want to know what female vocal pop sounded like in the Oughts, this is as good an example as you might find. Obviously, check out Adele's 19, as well, but this is a good place to start.
decent pop songs, could be shorter, and second half is superior imo
Yesterday's album was Justin Timberlake emulating Michael Jackson. Today I get Christina Aguilera emulating Billie Holiday, which is much cooler on many levels. Aguilera was always the best of the late 90s former Disney Channel child turned pop stars. At least when she finally managed to shed the pop industry trappings that caught her contemporaries. Unfortunately, none of this translates to an amazing album for me. It's good and does what it says on the tin, but it's mostly forgettable. The stand out track is "Ain't No Other Man" which succeeds in bring the sound of the old classics into an upbeat, modern, hip hop-influenced context. Sadly though, I don't hear much of note in the other tracks. But hey, she's clearly enjoying herself and celebrating some great artists. I didn't love this album but I definitely can't hate it either.
Great melodies and beautiful vocals
Very bland r&b that lacks in substance. The second side of this album is possibly one of the most annoying pieces of music ive ever had to sit through 3/10 Favourite: None Least Favourite: Enter the Circus
Day531 - her voice is better than most and the songs aren’t bad just overproduced. my wife would probably rate it better, but alas
Listened to some. She's very good at what she does but I can't listen to it for long! Not for me, maybe the occasional tune.
My rating reflects the purpose of the exercise which is to hear 1001 albums before I die. I already had to listen to 'Stripped' two days ago via the generator. She can sing very well. Great. I get it. Why did I have to hear literally 3 hours of it across 2 double albums before I died? This isn't any different to me than having to hear 3 hours of someone who is 'very good at saxophone' doing saxophone solos to uninspiring backing tracks
Very long, but very good, I was shocked how much I enjoyed this.
Christina is a great singer, but she can’t overcome an over-produced and bloated album. Preemo didn’t bring his A game on the songs he produced, which is disappointing.
Point of clarification because I see people saying the term "pop" in reviews without defining what they actually mean. Two different things: pop production and popular music. Pop production is an entire art itself and there exist absolutely iconic albums with pop production, several of which belong on this list (a good example of one that is on this list is Janelle Monae's ArchAndroid). This album is an example of the latter, not the former. The pop production on this is garbage because it's trying to straddle the line between more classic soul, RnB, and cabaret production and modern pop/hip hop. The producer basically ended up just throwing some cheap "oldie" effects on top of the mix and calling it a day. So if you're wondering why this modern pop music sounds like a cheap shitty old record, that's why! To judge this for what it is, which is popular music, also comes up short. She's got a hell of a set of pipes, it's such a shame to see it wasted on this music. Two stars for pipes alone.
For me, Aguilera starts and ends with Moulin Rouge. Don't like this mix of pop-jazz and hip-hop. Too shallow and simple.
Nice - if you like Christina
A few bangers but it starts to sound the same the further you get into the album.
It has good moments, and Christina Aguilera is a powerhouse singer no doubt about that. But overall this album is too packed it's just not enjoyable. The first disc is probably the better sounding one for me even though it's mostly her givng ode to get inspirations. Then the last song on there with the fan voicemails is kinda creepy? The second disc seems like it's more true to Christina's musical style, but it's just lame for me. I get tired of her yelly singing with the long switchy notes. But that's just me! Maybe I only appreciate her as a feature in other people's songs.
Neo soul, pop. References back to older soul, rnb and funk. Lots of caterwauling gets tiring Bit more experimental/jazz influenced, e.g. Still Dirty Lots of gimmick tracks Disc 2 more orchestral, showy Best track - Slow Down Baby
Mainiota musiikkia, laulantaa, joskaan ihan joka kappale ei osu omaan makuun.