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Main >> News Listing >> September 2006 >> Article ID 9830
 Going Back to Basics | Type: Internet Article |
| | Going Back to Basics | Sep 14, 2006 |
It's not something that happens frequently. As a matter of fact, it happens only once every 20- or 30-something years. A singer with a voice out of this world comes onto the scene and blows everyone else out of the water. For our generation, that title belongs to none other than Christina Aguilera.
Christina made her debut in 1999 with the release of her self-titled album, Christina Aguilera. At first glance, she didn't look any different than the rest of the cute, blonde, bordering on sexy in a jailbait kinda way, bubblegum pop-princesses. She fit that mold and was immediately thrown into that category. That is, until she opened her mouth. Christina's one defining feature was the one that counted the most: she could sing. She could really sing. Not that nasal, choppy way that the rest were doing; the girl could really blow! That talent immediately set her apart and even earned her a Grammy.
After the era of bubblegum pop finally came to a close, all former bubblegumers began to change their image for sake of survival. 21 year-old Christina did a complete overhaul of her image. She turned from a cute pop-princess into down and "dirrty” vixen. Her blonde and black hair, assless chaps, dark makeup and multiple piercings seemed to scare most people. In 2002, Christina released her second album, Stripped. The album's first single, "Dirrty,” scared people more (the racy video even had to be censored for television). Christina continued to shock people, posing nude on the cover of Rolling Stone and all but nude for Maxim. Despite her gritty new image, Christina's music still found a way to shine through. Stripped sold 9 million albums worldwide and "Beautiful,” the second single off of the album, earned Christina her third Grammy (her second came from her Spanish album Mi Reflejo).
After touring for Stripped, Christina all but vanished from the public eye. She popped up in a few collaborations here and there, but for the most part she disappeared off of the map. Four years went by and she did not release an album…until now.
On August 15, Christina released her third major album, Back to Basics. Always the one for new looks, Christina's new style is a tribute to 1920s, ‘30s and ‘40s Hollywood glamour. Gone are the black hair, heavy makeup, piercings and revealing clothes. It has been replaced with the old Hollywood blonde bombshell waves and curls, siren-red lips and an overall gentler, more mature look.
Not only did Christina revamp her style in fashion, she's revamped her music as well. Back to Basics is a double disc album that finds Christina in a much different place musically. Basics is inspired by the music Christina grew up listening to: old soul, blues and jazz. It pays homage legendary singers such as Billie Holiday, Lady Day, Coltrane, Marvin Gaye, Louis Armstrong, Gladys Knight and, Christina's favorite, Etta James.
For disc one of Back to Basics, Christina tapped producer DJ Premier of Gang Starr to bring her vision to life. Disc one is definitely the more beat-driven of the two albums, mixing hard-hitting beats with samples from artist such as B. B. King, Gladys Knight and The Pips, and Betty Harris. The theme of the record definitely reflects where Christina is in her life at this point. Whereas Stripped sounded very much like a young woman battling some serious issues, Back to Basics sounds like a woman very content and very much in love. Christina's new husband, Jordan Bratman, seems to be the inspiration for many of the songs on the album. Songs like "Makes Me Wanna Pray,” "On Our Way,” "Without You” and, the first single, "Ain't No Other Man” are all testaments to Christina's love for her husband.
Not all of disc one is sappy and lovey-dovey. "Oh Mother” is an emotional song in which Christina expresses gratitude to her mother for finding the strength to leave her abusive father: "Oh mother, we're stronger/For all of the tears you have shed/Oh mother, don't look back/Cause he'll never hurt us again…You got me, I got you/Together we always pull through.” "F.U.S.S.” is perhaps the most surprising track on the disc. After listening to the song, one can infer that "F.U.S.S.” apparently stands for "Fuck You Scott Storch.” Scott Storch, a hip-hop producer who worked with Christina on several songs for Stripped, didntt work on Basics. Nonetheless, Christina wraps up the short song with a simple yet pointed statement: "Looks like I didn't need you/Still got the album out.”
For all who think that Christina has cleaned up her once dirty act, she offers the song "Still Dirrty.” It's basically a notice that this girl ain't gonna change her "dirrty” ways: "I still got that nasty in me/Still got that dirty degree/And if you want some more, sexy/Still got that freak in me.”
For disc two of Basics, Christina called on producer Linda Perry. Perry produced "Beautiful” and several other songs on Stripped. Disc two is the much more gritty, authentic soul sound Christina was aiming for. The songs are backed by live horns, strings and even a Gregorian choir. The disc opens up with "Enter the Circus” and leads into "Welcome.” Both songs paint that old 1920s circus/carnival picture perfectly. Maybe that will be the theme for her tour? Another song from the album, "Candyman,” samples "Tarzan & Jane Swingin' On A Vine” and has that 1930s swing music vibe written all over it. In this song Christina finds a way to be raunchy in a subtle way: "He's a one-stop shop/Makes the panties drop…He's a one-stop shop/Makes my cherry pop.”
One of my favorites off the album is "I Got Trouble.” It has that smoky jazz club feel. The sound is muffled and raspy, as if it is being played from an old phonograph. The song is soulful and bluesy and fits Christina's voice beautifully. "Save Me From Myself” is a calm song where Christina gives thanks to her husband, Jordan, for being there for her: "And when I'm about to fall/Somehow you're always waiting/With your open arms to catch me/You're going to save me from myself.” The remaining songs on the album are all power ballads. "Hurt,” "Mercy On Me” and "The Right Man” all showcase Christina's range and power.
Back to Basics debuted at #1 on the Billboard charts selling 426,000 copies in the first week, making Christina Aguilera the top selling female solo artist of 2006. The album is receiving praise as for unique and truly authentic. There's no doubt that Christina's fearless attitude, innovative style and pure talent will place her squarely among the legends that have inspired her. |
 Source: Ramp Way | |
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