Back to Basics

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
iBack to Basics/i, Christina Aguilera's first disc in four years, refines and clarifies the--let's call it "sexy"--aura surrounding this platinum firebrand. Here, the best belter in a class that counts Jessica Simpson and Britney Spears on its roll call has turned her attention to love songs: the supercharged and ubiquitous first single "Ain't No Other Man," for one, and the hushed stunner "Save Me from Myself" for another. That doesn't mean she's foresworn being nasty, though. Dive deep into this set, past the gorgeous crackle that frames the old-school jazz-, blues-, and soul-inspired tracks on the first disc, and you'll reach a playful and familiar raunch; "Candyman" celebrates a "one-stop shop" who "makes the panties drop" to a boogie-woogie beat, and "Nasty Naughty Boy" sends out a heated, big-beated invitation to "sip on my champagne/Cause I'm gonna give you a little taste/Of the sugar below my waist." Thoughtful listeners should snap out of their fascination with Xtina's undiminished yet newly un-tramp-like sexuality, though, because what they'll really want to focus on throughout these 22 tracks is the honest-to-God artistry. While the rock producer Linda Perry helps disc two pop in interesting and unexpected ways (check the muffled blues number "I Got Trouble" and "Mercy on Me," an obvious nod to Fiona Apple), DJ Premier, a mainstay on Jay-Z and Nas projects, pipes a batch of aural high-fives into the nostalgia-bitten first disc (the deep-down funk of "Back in the Day," the strut-strut early hip-hop sound of "Still Dirrty"). Their nudges aside, though, iBack to Basics/i is all Aguilera's baby--she executive-produced, and she's found herself artistically. Nobody would argue, in fact, if she swiveled around the chorus to "Ain't No Other Man," written for her husband, and aimed it at herself: "You got soul, you got class/You got style, you're bada--." i--Tammy La Gorce/i

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Customer reviews

review by: scifihorror fan date: 2009-01-18 rating:
~Back to Basics~
Christina Aguilera is a one in a million artist, through her debut album she crafted a very old-school bubblegum pop mood which i didn't perticularly find interesting enough for me to become a fan, however Stripped was an entirely different album and altogether was a far more deeper and rythemetic album which reflected blues and RnB as her influence which eternally expressed Xtina's creativity with lyrics and balanced some incredibly deep and moving songs. br /Chritina made the right move to pull a new dynamic out of the bag with this stunning album...to go back to her musical roots and establish her fetish for 20's and 30's style music and the result is very exceptional indeed . br /crammed with 22 tracks spanned over two splendid discs, there are no fillers but instead some great introduction numbers and excellently 'belted' and produced songs which tested producers mark Ronson and writer Linda Perry...but together they have made one of the best albums of that year that so far has stood the 3 years since its release and is Aguilera's most triumphant and acclaimed album. br /Stripped was a minor dissappointment production wise...Back To Basics however is one of my 25 top albums. br /there are too many tracks to favour, they're all brilliant with excellent beats and 4 splendid singles. br / br /the tracklist- br /DiSc One- br /intro(Back To Basics-sets the standard for this set-10/10. br /Makes Me Wanna Pray-a genuinly thrilling song that expresses a new and unusual style for Aguilera...it poses her stunning vocal range over a rythmetic soul choir,this song is by far one that stands out on this album and should have made a fantastic single release-10+/10 br / br /Back In The Day-another stunning track which makes for a slower unwinding pace but ultimately is genuinly expressive while ultimately has its own style to establish itself as one of the greats of the album,overall this song is a perfect melody.10/10 br / br /Ain't No Other Man-if you haven't been living under a rock you will understand that this was the lead single of Back To Basics and it set the tone for what this album would be like,while this was a brave descision for a lead single of such an epic album this song can stand its own ground to be a genuine classic song of the new millenium.10/10 br / br /Understand-another uniquely paced song with repetitive soulful retro styled vocals as a basis for this masterful song,"I'll make you understand".10/10 br / br /Slow Down Baby-a funky beat with assisted jive and rapping to mould the songs power together that is a feel good song and utimately a star of disc one.10/10 br / br /Oh Mother-STUNNING,fantastic rythm that doesn't transform into a ballad yet ultimately is strong and dependant and possibly my fave song by Christina,certainly my favourite of the album(which is tough),it is an extremely personal affair of a song with an awe inspiring chorus.10+/10 br / br /F.U.S.S-a fun semi-filler track that is reaching out to Scott Storch who failed to help produce some songs for this album and ultimately she did it without him,good girl.9/10 br / br /On Our Way-as you've possibly guessed it this is a genuinely great song on the album and ultimately is satisfying upon every listen.10/10 br /Without You-while slower in paced it stands it's own ground.9/10 br / br /Still Dirrty-a sequel to the controversial song from Stripped,ultimately this is a far more fun interpretation of the song with independant lyrics and a funky little beat,a favourite of mine from the album,great use of bass and trumpets to create this song.10/10 br / br /Here To Stay-and ultimately this song proves exactly why Aguilera is in fact here to stay forever more.10/10 br /Thank You-dedicated to all fans which shows portions of phone calls to Aguilera showing how she has influenced them to do good and Aguilera singing around the basis of the messages.a fantastic end to disc one. br / br /dIsc TwO- br / br /Enter The Circus-eerie lead track with Linda Perry as a host for this intro track adding to the unsettling yet fantastic atmosphere of this melody,this is one of the best intro's Aguilera and Perry have composed and stands it's ground in its own right generating a very creepy atmosphere yet fun too.10+/10 br / br /Welcome-a great follow on from the intro with a fantastically powerful song from Aguilera.10/10 br / br /Candyman-my favourite single by Aguilera,while out of place on the second disc it is a highlight and is the most successful release from the album with grammy nominations and top ten worldiwide smash,fantastic feel good casually seductive song with a cheery melody.10+/10 br / br /Nasty Naughty Boy-this may be the most raunchy song on the album reflecting a burlesque style attitude and conveys a more erotica style formation of a song.10/10 br / br /I Got Trouble-amazing song that shows a more dated effect with its style like you were actually listening to it being beamed out from a gramophone.10/10 br / br /Hurt-the most beautiful and breathtaking song since Beautiful,ultimately this is a strong performance and was a success single release.10+/10 br / br /Mercy On Me-shows the more slower pace of the album,yet the weight of Aguileras vocal performance shows just how stunning her rane actually is.10/10 br / br /Save me From Myself-a highlight of the second disc,more like a ballad if anything,very weighty and reaches for the heart strings.10/10 br / br /The Right Man-and ultimately we come to the end of Aguileras most accomplished,acclaimed and perfect album thus far.10/10 br / br /Back To Basics is a far more artistic album than Stripped ever was which is why this is on my top 25 album ever list,makes me proud to be a fan of her music. br / br /this summer she will release a more future disco/electronic dance style album,Aguilera will be taking inspiration from popular culture and artist Andy Warhol,and to add to it she will reference Japan in the art of the album to create a more unique fun and far fetched experience like none of her albums have ever reached,i really cannot wait for her 4th release,hopefully it will be in the style of Britney's stunning spectacle that is CIRCUS!,or possibly even more special. br /Back To Basics is recommended to all who love a good time and those who love retro style swanky music and occasional ballads.

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review by: Hip Hop Head date: 2007-09-21 rating:
Old school with a modern twist
I have to admit, i wasn't a big fan of Christina when she first came out. I thought she would just turn out to be a typical bubble-gum pop icon. However this album has proved me wrong. In a word, this album is AMAZING!! When i was growing up my parents would always be playing old soul and blues music, which i loved, this album is like a tribute to that style of music. I think other artists these days should go Back to Basics, and make good listening music rather than just club tracks all the time. Stand out tracks include: Makes me wanna pray, Back in the day, Ain't no other man, Understand and Mercy On Me.

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review by: date: 2007-09-06 rating:
FANTASTIC ALBUM AND VERY UNDER-RATED!!!
Once again Christina has pulled off another great album. Unlike most, she takes her time during the creation of the album and doesn't just release any old tripe. br / br /Granted, it's not as good as 'Stripped' but I much preferred that era. But this album is worth EVERY penny. Amazing album, amazing songs and amazing vocals. br / br /Very under-rated as far as reviews go, but the fan response has been brilliant... and I guess that's what matters!

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review by: date: 2007-07-13 rating:
Back To Basics
This is a good album the best tracks are the singles and still dirty slow down baby i got trouble and welcome! this was her first album to get to #1 in the uk charts! 8/10 buy it oh yeah i think she should do a song with ray from the X-Factor!


review by: date: 2007-07-08 rating:
back to basics
wow what a album, it has a touch of 40s glamour and is great, its fresh,original and one of my favs!!!! br /buy it because its amazing br /

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