In March, I'll turn 21 years old. But in 1999, when Christina Aguilera dropped her debut eponymous album, I was a mere 13 years old. And while her bubblegum pop days weren't my personal favorite, I was sold on her vocal talent by the time her third single (I Turn to You) was released to radio. By the time Christina had released her Spanish album, her Christmas album, and finally her career-making album Stripped, I was sold on her talent from all fronts.

It's been over four years since Stripped left its mark on the pop world, Christina's career, and my musical life, and believe you me, for someone like me, it's four years too long. During that time, Christina became a blushing bride, removed the assless chaps from her wardrobe (much to my disappointment), and worked on a new, jazz-influenced, mammoth of an album. In the fall of 2006, Christina unleashed that album upon the pop world: Back to Basics, a two disc plethora of big vocals, samples, brass, orchestras, and of course classic pop hits. But could an album so ambitious possibly be better than Christina's previous forays into self-discovery and musical expermentation?

First of all, let's go over all that's good about Back to Basics. Although Christina might make you believe that this is an album that will sound vintage and old school, she'll have you fooled. Because the best part of Christina's new album is by far the pop music we've always known and loved from her. Lead single Ain't No Other Man is undeniably one of the best pop singles of 2006 (even though Cee-lo and Dangermouse get my vote for best single of the year). It's a jazztastic single full of big brass, catchy hooks (in both the bridge and chorus), romantic lyrics, and a freshness that's absent from much of pop radio. Ain't No Other Man's strength lies in this originality. Fortunately, much of the album has the same touch of fresh, new combinations of sounds. DJ Premier gets his hands on disc one, and gives us pop gold such as Understand, a romantic, soulful slice of rnb full of catchy samples, twinkling pianos, and an amazing vocal performance from Christina (although amazing vocals are something you'll become accustomed to by the second track of the album). The song builds into a smooth crescendo that the stiffest of us will be swaying to. One of the highlights of disc one is the hard-hitting Slow Down Baby, a song whose "back to basics" element is basically lost in a driving hip-hop beat, sassy lyrics, and a chorus made for radio. The song keeps in touch with the rest of the album with its subtle brass and of course, Christina's signature "I know how much better than you I am" vocals. Here to Stay is definitely one of the most vintage-sounding of the first disc. The song runs smoothly with soulful brass, deep bass line, and unexepected vocal harmonies. The chorus is among one of the catchiest on the album. Although it seems it hasn't gone over as well among some other reviews I've read, one of my favorites is the romantic ballad Without You featuring a Spanish guitar and sounds somewhat reminiscent of Christina's Stripped track Loving Me 4 Me. It's really nothing like the rest of the album, full of smooth rnb grooves, soft and high harmonies, smart acoustics and simplistic piano riffs. Other highlights of the first disc are Makes Me Wanna Pray, a giant, gospel-influenced midtempo that gets it right straight from the beginning. Christina's huge vocals make an easy transition into the big world of gospel. The backing choir doesn't hurt anything either. If nothing else, the album is evidence that Christina is a genius songwriter, because, although it has its lowpoints, songwriting is not one of the black marks on this album. But as for genuine, pop, guilty pleasure material, disc two's Candyman is by far the one to look for. The Linda Perry produced track is full of sexual innuendo, big brass, tight double-tracked harmonies, and plenty of innocent fun. (Okay, maybe not that innocent, since after all, she does say her candyman makes her "panties drop", but the woman is in her mid-20s!) It's even got a good measure of scatting and a tiny trumpet solo to throw in the mix. It really is one of the funnest, freshest, and catchiest songs of 2006.

Familiar territory for Christina is ballads, and this album has plenty of them to sink your teeth into. The first disc remains pretty upbeat, but the inclusion of Oh Mother slows it down momentarily. The song is piano-driven, void of most of the jazz elements, and features a smoky, soft vocal from Christina. It's not however, a big standout. The lyrical content is basically Christina's I'm OK pt. 2, with a more in-depth look at all her mother has gone through. The song falls a little flat, as the chorus isn't nearly as catchy and the other contenders on this album. Disc 2 is the place for Christina's ballads. One of the most surprising is Nasty Naughty Boy, where Christina absolutely throws subtley out the window. Besides the grainy but boring I Got Trouble, this is the big band, swing, jazz highlight of the record. Christina's vocals are just dripping with sensuality. No big, obnoxious vocals here. It's all soft, seductive, sexy vocals that work immensely well. But the highlight here, without a doubt, is the beautifully subtle Save Me From Myself, featuring a simplistic acoustic guitar, honest and heartfelt lyrics, and one of the best vocals on the album. Christina's voice is drenched in whiskey, heartbreak, sincerity, and unadulterated love. It really is quite a beautiful thing when she tones it down a notch.

That's the main problem with this album, is that there's far too many times Christina doesn't know how to tone it down a notch. The album is, at its best, classic pop and rnb with a subtle hint of jazz and swing. But at it's worst, it's an experimental, narcissistic mess of big vocals and a few trumpets thrown in for good measure. The worst of the bunch is easily Thank You (Dedication to Fans), which combines elements of Christina's old songs and some new "gracious" vocals, as well as "inspirational" messages from fans in which they talk about how Christina has saved their lives. I mean, let's be honest here; I love Christina Aguilera far more than the average person, but crediting her with saving my life? Memo to Christina: You are not Mother Theresa. You're a pop star. We enjoy your music. But get over yourself. The song's not even catchy. Along with two useless introductions (Intro (Back to Basics) and Enter the Circus), Christina even throws in a little interlude called F.U.S.S., which apparently stands for F*** you, Scott Storch. Look, Christina, I think you've had your time to sling mud via interludes on your tracks, but it's your fifth studio album, sweetie. And then there's Welcome, a big, circus-influenced, orchestral, carnivalesque ballad that's just completely unnecessary. And although The Right Man may be a romantic concept, and I'm sure Mr. Aguilera loves it, am I the only one who feels like I'm in a really bad musical when I listen to it? The orchestra is just ridiculously over the top, and the lyrics, while romantic, really sound like a narration about a wedding - exactly what you'd hear in a musical.

Back to Basics is a solid album, that's for sure. Most of the music on it is enjoyable and catchy, exactly what you want from a pop album. I'd go as far to say I think almost any of the 13 tracks on the first disc could go on to be top 10 singles. Even the second disc has major highlights. But the problem with Back to Basics is its sheer narcissism. Two discs? Really? Honestly, a two-disc album is almost never necessary. Even The White Album could have been slimmed down to one amazing disc. So could Back to Basics. With an overwhelming 26 songs (which, by the way, are not even in a very effective order), by the end of the album, you're just tired of hearing about how in love Christina Aguilera is and how in love her fans are with her. Back to Basics, although flawed, is an impressive album. But slimmed down, it could've been damn near perfect.

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Tracklisting
Disc One:
1. Intro (Back to Basics)
2. Makes Me Wanna Pray
3. Back in the Day
4. Ain't No Other Man
5. Understand
6. Slow Down Baby
7. Oh Mother
8. F.U.S.S.
9. On Our Way
10. Without You
11. Still Dirrty
12. Here to Stay
13. Thank You (Dedication to Fans)

Disc Two:
1. Enter the Circus
2. Welcome
3. Candyman
4. Nasty Naughty Boy
5. I Got Trouble
6. Hurt
7. Mercy on Me
8. Save Me From Myself
9. The Right Man

Skip It: Intro (Back to Basics), Oh Mother, F.U.S.S., Thank You (Dedication to Fans), Enter the Circus, Welcome, The Right Man
Repeat It: Makes Me Wanna Pray, Ain't No Other Man, Understand, Slow Down Baby, Without You, Here to Stay, Candyman, Nasty Naughty Boy, Save Me From Myself

Ag-tastic!: Christina Aguilera, Mi Reflejo, My Kind of Christmas, Stripped

Great Music To Play While: Singing, dancing, or loving yourself way more than you deserve.

Recommended: Yes