The synopsis of Aguilera's declining career is a predictable one. She takes time to find inspiration in her life to create music but the wait for each record is so long and awkwardly timed that by the time the album comes out, she's behind on Pop Music's most relevant artists. Spears has stayed relevant due to her transformation of Bubblegum Queen to Pop's most loved Dub-step lover. In actuality, Britney's music, no matter how much she has contributed into it, has become the most influential style this decade has had so far. While other Queens such as Madonna and Janet stray from artistic integrity these days,  Britney has never been so critically acclaimed for her forward thinking.
                    So it's only fitting that Aguilera's 2-disk Back to Basics is her finest moment. Her third studio effort in between 7 years, the Hi-Fi album combines old-school genres such as Blues, Jazz and 90's Hip-Hop beats with "a modern twist" as Aguilera likes to put it. Disk 1 is masterful; never dull moment, it includes powerful love anthems like the top ten hit "Ain't No Other Man" and the Gospel-influenced "Makes Me Wanna Pray." "Back In The Day" is an ode to Etta James and other legends. "Oh Mother" is a sweet mid-tempo ballad about Aguilera's well-known abusive past. Then there's the album's final half: beginning with stylish Hip-Hop ballads ("On Our Way" and "Without You") and ending the album on a big, brash note ("Still Dirrty" and "Here To Stay" is the album's most loud moments), Aguilera has never sounded so comfortable with a producer. Her and DJ Premier, the album's main collaborator, have extreme chemistry.
                     On the other hand, Disk 2 is almost useless, an entire 30-minute set with ballad after ballad and Linda Perry-produced schmaltz. Though it contains the soaring "Hurt" and "Candyman," a fantastic Pop dose of the 50's, the circus theme just doesn't fit with Disk 1's perfect Hip-Hop confection. Aguilera's voice has never sounded so crafted and pure, although this doesn't help the fact that at 2 disks, Back To Basic's shining light dims as Disk 2 begins. By the time it ends, you've wasted an extra 30 minutes listening to ill-guided Circus themes and piano ballads. Back To Basics is a decent whole effort. Granted, it would have been absolutely masterful at only 1 disk; less would be indeed more this time for Ms. I-Am-Legendtina.


1. Back To Basics (intro)
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 Sty
13. Thank You (Dedication To Fans)
___

1. Enter The Circus (intro)
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

RATING: 3.5/5 

Recommended: Yes