blindsider's Full Review: Stripped by Christina Aguilera
It was noticed by many, and overlooked by few. When Christina Aguilera released Stripped in October 2002, she made an enormous statement. Not only did this album show that there's much more to Christina than revealing clothes and genies in bottles, it's such a strikingly honest album. Nothing is held back lyrically. Nothing is held back vocally. The words spoken in the introduction track ring true: "No hype. No pretense." Anyone who stereotypes this is a typical late '90s bubblegum pop record is unbelievably wrong.
Where to start? I'm honestly not sure. Ever since her arrival on the music scene back in 1999, Christina has been deemed many times as 'the little girl with the big voice'. That may be the best description for her I've ever heard. No need for any elaborate introduction - Christina's talent will make itself evident immediately after you hear her. Her vocal range is massive, sure -- but what's really so big about Christina's voice is the untouchable emotion.
The obvious reason why the emotion is so apparent on Stripped, but not on her self-titled debut? Christina did most of the songwriting this time around. I often compare Stripped to an autobiography in the form of song. Intensely personal lyrics carry most of these wonderful songs, but don't start thinking that Ms. Aguilera takes herself too seriously: "Infatuation" and "Dirrty" showcase Stripped's fun, party-vibe.
One of the main themes on Stripped is, quite bluntly, being head-over-heels in love. In beautiful ballads like "Loving Me 4 Me", Christina sounds like a miniature Mariah Carey as she trills along over a smooth, hypnotic R&B beat. "Impossible" features the songwriting, piano, and vocal talents of Alicia Keys, and their talents predictably work wonderfully together.
What still blows me away the most, though, is the piano-driven, mournful, almost jazzy "Walk Away". Think again if you're expecting "Boy, I want you back 'cause I'm cryin' and sad" lyrics. Instead, Christina laments like this: "I keep going right back...to the one thing...that I need...to walk away from." Her words are beautifully intoned -- stretched out and every heavy emotion can be felt. It's about a dependency, one that has gotten so sick and out of control that it simply takes a toll on a person.
Another main topic explored on Stripped is that of self-confidence and self-image. Perhaps the best known song in this category is "Beautiful". What is most touching about this song is that it is SIMPLE. Nothing is overdone, but Christina sounds amazing and the contrast between her passionate voice and the stripped-down lyrics and nearly bare accompaniment is wonderful. "The Voice Within" is a similarly inspirational ballad, and it wouldn't be too much of a stretch to compare it to early Mariah Carey or Whitney Houston stuff -- especially lyrically. "When there's no one else / look inside yourself / like your oldest friend, trust the voice within," Christina cries.
"Make Over" seems to me like it would fit in better on a Pink album -- Christina's voice is too raspy and distorted here for my taste in this rushed, uptempo song. "Underappreciated" is a stronger showcase of Christina's rough side. It's a catchy, funky song in which she lashes out against a man who doesn't give her the credit she deserves. "Cruz" is a refreshing song about letting go of old ties and just getting away for a while. "Celebrating a fantasy come true / packing all my bags, finally on the move," Christina explains.
What seems to be the biggest excerpt out of Christina's proverbial diary is "I'm OK". It deals with violence -- both physical and verbal -- in the household, and obviously hits hardest to those of us who directly relate. "Bruises fade, father / but the pain remains the same / I still remember how you kept me so afraid / ...every morning when I wake / I look back at yesterday / I'm OK." Every word Christina delicately sings feels like something that I've wanted to write in my journal so many times, but couldn't get out. This isn't exactly a song I'd randomly choose to listen to for fun, but it's beautiful, touching, and incredibly sad.
"Get Mine, Get Yours" lightens the mood with its bouncy, seductive rhythms and "no-strings" attitude toward casual sex. "Dirrty", the well-known single featuring rapper Redman, is a club favorite but certainly is not the best representative of Stripped's sound. "Keep On Singin' My Song" closes Stripped out perfectly. It is a gospel-tinged song with defiant vocals and unbelievable melodies, and seems to summarize the album up well by acknowledging that difficult times will be had, but it is important to keep an inner peace.
Stripped will always be a special album to me, and I doubt that I'll ever stop relating to some of these songs. It's natural that people often gravitate to music that they relate to, and the fact that Christina Aguilera is equipped with an impressive set of lungs only adds to the appeal. Just like a diary or an autobiography, Stripped is easy to immerse yourself into and flips the bubble-gum pop stereotypes on their respective heads. Let go of whatever misconceptions you may have about Christina and give this incredible album a chance.
True to its title, Stripped, the audacious new RCA Records release from Christina Aguilera, strips away the last remnants of her previous teen idol pe...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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