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| Back to Basics | 
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| Artist: Christina Aguilera
Label: RCA
Category: Music
List Price: $21.98
Buy Used: $4.65
You Save: $17.33 (79%)
New (61) Used (52) from $4.65
Avg. Customer Rating:  418 reviews
Sales Rank: 1322
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 2
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.1
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 4.9 x 0.4
MPN: 82639
UPC: 828768963425
EAN: 0828768263921
ASIN: B000G759LW
Release Date: August 15, 2006
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews:
 BAR RAISED. STANDARDS SET HIGH. August 15, 2006
12 out of 15 found this review helpful
There are few albums one highly anticipates, and when said album is actually purchased (at midnight, no less) little does one know that some expectations can be shattered...
More like swiped into oblivion by a wrecking ball.
Ladies and gentlemen and gentlemen who act like ladies, if you thought Miss Christina Aguilera-Bratman could NEVER top the masterful "Stripped," please think again.
"Back to Basics" is the most mesmerizing melting pot of jazz, soul, hip-hop, and sweeping Danny Elfman-esque harmonies (yes, you read that correctly) ever to fall upon listeners' ears.
When was the last time you listened to an entire album all the way through without skipping a track? I sacrificed sleep going over every meticulously-produced song on this two-disc (2!) wonder. 2 was also the hour of the morning when my head finally hit the pillow after finishing this musical feast.
Forget iTunes. Don't even bother with Limewire. Get out the wallets and B-U-Y the physical copy at your nearest retailer. The thick CD booklet is just as amazing, filled with a gorgeous high-gloss photo spread and actual lyrics for all 22 tracks (yes, actual lyrics!). All in all, possibly the best pop album of the year...actually, scratch that; it transcends pop. To simply call it pop would be like calling Mount Rushmore a pile of rocks.
Normally, I wouldn't push a CD so strongly. But "B2B" deserves the praise it has been receiving from reviewers. The standard has been raised. Bow your heads in shame, all you Rihannas/Nelly Furtados/Cassies of the world.
Christina, get your dress and acceptance speech ready NOW for the 2007 Grammys.
Thank you.
H.P.M.
 VERY OVERRATED........ October 19, 2006
12 out of 21 found this review helpful
I just don't get all the praise for this cd. I approached this project very enthusiastically and was very disappointed.
Granted, Christina can sing - she has a very powerful voice but I find each song to sound alike and starting with her same range roving wail. It gets old fast.
If I heard this cd and didn't know the title, BACK TO BASICS would never have entered my mind. A true homage to the greats of the past this is not. I expected a tour de force selection of more modern turns at old time styles putting Christina's range and ability to use. That this is not.
It is a mishmash of songs and now I rarely play it. Also, the song to her fans was very self gratuitous. Should have been so much more.
Back in Top Form August 15, 2006
11 out of 13 found this review helpful
At first, I was skeptical when I heard Christina was going to record a 'nitty-gritty soul' record as she said once in an interview some few months before 'Back To Basics' was released. 'This was going to be boring' or so I thought. Back To Basics is a pleasant surprise. There's nothing really basic about this album - it's a wild ride fueled with artistry, gusto and creativity. The album is split into 2: disc 1 being the sample-influenced hip/hop club ditties and disc 2, filled with collaborations exclusively with Linda Perry who brings a more risque and orchestra heavy sound for Christina.
It is difficult to really pick highlights from both discs but I think that Back To Basics is filled with more sleeper hits that grow on you than the instant hits of Stripped. Back To Basics gets better after every listen. Christina's voice is strong and confident where it needs to, and is subtle and vulnerable where songs call them to be. From Disc 1: highlights include: the gospel opener 'Makes Me Wanna Pray' - a bouncy and dynamic start to the album, nostalgia-bitten 'Back In The Day' wherein DJ Premier effectively samples 'Charley' as Christina pays homage to Aretha, Etta James and Marvin Gaye, soul stunner 'Understand', lush ballad 'Without You' and the tongue in cheek 'Still Dirrty' - a sophisticated horn heavy club banger. It is in Disc 2 where the real fun starts: 'Welcome' has got to be my favorite in the whole album. It's rumbling start, string driven bass line and satirical lyrics about the music business - hard to believe this song came from the same girl that gave us 'Genie In A Bottle'. 'Candyman' is another highlight, a risky venture that pays off and makes you want to hit the floor. 'Save Me From Myself' borrows from Norah Jones. This is one of Christina's best vocal performances ever - I can't describe it, you'll have to hear it for yourself - it's a whole new side of Christina.
The album could actually fit in one disc, but the decision to split it into 2 discs is an artistic and creative move to showcase the versatility, how this album has ambitiously placed itself as one of the most memorable and interesting projects in the pop canon. Christina - the 4 years was worth the wait. I strongly recommend you give this one a chance - you might find a gem of your own.
A TRULY INCREDIBLE ALBUM August 16, 2006
11 out of 12 found this review helpful
Simply put, "Back To Basics" is an INCREDIBLE album that brings Christina Aguilera's credit as an artist to a whole new dimension. The sounds on this album feel like authentic oldschool classics, but they have a unique modern touch. The songs are so organic and authentic to the point where you forget that its oldschool-inspired and just focus on the songs themselves. Disc one is an impressive funk collection. "Makes Me Wanna Pray" has an up-beat soulful/gospel feeling, reminiscent of Aretha Franklin. Of course, one cannot overlook the song of the summer, "Ain't No Other Man" - with the blaring horn blasts and funky beat. Another highlight of the album is "Slow Down Baby" which is another funky dance groove. On a more emotional note, "Oh Mother" pays tribute to Aguilera's mother and acknowledges that pain of her childhood abuse. Then there's the feisty danceable "Still Dirrty" where she claims that she may be married, but she's still naughty. Lastly on Disc One is "Here to Stay". The horn blasts and funky beats make this song's message clear: Christina Aguilera is definitely "here to stay" in the music world, proving that talent is the key to longevity. On Disc 2, we find a more burlesque feel. The second disk is characterized by burlesque-show tunes and some gorgeous vocal ballads. On the upbeat and peppy "Candyman", Christina goes all out with the burlesque theme by using some big band swing music. Next, she tones it down a bit with a slow and sensual "Nasty Naughty Boy". Aguilera then channels through the old soul icons like Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald on "I Got Trouble", which is not a cover, but an organic composiiton that truly sounds like an old classic soul number that Holiday, herself, would sing. Christina shifts gears again and dives into a haunting ballad, titled "Hurt". The ballad is a gut-wrenching emotional piece that simply gives you chills. Then there's the angelic sound on "Save Me From Myself" where Aguilera does not belt one note, making it a very intimate performance. "Back To Basics" proves to be a milestone in Christina Aguilera's career; she's matured a bit, as displayed in her intelligent lyrics and musically, she's matured as well, with this collection of intelliegently composed songs. This album cannot be overlooked; simply, Christina's greatest work so far.
I'd Rather Listen To Joss Stone August 16, 2006
11 out of 17 found this review helpful
Okay, so Christina's back with a 2-Disc album. I listened to it and I wasn't impressed. I love blue-eyed soul music, but this album has no soul and everything sounds forced and pre-packaged. I didn't see anything exciting about this album and while the album is different from what other people are doing in 2006, it's nothing innovative. A lot of name dropping of old school artists just to show that's she's down with the R&B thang. Basically, "Back to Basics" is a pop album with jazz and R&B influence, which has already been done before. Madonna did it back in 1992 with "Erotica," and it was excellent. But "Back to Basics" is no big deal and the songs go through one ear and out the other. Xtina still oversings with her "yeah yeah yeah yeah" and her "oooooooooooooooooooo uuuuuuuuuuuu OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO". Will the real Christina ever stand up? No, because she's still imitating Whitney Houston and in order to get that Whitney sound Xtina always makes her voice sound really deep, like she's about to cough up something from her throat. It makes her voice sound strained. If Christina wants to be R&B, then that's what she should be and I would respect her. But for Xtina to switch genres completely would mean losing her mainstream audience, and that's why everyone is going pop these days because that's where the money is. I'll giver Xtina credit, at least she didn't have any rappers on this album. But like I said, I'd rather listen to Joss Stone because at least she wants to do soul/R&B. Skip this latest album by Xtina at all costs and get anything by Teena Marie who most of you probably don't even know.
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