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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 (51) 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:
 All style; no substance; lacks subtlety and, yes, "soul" August 17, 2006
11 out of 18 found this review helpful
What Christina Aguilera has learned from her idols is not quite clear. We know she admires the style and sophistication of past generations of music, but where is it on this album? Although supposedly inspired by blues, jazz, and soul legends such as Billie Holliday and Dinah Washington (who is sampled on the track "Understand"), the first disc plays more like a tribute to a decidely different '70s groove, and the second disc is more of a throwback to an ill-advised broadway/Cabaret show.
BACK TO BASICS is undoubtedly ambitious, but where it fails is more obvious than where it succeeds. Aguilera's voice, which normally is considered a great musical instrument and combination of heart, feeling, and soul, here falls flat. She is stiff, mannered, self-conscious, and the lyrics are entirely too self-possessed. She references her last album, STRIPPED, dozens of times and many of the lyrics in the album seem like re-hashes of the same old themes. There's "Still Dirrty," the continuation of a STRIPPED theme, as well as a whole song with names of song titles from the last albums used as lyrics.
BACK TO BASICS may have been an ambitious concept, but the songwriting is downright lazy. Never has Linda Perry's work seem more forced or contrived, using the same old sing-song psuedo melodies that made Courtney Love's last disc such a bore, devoid of any truly great melody.
Christina's best songs have always been ballads. She just doesn't have the rhythm or sense of swing to make the old jazz really work, not that she really is trying to evoke jazz on this album. Although the music is considered "reinvented," it really has not a lot in common with the music of the 1920s, 30s, and 40s, with the exception of a trumpet section and a doo-wop kind of song called "Candy Man." "I Got Trouble" is a throwback to Billie Holliday, but the songwriting and vocal performance are vague and awful. "Nasty Naughty Boy" was interesting, but sounded more like something Natalie Wood would sing as Gypsy Rose Lee in GYPSY than anything else..
The few ballads on the disc are disappointing. There are only two which stand out: "Without You" and "Save me from Myself." Only the first is good (mostly owing to the beautiful production), but it's not a great song.
The rest of the songs suffer from just being completely over-the-top. There is no subtlety to be found anywhere on the album. From the ghastly overproduced music to the blatant vocal blasting from Christina (of which very little true emotion is registered), BACK TO BASICS is as obvious and fake as Aguilera's platinum hair.
She's no Billie Holliday, kids. She's not even Doris Day.
 AWESOME! September 3, 2006
10 out of 11 found this review helpful
This album is great. It firmly cements Christina Aguilera as the best voice around. Come grammy time Christina will be walkin away a winner. While most people think she has an entirely new sound and is all jazz, thats not true. Some of her songs are INFLUENCED by jazz and blues and its not in a huge way. Its still the same Christina we all love.
1. Into (Back to Basics) 6/10 This song has a bunch of sample and adlibs in it. Christina get a little vain in it though!
2. Makes me Wanna Pray 7/10 This song is very bluesy and has a choir in the background, Does not have a very good chorus, but a very feel good song.
3. Back In The Day 8/10 I think would have been a better song to introduce the song than makes me wanna pray. It has some neat lyrics and some adlibs in the begining.
4. Ain't No Other Man 9/10 the First single. For me i havent listened to it once cause its very overplayed, but still a great song.
5.Understand 6/10 one of my least favorite song on the album. It just doesnt hook you in. But still a fairly good song
6.Slow Down Baby 9/10 A pretty r&b hip hop influenced song. really good.
7. Oh Mother 10/10 A good ballad with a great beat. Its about thanking her mother for taking her and her sister away from thier abusive father. A highlight of the Album.
8 F.U.S.S. 9/10 a short song that was written for Scott Storch who produced songs on Stripped. He decided to write for Paris hilton's album instead of this BIG MISTAKE. Has a great beat and she sounds great on it.
9. On OUr Way 9/10 A great song about always being on your way to something better
10.Wihtout You 9/10 a vey good beat song. different from other songs, almost has a latin feel, almost.
11. Still Dirty 10/10 While most people think this is part 2 of Dirrty, it doesnt sound at all like it and isnt about anything Dirrty was. This is about how people arealways critisising her for being sexy. She call people "uncomftorable in your own skin". Very jazz influenced. A gem on this album.
12. Here To Stay 10/10 Another pretty Jazzy song. It about her not goign to fade away like other singer and how she's Here To Stay no matter what people say.
13. Thank You 8/10 A great thank you. It sample a little of Genie in a Bottle at the benging. Taking clips of the song that apply to her now. Its hard to listen to it a lot cause off all the fans in it.
14. Enter The Circus 10/10 An introduction to the second CD. Its (along with welcome) are about being in the publics eye and being a celebrity. The Circus is like Hollywood. Its inspired by a Tim Burton Film. It has no vocals by CHristina.
15. Welcome 10/10 this song allaborates on Enetr the circus. It talks about people who only like her cause shes a singer and what will happen when the linligth fades.
16. Candyman 8/10 This song was originally ment to be the second single but hurt was decided instead. A very sexual song and very jazzy.
17. Nast Naughty Boy 6/10 My least favorite song. it very sexual and doesnt have a great beat.
18. I got trouble 7/10 Probaly the jazziest song on the album. Recorded with a vintage microphone it sounds like it is really from the 40's.
19. Hurt 11/10 The standout of the album. it will be the second single. she preformed it at the VMA's. Its about someone close to you dying and how you have to deal with it. THe best Ballad.
20. Mercy on Me 8/10 not a standout ballad but still very good, has choir wich is a nice touch.
21. Save Me From Myself 9/10 she talks about how her husband saves her from being sad and always puts her in a happy place.
22.The right Man 9/10 She wrot this song about her wedding day and how her dad wasnt there to walk her down the aisle and how she is happy to have found the right man so her children wont have to go throught what she did.
Overall a great album, the second cd is a little betetr but this is AWESOME!
 Back to what? Christina Stop Screaming!!! January 25, 2007
10 out of 25 found this review helpful
This album is different from "Stripped" which is a far better album than this. Christina over sings on most of the songs. The lyric is dry and wasted. We understand that you're married, but most of all the songs is about her husband. Disc 1 "Ain't no other man" is fun and catchy which sounds great, but again, Christina over sings it and kills the song! The other tracks are nothing to shout about. "Thank You" is not even a song, because it's mostly about her fans. Disc 2 is more like circus music.(If you like circus music) The only decent track is "Candy Man" which is fun and catchy. The other songs just drag on as much as her voice. She has a voice but still don't know how to use it. You don't have to oversing to get your point across. This is not her best work. "Stripped" and her earlier stuff is far better than this [...] you call music. I think she's arrogant and feel like she can over sing a song. Some of the songs come off really cocky like "Still Dirty". There are no true feeling in these songs. It's too arrogant, very cocky, overproduced, and too much oversinging. [...]. Enff said.
Not the basics, but a desperate attempt at achieving them. August 19, 2006
9 out of 19 found this review helpful
No. These aren't the basics. This is more of Christina Aguilera's trademark belting/oversinging style. Granted, "Back to Basics" is probably Christina's best, most accomplished album, but it's also a load of overblown nonsense. Christina desperately tries to capture the big band, jazz/soul stylings of, let's say, Ella Fitzgerald, but comes off as just that; someone from today trying to do a sound that is not suited for her. Therein lies the biggest problem for this album, Christina can't pull off this style of music, despite all her efforts. She's a talented vocalist, yes, but her vocals are not suited for this stuff.
Then there's other times where she backpedals, so as not to displease any of her fans, affirming that she's "Still Dirrty" and encouraging men to "Taste her sugar." Are these "The Basics?" I somehow doubt it.
Additionally, "Back to Basics" is a 2-disc release, which in itself begs for a couple songs to be cut. What's worse, however is that disc to only contains a couple songs, all of which could have fit on disc one. So why disc 2? A video feature. Honestly, why disjoint your album so grossly when its capable of being on one disc? I don't understand. Even without the enhancement of disc two, there are too many songs on here and it often feels like it's too much to handle all at once.
Like I said, this is her best album, and it seems as if she's finally come into her own, but seriously, this is bullcrap. It's far from her teen-pop roots, and a step in the right direction, but Christina should realize what her strengths are, her voice and beauty, and exploit them in a manner to which they are best suited. Unfortunately, this is not it.
Recommended for Christina Aguilera fans, or anyone with time to kill.
Key Tracks:
1. "Back In the Day"
2. "Ain't No Other Man"
3. "Candyman"
2 out of 5 Stars
Solid Album August 22, 2006
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
After four years of anticipation, Christina's third album has arrived. Back To Basics is "a throwback to the 20's, 30's, and 40's with a modern twist". The first disc is the `modern disc' which features a homage to jazz, blues, and soul, and the second disc is produced entirely by Linda Perry and has the 20's and 30's vibe. Overall, Back To Basics is a solid album that oozes soul and clearly has elements of jazz, blues, and classic R&B.
I have been a fan of Christina from the beginning, but around the `Stripped' era I became tired of her strained vocals and her `dirrty' antics. I was a lesser fan than I had been before and I didn't pay so much attention to Christina. When I heard about the direction she was going in for this new album, it caught my interest again, especially the part about it being 20's, 30's, and 40's influenced. This album has recaptured my attention and renewed a bit of my faith in Christina.
As a fan or the 20's, 30's, and 40's era, I wish Christina would have made more of her album sound authentic to that era instead of just a couple songs. But nevertheless, I believe that her album will become one of the classics of our time.
Intro (Back To Basics) - Christina introduces the album and what it is about. She sings about paying homage to the legends before her time.
Makes Me Wanna Pray - This is a gospel, praise song that makes you feel like you're in church and the whole crowd is up on their feet moving and singing along.
Back In The Day - A very soulful track. There is the sound of a record crackling all throughout, and the beat is awesome. Christina names and sings about some of the legends like Etta James, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Otis Redding, Stevie Wonder, and a few others.
Ain't No Other Man - A song about her husband Jordan "Jordy" Bratman. It has distinctive horns and a modern beat. Christina belts most of the song and her vocals are clear and razor sharp.
Understand - Contains a sample Betty Harris' "Nearer To You" and has an old school vibe. Another song that is about her relationship with Jordy.
Slow Down Baby - One of the catchiest tracks in my opinion, and R&B at its best. The melody and the horns in it are great.
Oh Mother - About her father's abuse towards her mother and her and how they made it through. It is like a continuation of "I'm Okay" from her `Stripped' CD, only this song is more of a dedication to her mother. The lyrics are very touching. Musically, my favorite part is the bridge because it contains a great vocal.
F.U.S.S. - An interlude, directed toward producer Scott Storch. It's a shame it's not an actual full length song, because I love the beat and sound of this. It's very bluesy and laid back.
On Our Way - There is a piano throughout most of the song, and it builds nicely from the bridge on.
Without You - Christina sings softly and smoothly on this track, with more lush, pop like vocals. The track is reminiscent of something Mariah would do, and it sounds similar to Christina's "Loving Me For Me" on her `Stripped' CD.
Still Dirrty - Christina expressing her views on being, well, `dirrty'. An ode to her "Dirrty" song of off `Stripped.' It's R&B with a taste of funk and it's got a great beat.
Here To Stay - A jazz/R&B fused track. The lyrics have an inspirational message. "I'm gonna keep on, I'm gonna do my own thing. We've all got a song that we're meant to sing."
Thank You - A dedication to her fans. Christina thanks them, and the song has excerpts from "Genie In A Bottle", the song that started her career. There are fans voices throughout the song thanking Christina and telling how she's inspired them.
Enter The Circus - The music sounds like what you would hear at a carnival. Christina isn't present in this short interlude, but a person talks throughout, 'advertising' the circus: "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, step right up, step right up."
Welcome - A song about fame and how it's not all that it appears to be. "Always taking a bow, always working the crowd...who'll be staying around when the lights go down?" It's sort of a ballad towards the middle, and Christina belts it out quite nicely. My favorite part is when she sings "You're riding on a shooting star". Then the song dies down and the circus music starts again, and someone whistles along with the music.
Candyman - Love it!! It's the most 30's/40's sounding song on the entire album - very swing, very jazzy, very big band. It is slightly reminiscent of The Andrews Sisters "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy". The lyrics are a little naughty in places. My favorite parts are the men singing in cadence at the beginning and end of the song, and when Christina whispers "sweet, sugar, candyman."
Nasty Naughty Boy - You guessed it - this song has some naughty lyrics also. I'm not much of a fan for sexually suggestive lyrics, but this song is so nicely put together that it works. It was made to sound like a live track with the audience clapping and whistling. Christina sounds like she is in a 20's burlesque club, singing this to entertain the men in the crowd. It's slow and jazzy at the beginning, and then it builds nicely at the end. Christina's vocals sound great on this track.
I Got Trouble - Very reminiscent of an old blues record. When Christina was in the studio, she covered the microphone with a rag to create a muffled effect. She even scats a bit in the middle of the song.
Hurt - This is a heart-wrenching ballad about losing someone and having regret about things that were said and done. "I'm sorry for blaming you for everything I just couldn't do. And I've hurt myself by hurting you." Christina actually sings straight throughout most of this track, and employs more vibrato than her usual adlibs and runs. The lyrics are haunting, and they made me cry. "Are you looking down upon me? Are you proud of who I am?" Very powerful song, lyrically and vocally.
Mercy On Me - A confessional song about how she has sinned. She is asking the Lord to have mercy on her soul. Musically, it's very blues inspired.
Save Me From Myself - Vocally, it's a different side of Christina that we don't see too often. She recorded the song up close to the microphone with no adlibs or belting at all. She sings in a soft voice and there is very minimal music. It's the kind of song that makes you want to be still when you listen to it. Dedicated to her husband Jordy.
The Right Man - I love the music on this song. It sounds like a classical song. It has a huge orchestra with no drum or beat of any kind. The vocals are clear and the whole song has a very dramatic feel. It's about Christina's wedding, and the lyrics are very touching. It makes you feel happy for her.
That's all. I definitely recommend this album to anyone who enjoys music.
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