Christina Aguilera - 25th anniversary of the vocal bible

[Joe1240]

Aug 23, 2021 17:37:31 GMT -5 theflying said:

Aug 11, 2021 6:43:22 GMT -5 felipe said:

Crazy to look back now and see she went from her peak to being considered "a flop" on her next release, and never fully recovered since. She was the best pop artist of the 00s.

I will say, as crazy as the trajectory is, even distilling things down to what’s important - the quality of her music took a hit after Back to Basics.

I mean, Not Myself Tonight is just not good. Is it serviceable and catchy? Sure. But, you can see based on all the metrics that people genuinely didn’t like the song. And Bionic has a lot of good instincts, and I’m not saying it deserved to flop, but a lot of the melodies and lyrics just weren’t as strong on Bionic. That stuff carried over to Lotus too.

I don’t say that as even a casual fan — she was my number one artist from childhood. The music took a hit. I’m listening to Lorde’s “Solar Power” right now, and this is clearly an album that will commercially flop (despite the “look at the sales with no hit!” chatter) — and yet, even though Lorde threw her fanbase for a loop with the new sound, it’s still clearly connecting because the quality is still really high even if it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.

Back to Basics was the last time a Christina album felt totally strong from top to bottom. Where there was that high a level of commitment shown.
The best way I can describe her stuff after that is there’s something…artistically guarded by it. Like, you really can feel how whatever the mess of Bionic was knocked something out of her, and instead of trying to fight back she just didn’t want to play that game anymore. No fan ever wants their fave to be unhappy, but when Christina stopped chasing the career heights, her melodies weren’t as sharp, her lyrics became a little more generic or reductive of something she’d already done. The production *clearly* took a hit.

Liberation was a much nicer return to form, but you can still tell the fight to really GO for something as a total body of work was still absent, even if a lot of the individual songs on it are really strong.

Christina's first three albums are great. The problem I feel Bionic has, there is some good songs in the album but they get lost because the album is so overstuffed. Lotus while it is a much better album than Bionic is underrated, Christina worked with Max Martin on a few songs and they should of been bigger.Christina had a great one off droplet song "Telepathy" that also should of been big. Liberation I agree on while a nice short album is Christina's best album since Back To Basics.


www.idolator.com/7911231/should-have-been-bigger-christina-aguilera-nile-rodgers-telepathy?view-all

[🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲]

Aug 23, 2021 18:36:03 GMT -5 theflying said:

To do a quick addendum to my last thought on how after Back to Basics her music took a hit (see the bottom of last page), here are a few more specific thoughts on Bionic:

The highest quality song on Bionic is WooHoo. Why? It's a genuine bop, with great, tight production, a really catchy melody, well-placed adlibs, and her voice feels strong and free instead of processed and constrained. Above all else, it feels *authentic*.

Stuff like the song Bionic -- which I like -- it sounded dated even when it came out. Was that an intentional part of the charm? Probably. Is it a good album opener? Absolutely. But what is the universal feeling we connect to with that song?
If "Bionic" is the album's opener, it just reflects the surface-y and lack of emotional punch to most of the album's original instincts. Elastic Love, again, you feel like Christina is trying on a costume of ideas rather than actually putting her heart on the line in any of these conceptual songs -- so, because they don't stick, they just feel jarring because you don't listen to Christina Aguilera for any semblance of what this song is, even if the song itself is perfectly fine. It's the same with Birds of Prey -- there's some genuinely interesting instincts here -- but you listen to this song and since the surrounding tracks don't provide extra context to fill in the gaps of what the function of this song is, you're confused what exactly she's going for (hence it's a bonus track).

Glam is like the epitome of everything wrong with this album. Why? It's a harmless, fun, little carefree strut. But the whole thing just comes across so...B-list. Like, it really does feel like a white woman "Yas Queening" her gays in a song -- it's just basic and uninteresting. It's the same with I Hate Boys -- she thinks she's being fun and carefree, but it just ends up feeling surface-y and thus not sticking. It's like she defaulted to "fun" in lieu of trying to say anything interesting, and both these songs are such good examples of that. My Girls, which I do like, still feels forced, like a cheerleader trying to hype up a dead crowd, around a really basic generic message of girl power that she'd already done so much better her prior 3 albums. Vanity, Bobblehead -- again, she decided to go for carefree, camp, and fun -- but looking back, you just can't help but detect that this part of her that doesn't feel like trying too hard is because it's allowing her to stay more artistically and emotionally guarded.

On Bionic, you have the stuff that's high quality, but doesn't connect in the same way because it doesn't surprise us and the concept/execution of the song just feels reductive of something she's done before. Prima Donna (which we figure to have been included because the label) is really catchy and feels authentically like Christina -- but there's nothing new or interesting in here that she either hasn't covered before or adjusts our perception of her. It's the same with Stronger Than Ever -- why would you listen to this (or Army of Me) over Fighter? Sex for Breakfast feels authentic, is high-quality, and a strong song. But: 1) a mid-tempo R&B sex jam has nothing to do with the theme of the album, 2) there isn't any new dimension being explored in the concept of the song, nor is the subject matter saying anything interesting that she hadn't said before on "Get Mine, Get Yours". It's the same thing with Lift Me Up -- it's too generic to connect. Same with Monday Morning -- I like it, but there's no heart on the line, no interesting artistic thoughts here -- it's someone going through the motions.
I Am is the same. On "paper" it's lovely, but it just feels like someone doing the steps of a self-empowerment song. There's no stakes to the song. She sings "I'm asking you to take me just the way I am" as if she's already perfectly content with herself regardless of what the guy says, and the song is like that from the very first lyric.
All I Need -- Again, she's so incredibly self-assured, and it makes the song completely uninteresting. Compare it with Save Me From Myself -- where there's REAL vulnerability and laying it all out there, with REAL stakes in the song.

To me, going from Save Me From Myself to the ballads on Bionic is SUCH a good example of the quality dip from Back to Basics. You went from deeply beautiful, restrained, heartfelt, and vulnerable -- to very self-assured, guarded, by-the-numbers-generic songs.

The one exception? You Lost Me. Why?

My personal theory about this album is that her marriage was really in trouble and I wonder if she just didn't want to get into it and tried to escape into more "fun", surface stuff. I'm not saying this is proof, but this might be why You Lost Me feels actually authentic. I am done. Smoking gun. We lost it all. The love is gone. I mean, geez -- if any part of that is from her own life, that about sums up Bionic to me as an album where Christina's marriage is dead and she's escaped into conceptual ideas and "having fun" over wanting to really get into it. In terms of the song, there's actual vulnerability there (instead of the "vulnerability" that was touted on the other ballads just because she sang more restrained).
There's an actual reason to listen to this song rather than something she's done before.
But in terms of comparing it to the big radio-ready ballad on Back to Basics, Hurt -- You Lost Me starts with the end result: The love is gone and this is how she's feeling. Whereas with Hurt, there's an active situation, with stakes going on -- If I had just one more day, I would tell you how much that I missed you since you've been away. Hurt ends up being compelling because of this compelling situation with stakes for the narrator going on; You Lost Me is a reporting of the current state of a dead love and how she's feeling (confused and lost), and thus, the song just doesn't take off like it thinks it does.

I feel that this applies to Lotus more. She played it way too safe by working with Max Martin and making generic sounding pop music. Bionic, on the other hand, she had at least stepped out of her comfort zone by working with less than mainstream producers. Bionic had a mixture of pop, electro, hip hop, R&B, and a lil bit of Latin. It may not be on the same level as Stripped and Back To Basics in terms of quality, but I can appreciate her effort in wanting to be more experimental with her sound, vocals, and image. Plus, I love the artwork and images on Bionic. Very artsy. I don't think Bionic was meant to be a meaningful, heartfelt album in any shape or form. What I get from it is that she wanted to make a fun-filled, girls night out type of thing.

Lotus was a good album, but Bionic was far more interesting, versatile, and had more personality, charm, and wit, overall. Hence, why I like Bionic immensely better.

[upsidedown]

Jul 31, 2021 11:36:11 GMT -5 Ryan said:

My Kind of Christmas is getting reissued with new holographic artwork this October.



www.amazon.com/My-Kind-Christmas-Christina-Aguilera/dp/B08Z5LSLKM/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=my+kind+of+christmas+aguilera&qid=1627749332&sr=8-3

I'm confused by this cover. You'd think they'd come up with something a lot less basic for a special release like this.

[Choco]

I don't think she has ever even come close to what she achieved with Stripped. It was adventurous, had a lot of variety, it was bold, but it was also cohesive, and felt like a strong body of work instead of just a collection of songs. Her debut was good but lacked her personality on a lot of songs; B2B was overlong and a little slow at times for my taste. The post B2B album are all a mixed bag.

[upsidedown]

You Lost Me is still so good. Beautiful song.

[Caviar]

Happy birthday to the debut era! Birth of THE VOICE!

[upsidedown]

The "Come On Over" video is such a defining early 2000s pop video for me. The colors, the choreography, Christina's red-streaked hair. Iconic.

[schnetzka]

I truly wonder if we're going to get a new album before 2024. She said there wouldn't be another gap like last time but uhh we're getting there lol.

[Caviar]

http://instagram.com/p/CS9385pnjke

[Deleted]

Xtina has always managed to have at least a few songs I love on each of her albums. Usually even if the uptempos don't work for me the ballads do -- Blank Page is still one of my faves from her.

[Exclusive]

Az Paynter 👀

[Mike]

I assume we'll be getting a new performance of "Reflection" at this event.

[Caviar]

http://instagram.com/p/CTGQjxcr9JH

QuEn of pant suits.

[🇯🇲 dollybaby 🇯🇲]

^^ and she looks sooo good in it!

[toomuchboy]

Aug 23, 2021 18:36:03 GMT -5 theflying said:

My personal theory about this album is that her marriage was really in trouble and I wonder if she just didn't want to get into it and tried to escape into more "fun", surface stuff. I'm not saying this is proof, but this might be why You Lost Me feels actually authentic. I am done. Smoking gun. We lost it all. The love is gone. I mean, geez -- if any part of that is from her own life, that about sums up Bionic to me as an album where Christina's marriage is dead and she's escaped into conceptual ideas and "having fun" over wanting to really get into it. In terms of the song, there's actual vulnerability there (instead of the "vulnerability" that was touted on the other ballads just because she sang more restrained).

That's always been what I thought, too. The ballads on Bionic are the only genuine thing there. The maternal feelings in "All I Need," the feeling of domestic discord that permeates both "Stronger than Ever" and "You Lost Me." While YLM is a total mood, I've always considered StE the better of the two.

I disagree with your reading of "Stronger than Ever" though; I don't see that song as being the same theme of empowerment as "Fighter" and "Army of Me" (and many other songs she's put out). To me, "Stronger than Ever" seems like it's talking about a different kind of strength that was formed, one that's more tragic, like coming to a place of feeling dead inside in order to withstand the cruelty the other person in the relationship is attempting to inflict on them--or, worse, learning to respond back with similar cruelty in self-defense--than the pissed off rahrahyouwon'tstopme!! sentiment of those other two. And there's almost a feeling of sadness at the fact that they've become that way in StE, it's definitely not celebratory.

[theflying]

Aug 29, 2021 22:04:35 GMT -5 toomuchboy said:

Aug 23, 2021 18:36:03 GMT -5 theflying said:

My personal theory about this album is that her marriage was really in trouble and I wonder if she just didn't want to get into it and tried to escape into more "fun", surface stuff. I'm not saying this is proof, but this might be why You Lost Me feels actually authentic. I am done. Smoking gun. We lost it all. The love is gone. I mean, geez -- if any part of that is from her own life, that about sums up Bionic to me as an album where Christina's marriage is dead and she's escaped into conceptual ideas and "having fun" over wanting to really get into it. In terms of the song, there's actual vulnerability there (instead of the "vulnerability" that was touted on the other ballads just because she sang more restrained).

That's always been what I thought, too. The ballads on Bionic are the only genuine thing there. The maternal feelings in "All I Need," the feeling of domestic discord that permeates both "Stronger than Ever" and "You Lost Me." While YLM is a total mood, I've always considered StE the better of the two.

I disagree with your reading of "Stronger than Ever" though; I don't see that song as being the same theme of empowerment as "Fighter" and "Army of Me" (and many other songs she's put out). To me, "Stronger than Ever" seems like it's talking about a different kind of strength that was formed, one that's more tragic, like coming to a place of feeling dead inside in order to withstand the cruelty the other person in the relationship is attempting to inflict on them--or, worse, learning to respond back with similar cruelty in self-defense--than the pissed off rahrahyouwon'tstopme!! sentiment of those other two. And there's almost a feeling of sadness at the fact that they've become that way in StE, it's definitely not celebratory.

I should give it another listen, it was one of the only songs I didn’t really revisit when I was writing that.

And yeah, there’s just not a lot of genuine stuff on the up tempos of Bionic.

[Caviar]

Chil

[missy1993]

I loved "Bionic," personally. Great ballads, mid-tempos, and uptempos. My least favorite song on it was definitely Not Myself Tonight, but even that I could bop to.

[upsidedown]

I consider Christina's holy trinity of 'forgotten bops' to be Not Myself Tonight, Keeps Gettin Better, and Your Body. I love all of them lmao.

[Exclusive]

Reposted from her IG stories.

[Exclusive]

Probably a new fragrance 🙃

[Caviar]

Aug 31, 2021 16:41:03 GMT -5 Exclusive said:

Probably a new fragrance 🙃

Moonlight Bloom coming soon!

[Exclusive]

Aug 31, 2021 17:37:52 GMT -5 Caviar said:

Aug 31, 2021 16:41:03 GMT -5 Exclusive said:

Probably a new fragrance 🙃

Moonlight Bloom coming soon!

Chi- Where is the new music?

[Caviar]

Another 2 years hunny.

[Exclusive]

https://www.instagram.com/p/CTqMswYJMhN

[Mike]

Seeing her in Brooklyn tomorrow night! I'm hoping they switch up the set list to fit this event, but after getting the standard one at The Hollywood Bowl I'm tempering my expectations lol. Will be a fun night regardless!

[Caviar]

If she brings out the balloons during LTBL I will SNAP.

[Mike]

Baby the beach balls will be out, accept this into your heart now. Guarantee it'll be the closer. I don't know how long she'll be on for, but I'm prepared for the following:

Most likely:
Lady Marmalade
Dirrty
LTBL
Genie
Beautiful
Fighter
Ain't No Other Man
Burlesque medley / intro / outfit change

Maybe:
Can't Hold Us Down (Lil Kim lives in NYC so she could potentially be a guest as she popped up both nights at Radio City in 2018)
TVW
Bionic / WooHoo
At Last / IAMMMW
Accelerate (Remix)
Say Something
Not Myself Tonight
Your Body (Remix)
Maria
Moves Like Jagger / Feel This Moment (more opportunities for the beach balls)

Long shots / wishful thinking:
Glam
Vanity
Get Mine, Get Yours
Birds of Prey
Monday Morning
Right Moves
Cruz
Desnudate / Prima Donna

Please don't:
Sick of Sittin'
I Hate Boys

[theflying]

SHE DID VANITY! AND SNUCK IN DESNUDETE! AND OPENED WITH YOUR BODY!! AND DID WOOHOO!!

She was fantastic. A great, gayed up set for her loyal fans. And having the drag queens lip to various deep cuts like Not Myself Tonight and Bobblehead.

She did so many songs (though most weren’t quite full length). It was a great show.

[Mike]

My mind... Bolded sections below.

Sept 10, 2021 20:20:12 GMT -5 Mike said:

Baby the beach balls will be out, accept this into your heart now. Guarantee it'll be the closer. I don't know how long she'll be on for, but I'm prepared for the following:

Most likely:
Lady Marmalade
Dirrty
LTBL
Genie
Beautiful
Fighter
Ain't No Other Man
Burlesque medley / intro / outfit change

Maybe:
Can't Hold Us Down (Lil Kim lives in NYC so she could potentially be a guest as she popped up both nights at Radio City in 2018)
TVW
Bionic / WooHoo
At Last / IAMMMW
Accelerate (Remix)
Say Something
Not Myself Tonight
Your Body (Remix)
Maria
Moves Like Jagger / Feel This Moment (more opportunities for the beach balls)

Long shots / wishful thinking:
Glam
Vanity
Get Mine, Get Yours
Birds of Prey
Monday Morning
Right Moves
Cruz
Desnudate / Prima Donna

Please don't:
Sick of Sittin'
I Hate Boys

I misseed:
Candyman