Dear Christina Aguilera X-Tina (Again),
I can’t remember the exact moment I first started liking you. I was never really into pop music but something about your voice, look and bitchiness, I really liked. You seemed to not take shit from anyone and you weren’t afraid to tell people where to put it. Hell, I was even on MuchMusic’s show “FANdemonium” and was announced your biggest fan in Canada (and won $1000, so thanks!)
Let’s go wayyyy back to your self-titled debut album. It wasn’t awful - it wasn’t great, but damn could you sing. You belted songs out like nobody else in the pop generation. Looking back on the album, it did have a bunch of hits and it showcased a brand new, promising talent. Hell, you beat Britney Spears for Best New Artist at the 2000 Grammy Awards and only had one single out. Props.
Then came “Stripped”. This album was a shock to everyone. Just look at the cover art. You tried really hard to break away from the squeaky-clean pop image that was created for you and boy did you do it. This album was terrific. It was an honest and real album. The production of the album was phenomenal as well as your voice and writing. Working with Linda Perry and Scott Storch on this album really payed off.
Next was “Back to Basics” - the album that turned your image around into Marilyn Monroe a 20’s, 30’s or 40’s style movie star. Everyone loved the ‘cleaned-up’ Christina and the album. It was very different from your “Stripped” days and thats what an entertainer should always be doing, evolving. You did it with this one and you did it well. The album was well received and had some great songs on it.
Now after four years hiatus, having babies and getting married you come back with “Bionic”. I decided to give this record a chance. I’ll admit it, I really did think you were iamamiwhoami and was truly disappointed when i found out you weren’t. We’ve already understood that you’re a sexual woman who breaks all the rules. We’ve known you as X-Tina all the way back in your “Stripped” era. I realize the times are changing in the music business and I understand you’re trying to keep up with the electro/dance music craze but this album just isn’t doing it for me. There isn’t enough of your ‘voice’ on here and not enough originality. I’m not saying you’re trying to be Lady Gaga like everyone else thinks, because I don’t think that at all. I appreciate you trying to do something new and stepping outside your own comfort zone but again, it’s just not doing it for me. I don’t think the writing is strong enough and I don’t like the production of most of the songs.
Not to mention, the songs I do think stand-out; “Monday Morning” - “Birds of Prey” and the tongue-in-cheek “Bobblehead” are all not included on the US release of the album. Those are three of the best songs along with the M.I.A produced “Elastic Love”.
I will say, I think the cover art is phenomenal. I’d probably hang that shit on my wall, now if only the music on the album was as artistic, original and as interesting as the cover.
I know you’ve still got in in you - I look forward to seeing what else you’ll put out to the world.
Love,
Dallas
