CHRISTINA AGUILERA
Bionic
2010
RCA
118:56
C
Don't Buy
Best Tracks:
(3) Woohoo
(15) You Lost Me
Christina Aguilera's highly anticipated album is finally here after four (4) years of waiting. The controversy surrounding Aguilera and Lady Gaga's battle for 'who-originated-the-look' has only helped to hype Aguilera's come back. What will she bring to the table? After if we think back ten years ago we will remember that it was Aguilera who came out on top of the Grammy's Best New Artist Category beating out Kid Rock, Susan Tedeschi, Macy Gray and most importantly Britney Spears. Will Aguilera have the edge to be back on top?
From her unfortunate first single, "Not Myself Tonight" we were left wondering if this album would be a total flop. But as usual, we can assume that releasing such a radio friendly first single was probably the decision of the executives at RCA. Luckily, however, that was only one of a handfull of tracks that Aguilera does not have a creator credit on.
When the album starts you are hit in the face with the title track. Where is classic Xtina? She started her comeback album with a weak generic Ke$ha/Gaga fake edge. When you role into the dismal "Not Myself Tonight" one is ready to turn the album off. Did this song really reach the 20's on the Billboard Hot 100?
One song I genuinely enjoy is the next song on the track. Rapper Nicki Minaj is mostly the reason for my acclaim. She brings such a gritty and powerful feel to the track. This song is relaxing somewhere in the 70's on the charts. It may continue to rise. This is the first time of the album we really heard Xtina sing, as sparse as it is in the songs verses. The song is clever vocally and features a strong late-night style beat. It definitely will be receiving a lot of club play.
The next song "Elastic Love" riffs off of the hard driving "Woohoo," but resorts to the out of fashion robotic-sound that we already heard in "Bionic." This song lacks any serious hook and is another track to skip.
"Desnudate" is thankfully next. The song title means 'get naked' in Spanish. The song certainly evokes a sexually powerfully ambiance, reminiscent of her "Dirty" days. This song feautures some old school Aquilera riffing, however I wish they would take it further.
The obvious weak Lady Gaga influenced song "Glam" follows. Aguilera continues her weak interpretation of 2010 pop music with "Prima Donna." This song feels very much like a cut song from Beyonce's I AM SASHA FIERCE or something that would be featured on Danity Kane's first album.
The song "Sex For Breakfast" features Aguilera as a shadow of her incredibly powerful vocal past.
Following is the Linda Perry produced track "Lift Me Up." It is reminiscent of her "Beautiful" days. The song is truly 'beautiful' and she sounds incredible but it is not her best ballad on the record. It seems for a second that we are out of the woods. When you reach the track "All I Need" you've sat through one really powerful ballad and she now Aguilera brings the tears by chronically her thanksgiving for her son, who is featured in the tracks introduction. Thankfully songwriters Sia Furler and Samuel Dixon have taken the reins from Polow da Don and provided Aguilera with at least one great corner of the record.
Aquilera keeps it coming with another powerful mid tempo, "I Am" is a genuine functional ballad.
The next track is my absolute favorite song on the album. Aguilera chose to perform it over Not Myself Tonight on American Idol. The studio recording is just as remarkable a vocal as her live performance. Her subtle vocal decoration commands the albums four (4) and a half minutes of beautifully executed accompaniment and back-up harmonies. You will want to put this song on repeat, close your eyes and pretend it is still 2000. Aguilera should be incredibly proud of this song. By itself this track is an A+
After this incredible ballad the listener is startled by the immature Avril Lavigne-style track "I Hate Boys." Aquilera follows it up with a strange crowded track "My Girls" produced by Le Tigre. Just like "I Hate Boys," this song would function better on a Disney Records female not a nearly 30-year-old mother.
Aguilera wraps up the album with another generic sass-track. "Vanity" is a weak song to finish an ultimately weak album.
The last line of the album is "Let us not forget who owns the thrown..." Not you Christina, not you.
Do not buy BIONIC. You will be so disappointed. Aguilera only delivers on about four songs and even they are not worth purchasing the full album. It's a shame to say, but Aguilera has delivered a flop. You should download the song "You Lost Me" on iTunes, because it really is brilliant. Unfortunately, that is the only song on the record worth having. C
Woohoo ft. Nicki Minaj, You Lost Me (Live on American Idol)
