Singer-songwriter Linda Perry once told Christina Aguilera, "Everyone knows you can sing, but it's not convincing emotionally."This has always been the case for the young diva. Talent-wise, she's easily a nine. However, when it comes to imparting emotion through the song, she's probably a five or a four, depending on the song type. And then there's the tiny matter of her personality, which would most likely garner a score to the left of zero.
Bitchiness aside, the songstress' impact on the music industry remains undeniable. Hailed as the "voice of her generation", she has sold over 42 million albums worldwide, landed four number one singles on the Billboard Hot 100, and won numerous awards including four Grammys and a Latin Grammy award, not that Grammy awards are still relevant. At such a young age, Christina Aguilera can indeed lay claim to success.
After four years of absence, she returns with a mediocre effort that is Bionic, a concoction of Aguilera's supposed new direction in terms of musicality, which coincidentally parallels every current power pop acts' direction as well, and her trademark sound that long-time fans have come to love. It's messy, it's all over the place, and barring the fine ballads, it's gaga.
In any case, here's remembering Christina Aguilera at her best:
10. NOBODY WANTS TO BE LONELY (Sound Loaded, 2001)
What was once a sullen romantic ballad wholly sung by Ricky Martin was transformed into a full blown power duet when fellow Latin artist Aguilera stepped in to lend her voice to save an otherwise dismal second single. While the result of the pairing is by no means horrible, the intended chemistry between the two fell short - it fizzled when it should have sizzled.
09. REFLECTION (OST - Mulan, 1998)
It is every bit as Disney as we might expect - a sappy, self-empowering track sprinkled with cheese all over. Despite the over singing and total lack of emotional depth, this is the song that earned Aguilera her record deal with RCA.
08. LADY MARMALADE (OST - Moulin Rouge!, 2001)
Sexy! Sassy! But definitely over-the-top! It was fortunate that this song did not factor in as much into the movie as it was on radio. Despite that this is a four-piece ensemble, it's hard to remember Mya, Pink and Lil' Kim's contribution to the song the moment Aguilera starts her verse.
07. THE VOICE WITHIN (Stripped, 2003)
This Glen Ballard-produced song is what Aguilera should really go for in terms of output - the production is on point, her delivery is moving, and it's one of those rare instances in which her preferred vocal style (i.e. over singing) actually works.
06. GENIE IN A BOTTLE (Christina Aguilera, 1999)
Even then, Aguilera always wanted to start off her album releases with a buzz single. Genie In A Bottle was the toned down version of Stripped's Dirrty and Bionic's Not Myself Tonight. It's no wonder that this track catapulted her to success. The slick production, the restrained innuendos - it made the radio want to rub Aguilera the right way.
01. BEAUTIFUL (Stripped, 2002)
Linda Perry mentioned that the song's recording was made in one take, and that the unedited version was later used for the final mix of Beautiful. In line with the theme of Stripped, the bare production produced a stark contrast with Aguilera's impassioned voice. Beautiful is so raw that it takes away the glam and glitter off the pop star effectively making it a lot easier to realize a) how beautiful the song truly is, and b) that Aguilera is one talented, vain bitch.
What was once a sullen romantic ballad wholly sung by Ricky Martin was transformed into a full blown power duet when fellow Latin artist Aguilera stepped in to lend her voice to save an otherwise dismal second single. While the result of the pairing is by no means horrible, the intended chemistry between the two fell short - it fizzled when it should have sizzled.
09. REFLECTION (OST - Mulan, 1998)
It is every bit as Disney as we might expect - a sappy, self-empowering track sprinkled with cheese all over. Despite the over singing and total lack of emotional depth, this is the song that earned Aguilera her record deal with RCA.
08. LADY MARMALADE (OST - Moulin Rouge!, 2001)
Sexy! Sassy! But definitely over-the-top! It was fortunate that this song did not factor in as much into the movie as it was on radio. Despite that this is a four-piece ensemble, it's hard to remember Mya, Pink and Lil' Kim's contribution to the song the moment Aguilera starts her verse.
07. THE VOICE WITHIN (Stripped, 2003)
This Glen Ballard-produced song is what Aguilera should really go for in terms of output - the production is on point, her delivery is moving, and it's one of those rare instances in which her preferred vocal style (i.e. over singing) actually works.
06. GENIE IN A BOTTLE (Christina Aguilera, 1999)
Even then, Aguilera always wanted to start off her album releases with a buzz single. Genie In A Bottle was the toned down version of Stripped's Dirrty and Bionic's Not Myself Tonight. It's no wonder that this track catapulted her to success. The slick production, the restrained innuendos - it made the radio want to rub Aguilera the right way.
05. DIRRTY (Stripped, 2002)
Dirrty marked Aguilera's departure from churning out cookie cutter pop hits and wearing the seemingly clean cut facade. While the first single off Stripped, it's definitely not representative of the album's sound. Perhaps, it's even the weakest track on it. Nevertheless, raunchy, rowdy and revved-up songs are the easiest way to gain notoriety. Yes, Dirrty's greatness lies on that extra "r".
Dirrty marked Aguilera's departure from churning out cookie cutter pop hits and wearing the seemingly clean cut facade. While the first single off Stripped, it's definitely not representative of the album's sound. Perhaps, it's even the weakest track on it. Nevertheless, raunchy, rowdy and revved-up songs are the easiest way to gain notoriety. Yes, Dirrty's greatness lies on that extra "r".
04. A SONG FOR YOU (Possibilities, 2005)
This is one of Aguilera's finest recordings to date. Her voice has never sounded so pristine, and with Herbie Hancock's arrangement, it just showcased what she can really do with her pipes. Despite all of its technical accolades, Aguilera has yet to perfect that matter of imbuing the song with heart.
This is one of Aguilera's finest recordings to date. Her voice has never sounded so pristine, and with Herbie Hancock's arrangement, it just showcased what she can really do with her pipes. Despite all of its technical accolades, Aguilera has yet to perfect that matter of imbuing the song with heart.
03. PERO ME ACUERDO DE TI (Mi Reflejo, 2000)
"Then I remember you," she sings. The listeners, weep. For someone who doesn't speak Spanish, Pero Me Acuerdo De Ti easily ranks as the best track off her Latin album, and one of her most solid efforts to date.
"Then I remember you," she sings. The listeners, weep. For someone who doesn't speak Spanish, Pero Me Acuerdo De Ti easily ranks as the best track off her Latin album, and one of her most solid efforts to date.
02. FIGHTER (Stripped, 2003)
This marks the first time that Aguilera dabbled with rock and she sounds sincerely forceful and raw over the splendid guitar riffs of Ex-Chili Pepper Dave Navarro. She lets loose with her vertigo-inducing vocals towards the end. It's intensely awesome.
This marks the first time that Aguilera dabbled with rock and she sounds sincerely forceful and raw over the splendid guitar riffs of Ex-Chili Pepper Dave Navarro. She lets loose with her vertigo-inducing vocals towards the end. It's intensely awesome.
01. BEAUTIFUL (Stripped, 2002)
Linda Perry mentioned that the song's recording was made in one take, and that the unedited version was later used for the final mix of Beautiful. In line with the theme of Stripped, the bare production produced a stark contrast with Aguilera's impassioned voice. Beautiful is so raw that it takes away the glam and glitter off the pop star effectively making it a lot easier to realize a) how beautiful the song truly is, and b) that Aguilera is one talented, vain bitch.
2 comments:
she's ok but i don't like her over singing of every single note. yay!
fighter is a great song btw. :D
di ka talaga papipigil sa pagpost para sa iyong 307th most favorite singer!!! hahahaha
Post a Comment