Christina Aguilera's New Album: Great Cover but the songs. . .- Page 2

[blueroses]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 3:22pm

It is a great looking cover.

[wyou17]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 3:34pm

"In general, I like the single but I get the same feeling from it as most of her other signature material. The thing that is really going to prevent Christina from taking the step towards being a "special" performer is the fact that she seems unwilling to go a bit low key and really emote a song. Even her "closer to tender ballads" have a tendency to display 30 seconds or so of vocal grandstanding and riffing. Riffing has it's place and we get that she has a powerful voice, I just wish she'd get past that and focus more on singing rather than "showing off."

EXACTLY, Patronus! She can sing. There is ability. But she won't reign it in. Listen to her sing at last. She talks about what an inspriration Etta James is, and then riffs over the song to the point of ignoring lyrics, phrasing, intent, melody...it is disappointing, because it could be so much better.

And I also recall hearing there would be standards in this release in the initial press. The whole "Old School" "Hollywood Glam" "Marilyn Monroe" concept has become a pretty superficial one. As someone brought up in another thread, every designer on Project Runway seems to pull the "very old school, Hollywood glam" card. Then there is no follow through. Trendy answer. But I don't hear it, no matter how pretty you do her hair or dress her up, in the MUSIC. I don't see what any part of Ain't No Other Man has to do with the image they seem to want for this album. The theme is all pictures, no music.

[blueroses]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 3:38pm

"EXACTLY, Patronus! She can sing. There is ability. But she won't reign it in. Listen to her sing at last. She talks about what an inspriration Etta James is, and then riffs over the song to the point of ignoring lyrics, phrasing, intent, melody...it is disappointing, because it could be so much better."

Thank you!

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 3:39pm

I distinctly hear the fusion of old school and new school in "Aint No Other Man". And it was evident in her performance on the MTV Movie Awards. I welcome that pop fusion. I also hope there are some simple, old school ballads/uptempos on the 2nd CD of the album.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 3:45pm

Just wait until you hear "Candyman." You could swear that the Andrew Sisters time traveled to the 21st century and sang this song. LOVE IT!

And "I Got Trouble" (which can be heard at the beginning and end of the video for "Ain't No Other Man") sounds very authentic to the old Billy Holliday records. Before passing judgement, just wait to hear the whole cd first.

[wyou17]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 4:03pm

I for one would VERY GLADLY WELCOME being proven wrong in my assessment. She can sing. I like her voice. I would just like some controll. If this new CD has more singing and less vocal exercises set to accompaniment, I'm all for it.

I always think of the episode from the first season of The Osbournes. They are sitting together for Christmas dinner, and Kelly starts talking about Christina's Christmas album. Without ever implying that she is a bad singer, she discusses the EXCESSIVE riffing where not needed...

"Jiiii-iiiiiiii-iiiiiiiiiiii-iiiiiiingleeeee.
Beeeeeee-eeeeeeeeee-eeeeeeee-eeeeelllllllllls."

Always makes me laugh.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 4:06pm

Oh yeah, her Christmas cd was almost completely ruined by all that riffing. I give you that (and that Osbourne episode had me cracking up). If you don't like it, then that is your opinion . . . but like you said, just give the album a chance.

Updated On: 8/14/06 at 04:06 PM

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 4:08pm

Thanks wyou! I also hope I am wrong and this is a great album. I do like her voice a lot when she pulls it in a bit.

I am definitely going to give the album a chance.

Speaking of which - where is the cheapest place you've seen advertised to buy it tomorrow? Best Buy is $12.98. Anyone else seen it any cheaper? I'll likely just iTunes it.
Updated On: 8/14/06 at 04:08 PM

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 4:12pm

Circuit City is doing $11.99

[Patronus]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 4:15pm

Wow. iTunes is $15.99?! Circuit City it is.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 4:18pm

$15.99 is still a good price, considering it's a double disk with 22 songs in all. But, I am going to try Walmart first tomorrow (since it is just down the road from me) and if it is more expensive than Best Buy/Circuit City, then I will go to one of them.

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 6:44pm

Hmmm, I have an advance of this, and I'm somewhere in the middle. It has a few good, catchy tunes, but an awful lot of it is very tacky ("Still Dirrrty," anyone?). I had high hopes for this album, but it's just...OK.

[aspen]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 7:16pm

Am I the only one here who doesn't groan when I hear someone riff it up? I mean, I understand all the frills and trills aren't right for some songs, but (mainly in R&B) I like to hear a song with plenty of soul and a nice buildup to an incredible vocal run. I think some people have become "riff-weary" in the face of singers like Mariah Carey and Christina, and now it pisses them off any time they hear someone straying from the written note.

I just had an argument with a teacher today about this. I was listening to my iPod and Shoshana's "Ain't No Way" came on and my teacher blew a gasket saying 'this girl' had ruined the Aretha Franklin standard (whatev, Sho totally did that song justice) and people today had no appreciation for classic blahblahblah. Ironically, the next song on my playlist was Aretha's "Son of a Preacher Man" :) Stupid professors.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 10:07pm

I think "Still Dirrty" is great myself. But, let us know what you think of the rest.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 10:14pm

I love her clean and dirrty.

[blueroses]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 10:18pm

"Am I the only one here who doesn't groan when I hear someone riff it up? I mean, I understand all the frills and trills aren't right for some songs, but (mainly in R&B) I like to hear a song with plenty of soul and a nice buildup to an incredible vocal run. I think some people have become "riff-weary" in the face of singers like Mariah Carey and Christina, and now it pisses them off any time they hear someone straying from the written note. "

Hmm. I can't discount an impressive range and vocal ability, and it's totally not that someone can't inject their personality and flavor into songs (i.e. "straying from the written note" as you said). But there's a difference, IMO. I hate when it's done JUST to be showy. When Jennifer Holliday wails on And I Am Telling You, she rips my heart out. Same with Aretha with many of her songs...it's like they're singers with a story. Dusty Springfield, Linda Ronstadt, Ann Wilson, kd lang, Pink, Cass Elliot, Chaka Khan, Donna Summer, Martha Wash...all singers with powerhouse pipes that I ADORE. Christina, Mariah...hate them. It's just a personal thing, I guess.

[MrMidwest]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 11:22pm

blueroses, is that you in your avatar? If so, you look hot. I love your hair.

[blueroses]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 11:30pm

Yes, Mr. Midwest. And thank you!

[aspen]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 11:41pm

Yeah, I see your point, blue. And Jennifer Holliday, that woman's just in a league by herself.

But personally, I'm still guilty of liking songs that most people call showy and over-the-top. "Bless the Lord" from the Godspell revival comes to mind, along with some Brian McKnight stuff and... well, pretty much the entire upbeat repertoire of Sandi Patti =) and I'm not even Christian. Hmm.

[blueroses]

Posted: 8/14/06 at 11:46pm

Aspen, who doesn't love a good money note now and again?

And I also love Godspell, gospel and Christmas music and I'm not Christian either.

[PJ]

Posted: 8/15/06 at 9:52pm

I thought "Stripped" was brilliant, and I just picked up "Back to Basics" a few hours ago. I haven't listened to both albums in their entirety yet, but so far, I am loving what I am hearing.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 8/15/06 at 9:56pm

PJ . . .you stole my icon. haha. If you want to read my review, it's on the "Official "Back to Basics" reaction thread."