Christina Aguilera - Back to Basics

[No_Doubt]

I picked up the album yesterday and I have to say my reactions to it are very mixed. While I appreciate that the album is a lengthy, robust offering, I feel that the album suffers the problem most double albums do; there is way too much filler that does little to add to the album. In my opinion, they should have stuck to a single disk release and only keep the great or atleast worthwhile songs because the filler really starts to detract from the album. In addition, even though Christina inarguably has one of the most technically astouding and powerful voices in pop music, I still feel she oversings a lot. It's competely unneccesary and makes her vocals sound very showy and oftentimes Cabaret-esque, especially when combined with the jazzy, vintage feel of the album. I have to agree with cybermoomba, the whole 20's, 30's feel really does drag after a few tracks like you said. Certainly it sounds authentic, but the production is so repetitive and monotonous. Not only that, but I feel this type of music just isn't viable today. While I commend Christina for trying something new and interesting, I'm just not hearing the modern twist. Maybe I'm just missing something, but the album feels dated, even if intentionally, but she should have refreshingly gone "Back To Basics" while still remaining modern and relevant-sounding. I have a feeling the album will grow on me, so maybe in a couple more listens I'll come back saying it's brilliant.