Whether she’s aware of it or not, Christina Aguilera is in the midst of an identity crisis. The former Mouseketeer consistently obsesses over “reinventing” herself, a concept that doesn’t necessarily work when you’ve never shown commitment to any given image or persona. As a result, it all comes off as a bit manufactured. And to put it bluntly? She’s trying way too hard.
On her latest project Bionic, the singer tries so hard to sound different that she throws out what made her unique in the first place–those incredibly powerful vocal chords. There are a few remnants of her trademark belting and wailing throughout the album, but most of the tracks come off as far too restrained or, even worse, a carbon-copy of her collaborators.
The idea of M.I.A. writing a song (“Elastic Love”) for the album initially sounded exciting. But this was before it was clear that Aguilera would blatantly imitate her style of delivery. It’s almost as if Ms. Arulpragasm lashed back by throwing in the worst lyric ever: “A rubber band was an analogy. You can even say it’s a metaphor.”
As a whole, Bionic suffers from a complete last of subtlety or cohesion. A handful of tracks would be enjoyable within the right context, but due to poor sequencing, we’re forced to move from the heartfelt “You Lost Me” to the annoying chant of “I Hate Boys”. No matter how you look at it, these transitions just don’t work.
To make matters even worse, excellent bonus tracks such as “Birds of Prey” were cast aside for lifeless filler such as “Prima Donna”. And if you don’t like it? Aguilera utters the following words in your direction–“fuck you”. This is about as clever as her comebacks will ever get…
– Dewitt
To listen to select songs from this album, follow the JUMP:
I think it depends on what you like to listen to.
People who love urban music don’t think “Prima Donna” is filler at all. In fact, it’s a fan favorite on R&B blogs. One of my favorite tracks.
And going from “You Lost Me” to “I hate Boys” makes sense when you consider that YLM is the last of the series of ballads from that section of the album. It makes total sense. The album starts with club bangers, slows down with “Sex for Breakfast,” then we get a slew of ballads, then she picks it back up and ends on a fun note with “I Hate Boys” and “Vanity”
Very impressive sequencing, actually.
I think what you consider “lack of cohesion” I consider displaying versatility, which Christina really has in spades on this album. What other pop singer right now could go into the studio with Switch and MIA and come out with a hot song, then go into the studio and make a Neo Soul track like “Sex for Breakfast.”
If you go into this album expecting one sound, you’ll be disappointed, because she really gives you multiple angles here. And that was her point – fresh, futuristic and fun that showed how versatile she is. And it all comes together under an umbrella of female empowerment and sexual expression. I love this album; I think it’s right up there with “Stripped.”
dewitt, you forgot about gaga
she released her alejandro
The comparison to “Stripped” is quite telling. “Stripped” came out when XTina legitimately is looking for a voice, after her overly pop sugarcoated debut. In that context it is understandable. “Bionic” is just disjointed and scattered, reminiscent of JC Chasez’s ill fated solo effort “Schizophrenic”. I do, however, commend her for showing restraint in her vocal, something that’s been a problem for her in both “Stripped” and “Back to Basics”.
i wish she would find a different venue for her pipes. pop music is just not it.
god, i’m listening to these songs, and i’m just hearing her say, “ok, now i want a song that sounds like…”
she’s so talented. she doesn’t need to be singing for 5 and a half minutes about her “woohoo”.
god damn, i love me some nicki minaj, though.
I don’t know because mindless tracks from Britney are freaking great but from Christina I expect more than that. She actually has an amazing voice she should leave this to the other girls.
I definitely agree with the lack of cohesion… It should flow kinda like Lady Gaga’s album did (if you like it), it started out nice built up into a serene climax and then ended with a bang.
Arranging your album is 25% of the effort put into it. But she does have some good songs, maybe not different from what we’re getting now, but I’d take her voice over someone elses.
Love the review by Brandon33. The guy should write for “Rolling Stone” or something!
The sample cuts here are enough for me to want to buy the CD, particularly the last one. For me and maybe for all Christina fans, she can do no wrong. She has the best voice of anyone on the music scene today, and I’m glad to see her being daring and exploratory and not just falling into the trap of giving us another immediately-accessable album. There is a lot of planning and originality and taking chances here that I can’t help but admire. And my God, she looks just gorgeous! Love the music; love the woman!
From Bionic i mostly just love the visual image she has come up with but the album as a whole is mediocre to what i thought she would bring to the table. There were times i wish she would of rip off some of GaGa’s music, would of made for better listening. Love the electro vibe of Elastic Love and Birds of Prey reminds me of music by Bat For Lashes which makes me like the song and Stronger Than Ever has to be one of the best tracks on the album if not one of the best in her career. In the end i will still buy the album.
I think next to Katy Perry’s California Girlz, Woohoo will be my song of the summer. I thought this album would be a flop when I first heard Not Myself, which did really sounds like a 2001 Britney track with a fake Timbaland beat. Woohoo is amazing, and if you can’t look past the topic she’s singing about, your missing out.
Brandon33 said it best! I think the Album is great, of course some songs might take a few listens to really get into, but that’s like any album, it seems like people are hating on Christina since she has had such a long stretch since her last album, and they are expecting the same old same old. Change is good though!
I’ll admit at first I was like who is this, as some songs it doesnt sound like its her at first, but its great that she can do all types of songs and still produce good music. But I do think its funny that people complained about her “belting and wailing”, and now are wondering where she is. Its called her showing some diversity with her voice, it doesnt have to be loud to be good 😛
Christina you are trying way too hard. You need to look at Lady GaGa for some inspiration. This album sounds like a flop.
I honestly don’t get what people look for in music…I personally believe that this album is one of her best. She delivers amazing vocals, catchy lyrics along with great beats and you also have some tracks that mean something. Unlike some other music that is out there that means nothing literally and sound like garbage. I enjoy music that keeps me entertained. This is an album that does just that. You won’t get tired of listening to it midway thru.
I don’t understand what people are looking for in music, either. People have to change in order to stay in this business, however, when someone does, it’s not enough. Listen to the music you want to listen to. Now, I think this album is great. Does it really flow, yes, from the beginning until “You Lost Me”, however, on the deluxe version, “I Hate Boys” kicks things off for the remainder of the album. It’s a simple and fun album. Accept it for what it is instead of digging as deep as you can for a flaw. She has an amazing instrument and makes amazing music. If you don’t like her, don’t listen to her music and at the same time, don’t sit there and add your negative comments to articles, videos and songs. Let the people who love her, love her without being bothered by negativity.
I am listening to the album right now for the second time. It’s like 3 different singers in one disc. There’s something for everybody, but there’s no concept album idea like in Stripped.
The voice is there and it suits better the ballads. Lift me up and All I Need are great songs in that section. But I purchased this album based on the idea that Christina was going in an electronic direction and I expected to see more of that. Maybe I need to listen to it a few more times so it will grown on me.
My favourite tracks are Elastic Love, Vanity, I Hate Boys, Bobblehead and Prima Donna, but seriously I don’t know how many of these have potential to become singles.
Brandon 33 and Jimmy T I agree with 100%. I don’t know if I’m being biased because it’s Christina and to me she’s unstoppable and I’m loyal to her, but honestly I just think I enjoy all of it. I was hesitant about this album and wasn’t sure when I heard it was more…”futuristic” I wasn’t excited, when I previewed the album I had to have it and I cannot stop listening to it! every song is wonderful and has a different feel. I can dance most of the way through, but then sit back and enjoy the tenderness of her voice midway. Then finish it off with another anthem of appreciating me.
I think she did good and I was excited to see the review from you guys, unfortunately it wasn’t what I anticipated, but that’s whats good to see others point of view different or not. Well I’m off to listen to Woohoo.
i don’t know what people want to heard in music these days….some catchy songs from kesha or gaga or britney?…..but christine is different…she is great singer and i think this album shows different options…im a fan of the whole album, defenetlly is a great one