Just her...Stripped (Stripped - Christina Aguilera)

Member Name: fayby

Product:	Stripped - Christina Aguilera
Date:	30/11/05 (173 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Her voice and those high notes!

Disadvantages: None

When i first came across Christina's new material, in 2002, when she released her single, "Dirrty" the first word that came to my mind was "Tart". And i think that's what everyone was thinking at that time, because it was the most overly-sexual thing she had done in her career. However, after my step-sister purchased the album shortly after that, and i listened to it, i was blown away by her talent. I liked Christina as an artist when her first album was released, but then after she took a break, i kind of forgot about her, and never paid much attention.



Although, i wouldn't say Christina is my favourite artist altogether, her voice and talent is definetly my favourite from anyone else's. When the album was bought, it cost around £12-£15. As you look at the cover, it speaks for itself what the album is all about. You see a full body shot of her, wearing not much on her top half, but covering certain parts up with her hair. In my opinion, she chose the photograph very well for the front cover, it speaks for the whole album. It gives across the message that she's a young girl who likes to show skin, and have a good time, and who's not afraid to show her body. She's Proud of her own skin, and what she has, she doesn't want to hide it. On the other hand, she covers up certain part's to let people know that she's not one to be taken advantage of, she's a girl who has rights and opinions.



When the album first starts, (Stripped intro) you hear lots of people talking at once, the paparazzi, interviewers and other celebrities asking questions and stating opinions. It's to give you an insight to what she hears on a daily basis. it's the rumours, and the lies that she has to hear everyday, and deal with. After a while, she breaks off the noise by saying:
"Waited a long time for this. Feels right now. Allow me to introduce myself," It's like a whole new start to her career.



The first real song on the album is "Can't hold us down" which is a empowering female song, speaking up about women's rights and how men can't hold any of us down. It's a song that makes you feel strong inside.



The atmosphere changes with track 3 - Walk away, a powerful ballad about her father, who treated her badly as a child. The lyrics saying, "I keep going right back to the one thing that i need to walk away from" The song truly shows off her talent, and vocal ability, including low notes to begin with, and then followed by high notes towards the end of the song.



I won't go into detail with every song as there's 20 all together, and it would be very long. Instead, i'll mention the best song's in my opinion, and what they're about.



Track 6 - Infatuation -
A song about Ex Boyfriend and dancer - Jorge Santos. she sings about her infatuation towards him and how he seems to intrige her all the time. She sings about his Latin ways, and the music accompanies it with latin style music. It tells how it's hard to get too involved with people, and you can get too deep.



Track 9 - Impossible -
A track that truly shows off her vocal ability once again. A track written by 23 year old singer, Alicia Keys, is started off by Alicia playing the piano and asking her "What's up?" Christina replies by telling her she's got something on her mind, and after some drums are played, she begins her song about it being impossible to love someone when they're making everything difficult.



Track 13 - Cruz -
In this Relaxing, track written by Linda Perry and Christina herself, she sings about getting away from everything, and enjoying herself. This is the kind of song i'd play in the car as i'm driving, it just reminds you of driving along with the wind in your hair, and feeling free.



Track 19 - I'm Ok -
Probably the most personal song on the whole album to Christina, she sings about how her Father Abused her mother and herself when she was younger, and she speaks of all the things she saw, as she was growing up. She sings quietly, and was actually crying whilst recording the track. I think this song makes you see how inspirational she truly is, as she still delivers the song well, and sings at a good tune, even though she's crying whilst doing it. She tells of how she looks at herself every morning, as she wakes up, and realizes she's okay now. A song that really makes you realize what you have, and how lucky you are. It also makes you realize that you can overcome almost anything.



Track 20 - Keep on singin my song -
The most positive song on the album would definetly have to be this track. Christina sings about no matter what anybody says to you, or what comes your way, you should love yourself, and forget what everybody else says.

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If i had to give this album a mark out of Ten, i wouldn't hesitate to say Ten! Truly Christina's best work. She seperates this album from her first, as in this album, she speaks up about real life issues, that have got her down, or made her more positive etc. She sends a positive message out to the listener's, and if you're having a bad day, this is the album to listen to. As well as having some amazing messages and symbolic songs, christina also throws in some great dance numbers, and of course the single's, "Dirrty, Beautiful, Fighter, Can't hold us down, and The Voice within"

Summary: This album shows off Christina's real self, and the songs are truly inspiring.