Teen Pop Finally Found Its Vocalist!!!
Christina Aguilera (1999)
1. "Genie In A Bottle"
This debut single from the vocal powerhouse that was Christina Aguilera was a great way to introduce her to the world. By using the analogy that she is a genie in a bottle, what Christina is trying to say is that she needs a man that gets to know her before he is able to woo her. The lyrics are clever and the production is solid; bringing me back to 1999 when Christina came on the scene with that beach set video and took the pop world by storm. This is a great first single, on par with Britney's "...Baby One More Time" at the time. Her vocals already show she has a bit more power than her other contemporaries at the time.
(A)
This debut single from the vocal powerhouse that was Christina Aguilera was a great way to introduce her to the world. By using the analogy that she is a genie in a bottle, what Christina is trying to say is that she needs a man that gets to know her before he is able to woo her. The lyrics are clever and the production is solid; bringing me back to 1999 when Christina came on the scene with that beach set video and took the pop world by storm. This is a great first single, on par with Britney's "...Baby One More Time" at the time. Her vocals already show she has a bit more power than her other contemporaries at the time.
(A)
2. "What A Girl Wants"
Christina sings of making a man understand what a girls needs to satisfy her by showing what her needs are. This teen pop production is stellar as this became another #1 hit for Christina after her strong debut single. I enjoy this song immensely, it's catchy, fun and very relatable for young women who are desperately trying to get the point across of what makes them happy. Sometimes it's just spending time with them and understanding them emotionally; also Christina vocally is strong as usual. This song really takes me back like the previous and really stands the test of time.
(A)
Christina sings of making a man understand what a girls needs to satisfy her by showing what her needs are. This teen pop production is stellar as this became another #1 hit for Christina after her strong debut single. I enjoy this song immensely, it's catchy, fun and very relatable for young women who are desperately trying to get the point across of what makes them happy. Sometimes it's just spending time with them and understanding them emotionally; also Christina vocally is strong as usual. This song really takes me back like the previous and really stands the test of time.
(A)
3. "I Turn To You"
In this sensational pop ballad, Christina shows just how great her vocal range is and backs it up with the emotion to really make the song work so well. Christina sings of a person she looks to for a source of strength when she has no one else to turn too. A song that could have been sappy but because of Christina's excellent vocal work she makes this an impressive showcase of her immense talent. A very enjoyable track!
(B+)
In this sensational pop ballad, Christina shows just how great her vocal range is and backs it up with the emotion to really make the song work so well. Christina sings of a person she looks to for a source of strength when she has no one else to turn too. A song that could have been sappy but because of Christina's excellent vocal work she makes this an impressive showcase of her immense talent. A very enjoyable track!
(B+)
4. "So Emotional"
You know at the beginning of song, that run that Christina does almost sounds like Mariah!! Lol!! She would probably get pissed if anyone told her that. But back to the song, not to be confused with Whitney's 80s classic, "So Emotional" is an R&B lite track that has a decent groove to it but the production could be livelier...in my opinion at least! Christina is vocally solid but the lyrics are kind of forgettable as she sings of a man that gets her caught up in her feelings. When comparing it to Whitney's own "So Emotional", it just pales in comparison. Haven't used this word in a while but this is filler in every sense of the word.
(C)
You know at the beginning of song, that run that Christina does almost sounds like Mariah!! Lol!! She would probably get pissed if anyone told her that. But back to the song, not to be confused with Whitney's 80s classic, "So Emotional" is an R&B lite track that has a decent groove to it but the production could be livelier...in my opinion at least! Christina is vocally solid but the lyrics are kind of forgettable as she sings of a man that gets her caught up in her feelings. When comparing it to Whitney's own "So Emotional", it just pales in comparison. Haven't used this word in a while but this is filler in every sense of the word.
(C)
5. "Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You)"-Radio Version
Now this is classic Christina I love!! This song is infectious and was a great single from the album. The melody is strong and the chorus is oh so catchy. I'm so glad the radio single version made it to the album. The lyrics are playful yet sexy but it's Christina stellar vocal work that really take the song to another level. This might be one of my favorite Christina hits as I remember when the Making of the Video for this song came out on MTV back in 2000. This is a very competent teen pop that once again still hold up very well to this day and doesn't feel dated. Top Notch! [yes]
(A+)
Now this is classic Christina I love!! This song is infectious and was a great single from the album. The melody is strong and the chorus is oh so catchy. I'm so glad the radio single version made it to the album. The lyrics are playful yet sexy but it's Christina stellar vocal work that really take the song to another level. This might be one of my favorite Christina hits as I remember when the Making of the Video for this song came out on MTV back in 2000. This is a very competent teen pop that once again still hold up very well to this day and doesn't feel dated. Top Notch! [yes]
(A+)
6. "Reflection"
Putting her song from the "Mulan" Soundtrack was a great way to show off once again just how gifted of a singer that Christina is. The production is stunning as Christina really shows her range and the lyrics are beautifully written; capturing the feeling of the character Mulan and her insecurities about the journey she has to take. A stellar track if you ask me.
(A-)
Putting her song from the "Mulan" Soundtrack was a great way to show off once again just how gifted of a singer that Christina is. The production is stunning as Christina really shows her range and the lyrics are beautifully written; capturing the feeling of the character Mulan and her insecurities about the journey she has to take. A stellar track if you ask me.
(A-)
7. "Love For All Seasons"
I love the R&B feel to this as Christina definitely has that grit and soul in her voice to deliver a song like this. I like the lyrics, yes a bit cheesy, but Christina pull it off pretty exceptionally! The chorus is pretty good, could be better but decent either way. But it's Christina's voice that is the star and she sounds very pleasant here. Pretty good track overall.
(B-)
I love the R&B feel to this as Christina definitely has that grit and soul in her voice to deliver a song like this. I like the lyrics, yes a bit cheesy, but Christina pull it off pretty exceptionally! The chorus is pretty good, could be better but decent either way. But it's Christina's voice that is the star and she sounds very pleasant here. Pretty good track overall.
(B-)
8. "Somebody's Somebody"
So this song has Christina yearning to be with someone special as she is feeling a bit lonely. It's a cute song, if not a bit too cutesy for me. She even lists all the qualities that she wants in a man. The lyrics are ok; making for a decent song overall.
(C)
So this song has Christina yearning to be with someone special as she is feeling a bit lonely. It's a cute song, if not a bit too cutesy for me. She even lists all the qualities that she wants in a man. The lyrics are ok; making for a decent song overall.
(C)
9. "When You Put Your Hands On Me"
What is this??? R&B/pop-lite??? It's pretty decent, if not a bit generic. The melody is cute but it's Christina's extraordinary vocals that makes this simple pop track much more in the hands of a lesser singer. But still it's overall, not the best of the album or even a stand out. Also, the weird placements of the auto-tune is just that...weird. It's unnecessary and not needed my goodness!!! O_O Makes me enjoy the song less for that reason as well. Oh well...
(C+)
10. "Blessed"
The melody of this song kind of reminds me of Monica's "Angel of Mine" as well as Christina's vocal delivery of the song. It's a pretty sweet slow jam as Christina is feeling so spiritual thanks to this inspiring person in her life. It makes me miss songs like this. I so adore the eras when pop music had an innocent touch and a memorable message to it. Sigh!
(B-)
11. "Love Will Find A Way"
Well, this has a joyful, jolly tone to it that was essential to the most successful of teen pop tunes. I like the song for that reason. It has this youthful sense of optimism and Christina's vocals are solid as always. I wish this would have been a single as I'm sure it would have been at least a moderate hit on the charts. Probably one of my favorite tracks on the album! :)
(A-)
12. "Obvious"
Christina gives a stellar vocal performance and it's just so beautiful in tone and delivery. Christina sings of her emotional state as well as her youth; subject matters that have shaped her into the sensitive heartened soul that she is now and it's a pretty breathtaking end to the album if you ask me! :)
(B+)
Awwww, yes, the turn of the new millennium, when teen pop landed and the Latin Explosion took off!!! We had N, Sync and Backstreet Boys as well as many other boy bands competing for the top spot on the charts. Then you had Britney Spears leading the charge with her innocent yet provocative image with her debut "...Baby One More Time". There Jessica Simpson and Mandy Moore as well who were trying to make a name for themselves. But there was also a strong vocalist out there also making her debut in the middle of 1999. Another Mickey Mouse Alumni who had already made a solid hit for the Mulan Soundtrack "Reflection". Here name was Christina Aguliera. A then 19 year old teen with a vocal that was well beyond her years and bigger than her natural small frame. "Genie In A Bottle" was a massive number #1 hit on the charts as well as its corresponding singles, the teeny bopper tease "What A Girl Wants" and purely pop party anthem "Come On Over (All I Want Is You)". What she lacked in the effortless dance moves of Britney Spears, the southern charm of Jessica Simpson and the youthful cuteness of Mandy Moore, she easily made of for with raw, vocal talent. Not since Mariah Carey's astonishing debut in 1990 had we heard a voice so strong and powerful. It's almost as if the music was an added bonus to her already stunning vocal ability. But what does that say about her debut album. It's definitely a good album; some weak spots here and there but there's definitely to be amazed by just hearing how well Christina sings these songs. She can sings across the smooth groove of "So Emotional" and pull at your heartstrings just as easily with "I Turn To You". It's no wonder her debut album went on to sell over 17 million copies worldwide and got her the Grammy award for Best New Artist in 2000. The album is so cute but just a small taste of what Christina could do as an artist. Right then, she was just following the teen pop formula of the time instead of truly showing her artistry. Something she would go on to do with her anticipated follow-up and beyond. I would easily chose it over the debut of Britney any day simply for how strong her voice sounds and it certainly made me eager to hear more from her on her later albums. I honestly feel Christina is one of the best artists to come out of her generation and it's a shame that her career has taken a turn for the "nothing is really happening anymore" but it's easy to forget her debut was very promising for it's time.
"Christina Aguliera, both singer and album, is a solid debut filled with natural vocal prowess and some engaging material. But the few missteps it has are easily forgivable when this singing sensation can belt like the best of them that came before her!" :)
(B)
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