Xtina Returns to Disrobe and Uncover Her Artistry!!!
Stripped (2002)
1. Stripped Intro
Well, the album opens up with an intro that starts off with news broadcasts about Christina's behavior in the public before she sings about showing off the real her that people don't know about. I like this intro a lot because it is establishing a theme for the album: the unapologetic and real Christina!
Well, the album opens up with an intro that starts off with news broadcasts about Christina's behavior in the public before she sings about showing off the real her that people don't know about. I like this intro a lot because it is establishing a theme for the album: the unapologetic and real Christina!
2. "Can't Hold Us Down" (Featuring Lil' Kim)
This ferocious R&B track is about how women have been disrespected for centuries and Christina detesting the fact that the fact there has always been a double standard. Lil' Kim comes in for a decent rap verse, though it's of the "blink and you'll miss it" variety. It really does seem to brief but anyway, I like the message of this song as it comes off as a very strong feminist anthem. Christina sounds great and the production is superb. Possibly one of her best hits; though it was a moderate hit.
(A-)
This ferocious R&B track is about how women have been disrespected for centuries and Christina detesting the fact that the fact there has always been a double standard. Lil' Kim comes in for a decent rap verse, though it's of the "blink and you'll miss it" variety. It really does seem to brief but anyway, I like the message of this song as it comes off as a very strong feminist anthem. Christina sounds great and the production is superb. Possibly one of her best hits; though it was a moderate hit.
(A-)
3. "Walk Away"
This has a soulfulness to it and feels like a song Alicia Keys would sing (I need to review her albums by the way). I like the production as Christina sings of a tumultuous relationship she needs to "walk away" from. I love the way she sings this with an almost deep vibrato in her voice. This is really an excellent track that feels like Christina is going through an emotional train wreck that you are glad to witness as she sounds oh so powerful. I love the lyrics as Christina explores her insecurities and wonders why it's so hard for her to leave this heartbreaking situation. Pretty moving stuff!
(A)
This has a soulfulness to it and feels like a song Alicia Keys would sing (I need to review her albums by the way). I like the production as Christina sings of a tumultuous relationship she needs to "walk away" from. I love the way she sings this with an almost deep vibrato in her voice. This is really an excellent track that feels like Christina is going through an emotional train wreck that you are glad to witness as she sounds oh so powerful. I love the lyrics as Christina explores her insecurities and wonders why it's so hard for her to leave this heartbreaking situation. Pretty moving stuff!
(A)
4. "Fighter"
With a strong piano melody starting things off, we soon get into this fury ridden rock anthem!! Christina sings of showing her resilience after the pain she has been through with her current relationship. Christina is in no mood to be sympathetic as she is a scorned lover and wants the endless games to stop. You really feel her anguish on this track as you can relate to being in a position of being constantly hurt by a lover. I love Christina's almost earth shattering vocals; especially against that epic guitar solo. The production is off the charts and Christina sells the song so well; making you feel like a fighter yourself. This was a great hit!
(A)
With a strong piano melody starting things off, we soon get into this fury ridden rock anthem!! Christina sings of showing her resilience after the pain she has been through with her current relationship. Christina is in no mood to be sympathetic as she is a scorned lover and wants the endless games to stop. You really feel her anguish on this track as you can relate to being in a position of being constantly hurt by a lover. I love Christina's almost earth shattering vocals; especially against that epic guitar solo. The production is off the charts and Christina sells the song so well; making you feel like a fighter yourself. This was a great hit!
(A)
5. Primer Amor Interlude
Christina shows off her Latin roots by speaking Spanish against some elegant Spanish guitar playing. I like it! Shows her ethnic background and is a nice detour from the last track.
Christina shows off her Latin roots by speaking Spanish against some elegant Spanish guitar playing. I like it! Shows her ethnic background and is a nice detour from the last track.
6. "Infatuation"
The Spanish guitar continues on into this R&B track with some Latin flavor thrown in. I like how Christina continues to incorporate the Spanish language in the album. This is a nice change of pace from the album so far and Christina sounds equally beautiful in Spanish as she does in English. A track not to miss with it's love sick lyrics and stellar production.
(A-)
The Spanish guitar continues on into this R&B track with some Latin flavor thrown in. I like how Christina continues to incorporate the Spanish language in the album. This is a nice change of pace from the album so far and Christina sounds equally beautiful in Spanish as she does in English. A track not to miss with it's love sick lyrics and stellar production.
(A-)
7. Love Embrace Interlude
We hear sounds of nature as well as other musical sounds incorporated into it. I like it. It's simple but leads into the next song well.
We hear sounds of nature as well as other musical sounds incorporated into it. I like it. It's simple but leads into the next song well.
8. "Loving Me 4 Me"
I like this grown and sexy approach to this song. This is another song I imagine being such by Alicia Keys or Floetry. It has that soulful R&B music that is for adults as Christina leaves those teen pop days behind. This song just seems beyond her years at the time but she carries it with such a cool and ease that it's so great to hear. I love the lyrics as Christina sings of a man who loves her for the real here. It's a song that goes back to the theme of the album and Christina's vocals are really sexy on this track. I love every minute of the naked, stripped (dammit, more puns!) down track.
(A)
I like this grown and sexy approach to this song. This is another song I imagine being such by Alicia Keys or Floetry. It has that soulful R&B music that is for adults as Christina leaves those teen pop days behind. This song just seems beyond her years at the time but she carries it with such a cool and ease that it's so great to hear. I love the lyrics as Christina sings of a man who loves her for the real here. It's a song that goes back to the theme of the album and Christina's vocals are really sexy on this track. I love every minute of the naked, stripped (dammit, more puns!) down track.
(A)
9. "Impossible"
Some beautiful piano playing as Christina is assisted by some nice background singers before getting into the another soulful track! Christina sings this with more of that vibrato that is so great to here. The song's production is simple but Christina's vocal delivery makes it exceptional! It's almost like she's channeling her inner Aretha Franklin with some of the sweet vocal inflections she delivers. The fact that I'm comparing Christina to the Queen of Soul shows that she did something so fantastic with this song. Once again, her maturity and vocals are far beyond her years!
(A-)
Some beautiful piano playing as Christina is assisted by some nice background singers before getting into the another soulful track! Christina sings this with more of that vibrato that is so great to here. The song's production is simple but Christina's vocal delivery makes it exceptional! It's almost like she's channeling her inner Aretha Franklin with some of the sweet vocal inflections she delivers. The fact that I'm comparing Christina to the Queen of Soul shows that she did something so fantastic with this song. Once again, her maturity and vocals are far beyond her years!
(A-)
10. "Unappreciated"
In this sassy, trumpet cued track, Christina sings of her frustrations of being a woman who isn't appreciated for the things that she does and it's a shame as she clearly deserves better. I love the tone in Christina's voice as she sounds so fed up with her man's actions. I also love the practical instrumentation of the production with real instruments being used; not going for a flashy production but a more down to earth one. Pretty awesome!
(B+)
In this sassy, trumpet cued track, Christina sings of her frustrations of being a woman who isn't appreciated for the things that she does and it's a shame as she clearly deserves better. I love the tone in Christina's voice as she sounds so fed up with her man's actions. I also love the practical instrumentation of the production with real instruments being used; not going for a flashy production but a more down to earth one. Pretty awesome!
(B+)
11. "Beautiful"
You know this song still holds up so much meaning after all these years, especially for me. For someone who deals with the daily expectation of being perfect, but it being impossible because we are all imperfect. "Beautiful" is a powerful statement about how we are all special in every way, no matter how big or small, no matter what color we are, what sexual orientation we are, etc. It doesn't matter because we are all unique and bring something so beautiful to this world. I don't care how sappy this lyrics are, they are moving and inspiring; making for an even more profound video showing why this world is so beautiful and how our difference should be embraced! Such an amazing song with such deep, emotional resonance.
(A+)
You know this song still holds up so much meaning after all these years, especially for me. For someone who deals with the daily expectation of being perfect, but it being impossible because we are all imperfect. "Beautiful" is a powerful statement about how we are all special in every way, no matter how big or small, no matter what color we are, what sexual orientation we are, etc. It doesn't matter because we are all unique and bring something so beautiful to this world. I don't care how sappy this lyrics are, they are moving and inspiring; making for an even more profound video showing why this world is so beautiful and how our difference should be embraced! Such an amazing song with such deep, emotional resonance.
(A+)
12. "Make Over"
"Make Over" has sort of a tango production mixed with a pretty noisy beat. I get the lyrics and they are touching but song comes off more like Christina is yelling than actually singing. It's kind of a waste when I'm sure her delivery was better. It's a weird track as it feels like it should be sung by female rock star like Alanis Morissette but in the hands of Christina is feels odd and out of place. Not a good track by any means, but I do admire Christina going for something completely different and experimenting.
(C-)
"Make Over" has sort of a tango production mixed with a pretty noisy beat. I get the lyrics and they are touching but song comes off more like Christina is yelling than actually singing. It's kind of a waste when I'm sure her delivery was better. It's a weird track as it feels like it should be sung by female rock star like Alanis Morissette but in the hands of Christina is feels odd and out of place. Not a good track by any means, but I do admire Christina going for something completely different and experimenting.
(C-)
13. "Cruz"
This is a pretty good ballad that almost has a country style to it. Christina's vocals are electrifying though and elevate the song from feeling like a generic ballad. Though I wonder why she spelled "Cruise" like "Cruz". Oh well, it's her album and she can do what she pleases but this one like I said is pretty good.
(B-)
This is a pretty good ballad that almost has a country style to it. Christina's vocals are electrifying though and elevate the song from feeling like a generic ballad. Though I wonder why she spelled "Cruise" like "Cruz". Oh well, it's her album and she can do what she pleases but this one like I said is pretty good.
(B-)
14. "Soar"
So this song is pretty inspiring as Christina sings such lyrics as "Don't be scared/To fly alone/Find a path that is your own/Love will open every door" and "See in your hands the world is yours/Don't hold back and always know/All the answers you will unfold/What are you waiting for/Spread your wings and soar." This has a great choir backing up Christina and I love the almost Mariah Carey-isms of the song. (Hate to compare the two again but even Christina's high note sounds like a note Mariah would hit) It's a pretty moving song that just moves above the line of sappiness for me. Vocally excellent work as usual from Christina.
(B)
So this song is pretty inspiring as Christina sings such lyrics as "Don't be scared/To fly alone/Find a path that is your own/Love will open every door" and "See in your hands the world is yours/Don't hold back and always know/All the answers you will unfold/What are you waiting for/Spread your wings and soar." This has a great choir backing up Christina and I love the almost Mariah Carey-isms of the song. (Hate to compare the two again but even Christina's high note sounds like a note Mariah would hit) It's a pretty moving song that just moves above the line of sappiness for me. Vocally excellent work as usual from Christina.
(B)
15. "Get Mine, Get Yours"
Outside of Christina hitting a great high note, this track has a pretty mesmerizing groove to it that may not be that significant to the rest of the album but is thoroughly enjoyable. The lyrics seem to be expressing sex as Christina wants to get nice and intense underneath the sheets. I like that it's a different track from the last and Christina does sound sexy on this. Gotta love she does things tastefully with this track. I really like it more than I originally thought. This is pretty great! :)
(B+)
Outside of Christina hitting a great high note, this track has a pretty mesmerizing groove to it that may not be that significant to the rest of the album but is thoroughly enjoyable. The lyrics seem to be expressing sex as Christina wants to get nice and intense underneath the sheets. I like that it's a different track from the last and Christina does sound sexy on this. Gotta love she does things tastefully with this track. I really like it more than I originally thought. This is pretty great! :)
(B+)
16. "Dirrty" (Featuring Redman)
You know, I have never liked "Dirrty", it feels like a pitiful attempt by Christina to show how sexual she could be when compared to Britney. I guess the song is catchy but the sample from Redman's "Let's Get Dirty" as well as Redman's appearance feel forced. The whole song feels forced as well as Christina's slutty image at the time. I'm all for shedding that innocent, teen pop image but even Britney did the transition better than Christina. This just feels like desperation, not like natural progression of her last look. The lyrics are very juvenile and childish. Nothing clever or fun about them, it's just Christina how "dirty" she can be. How is that sexy again?! Oh well, a minor misstep on this album.
(D+)
You know, I have never liked "Dirrty", it feels like a pitiful attempt by Christina to show how sexual she could be when compared to Britney. I guess the song is catchy but the sample from Redman's "Let's Get Dirty" as well as Redman's appearance feel forced. The whole song feels forced as well as Christina's slutty image at the time. I'm all for shedding that innocent, teen pop image but even Britney did the transition better than Christina. This just feels like desperation, not like natural progression of her last look. The lyrics are very juvenile and childish. Nothing clever or fun about them, it's just Christina how "dirty" she can be. How is that sexy again?! Oh well, a minor misstep on this album.
(D+)
17. Stripped, Pt. 2
Another interlude showing how Christina is showing the real her and how she is advocating others to do the same. Ok...got it!!
Another interlude showing how Christina is showing the real her and how she is advocating others to do the same. Ok...got it!!
18. "The Voice Within"
So we have a very empowering ballad that has Christina singing about finding that inner strength to over come pain and tragedy. I really love this song!! I loved it since it was the final single off of "Stripped". The lyrics are heartfelt and the piano playing is well done. Christina once again sings this with a grace and pose that is great to see at her age at the time. Brings a bit of a tear to my eye honestly...especially when that epic choir comes in to join Christina.
So we have a very empowering ballad that has Christina singing about finding that inner strength to over come pain and tragedy. I really love this song!! I loved it since it was the final single off of "Stripped". The lyrics are heartfelt and the piano playing is well done. Christina once again sings this with a grace and pose that is great to see at her age at the time. Brings a bit of a tear to my eye honestly...especially when that epic choir comes in to join Christina.
(B+)
19. "I'm Ok"
We once again get a stripped down performance, this time it's an acoustic guitar ballad as Christina sings her way through some saddening lyrics and I am blown away. I love this vulnerable side of Christina, I especially like the lyric "Bruises fade father/But the pain remains the same". Man, this is a tragic tale that seems to be talking about the abusive relationship and I'm captivated. This is really intense! This is Christina singing about the psychological scaring of her mind after being put through such a devastating situation. It makes you wonder if Christina was really abuse as she pulls this off so convincingly. This is some really brilliant artistry here and I can't get enough of it. The way Christina even sings/says "I'm Ok" is heartbreaking. Wow! *applause*
(A+)
We once again get a stripped down performance, this time it's an acoustic guitar ballad as Christina sings her way through some saddening lyrics and I am blown away. I love this vulnerable side of Christina, I especially like the lyric "Bruises fade father/But the pain remains the same". Man, this is a tragic tale that seems to be talking about the abusive relationship and I'm captivated. This is really intense! This is Christina singing about the psychological scaring of her mind after being put through such a devastating situation. It makes you wonder if Christina was really abuse as she pulls this off so convincingly. This is some really brilliant artistry here and I can't get enough of it. The way Christina even sings/says "I'm Ok" is heartbreaking. Wow! *applause*
(A+)
20. "Keep On Singin' My Song"
Christina ends things off with another inspiring track that shows she has had enough crying and sulking over the pain of the past. She will keep singing her song and I like this type of ending to the album. I like also the background vocals as well as the singing of the "Oooos" and "Aaahs". This has been a great journey that I have been on with this album and I'm so impressed by the majority of what I've heard. Oh and that high note that Christina hold toward the end of the song...YAAAAAAASSSSSSSS!!!
(B)
Christina ends things off with another inspiring track that shows she has had enough crying and sulking over the pain of the past. She will keep singing her song and I like this type of ending to the album. I like also the background vocals as well as the singing of the "Oooos" and "Aaahs". This has been a great journey that I have been on with this album and I'm so impressed by the majority of what I've heard. Oh and that high note that Christina hold toward the end of the song...YAAAAAAASSSSSSSS!!!
(B)
God, this is such a strong album and a welcome departure from her humble, teen pop debut in '99. Where Christina was following a formula, here she is willing to take more control of the material she's singing. There is a vast mixture of genres from soul, pop, R&B, rock, gospel, Latin and of course, adult contemporary balladry. Christina wasn't shy about what kind of popstar she was at this point. Coming off the immense success of "Lady Marmalade" with P!nk, Lil Kim and Mya, Christina decided to quickly head back to the studio and want to go fr beyond limitations of her debut album. No longer did she want to sing about teenaged problems, but young adulthood and more mature themes like feminism ("Can't Hold Us Down"), the fallout of falling in love ("Infatuation"), perseverance over the media ("Fighter") and relentless inspiration ("Soar"). Sure some of the more explicit subject matter falls flat, like the over the top sex-fest like "Dirrty", which is pretty much the album's true weakness. Such a strong and superb run of emotionally riveting, soulful grooves and vocal fluidity is almost compromised by an almost embarrassing publicity stunt of Christina and her team of producers behave. They really didn't have to take it that far and the song feels so misplaced. I'd rather here Christina sing about about more universal themes, like the soul bearing ballad "Beautiful" which doesn't only feel incredibly more natural but truly touching. Christina was certainly on a mission to distance herself from the teen pop craze that proved to be overwhelming for her in terms of work. She was tired of the comparisons to other "pop phenomenon" artists at the time like Britney and wanted to be taken more seriously as an artist. The album would go on to sell over 300,000 it's first week, going quadruple platinum and selling, overall, 10 million copies worldwide. Though, the critics weren't kind and the reception of the album was divided. Some called the record "inspiring and rich" while others thought it was all over the place in terms of tone and genres. But what do I think of the album??? Like I said, I think is pretty excellent to tell you the truth. While I agree that shift in tone from harder hip hop influenced beats to more soft, children's choir like harmonies can be a bit jarring, I truly commend Christina for at least trying to put more effort here than her debut which was clearly just an album wanting to capitalize on the enormous bubblegum pop trend at the time. Here, he vocal sounds not only great as usual but much more solid on the vocal acrobatics of "Impossible" or the choked up vulnerability of "I'm Ok". She is amazing none the less despite the harsh criticism and is LEAGUES better than the sloppy second album by Britney two years later or even her mildly better third LP. So there! :P
"Mixing sexual empowerment with musical maturity, "Stripped" is a soulful journey into the singer's superb second outing in the studio which features some inspiring lyricism, vocal bright spots and wonderful exploration into deep, rooted personal triumph!"
(A-)
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