Where should I start my review of Back To Basics ? I took a lot of notes during my first 2 listens of this double album, that could actually be fitted in one 80 min cd, tho'.

It's a brave album, very brave. I haven't heard all the Stripped one, but this one seems a very big step forward. Christina got an idea, a concept in mind before entering in the studio. And she followed it. She definitely has not followed what's hot today, what's on the radios or the charts: she hasn't followed others' footsteps. She has traced her own. How could I not say I really respect her ? I really do. I really respect this courage. I don't think it's easy to make a choice like this. Especially after the huge success, and sales, of Stripped. This album let her music enter in a new market, maybe could leave aside the youngsters, the ones who goes for reality show winners or products built by the labels who's trying to get a certain market, the soul-less pop or r'n'b: here today, easily forgotten tomorrow. There are too many albums made for them (and a lot are gonna be released in the next weeks). Back To Basics is not. This one is a record made by starting from a concept, an idea; it's a record played a lot (big, big surprise ! There are computers, there are samples, there are beats, but there is a lot of music, a lot of instuments, a lot of musicians involved in this project ! You can hear the sound of a bass, a real bass ! It's stunning !). I'm not saying it's perfect, I'm not saying I'm gonna listen only to this record in the next 12 months. I'm just saying it's a very good, brave, loved and sincere album. Sometimes a bit too long or too self-indulgent, but even themistakes fits it very well. Remember she's a young girl (25?26?) and she's the executive producer of all the 22 tracks ! This was my mistake: I didn't consider she was so young, I couldn't expect an "adult" attitude from a very young girl.I'm not saying I'm justifying all the mistakes of the past, but she was growing and she's still doing it.

 

I think one line from track 3, Back in the day, could sum this album up very well:

If you've got soul, let the world know.

This could be the starting point of it all.

 

Track by track, now :)

D1

Intro 7 1/2 I really like this intro. If longer, it could have been a single !

MMWP 6 1/2 The chorus is great, the outro, too, but I'm not fully convinced. Maybe cos the title reminds me of Madonna's Nothing Fails (sorry guys, I like Madonna, too )

Back In The Day 8- If you've got soul, let the world know. I really like this song. it has a great vibe. I'd like it to be the 3rd of 4th single.

Ain't No Other Man 7+ It sounds like 21th century soul. The bass is great, the breakdown part, too. I think this is how the '30s divas would sound today.

Understand 7+ great ballad. I really like how the sample is used.

SDB 7 the chorus is very good. This reminds me a bit of Fighter.

Oh Mother 8- Maybe the (top class) sample, maybe the overall sound: this one reminds me of Eminem ballads. I can imagine the live version: Christina and piano only, very simple, simply great. I'm saying this here: her songs contains a lot of layers, she sings over her singings... maybe it's her style (I don't have her prev cds, sorry), but sometimes it's too much. When she's singing this live, she'll have only her background singers, she wont' have the chance to add layer over layer. The song will be huge.

FUSS 7(music) 5(song) 2 different votes: I really like the music and the production, I don't like the whole song that much. She had a message she wanted to send to someone... fair with it. But it's a wasted chance... this could have been a great song. It's only a skit most people will skip (and journalists will use to write their articles...)

On Our Way7+ I don't know why, but I like this song. Since the first time. The production is very good

Without You 7 1/2 another good song. What about the sound ? Is it a sample ? harp ? guitar ? Very good, whaterve it is ! This track has such a good and summery (and dreamy, too) vibe ! Great vocals, too, especially when she doesn't sing at the top of her lungs

Still Dirrty 6 1/2 this one reminds me of Gwen Stefani (don't ask me why: I don't know ! :) )Average song.

Here to Stay 7 good chorus. Average song, too

Thank You 7+ strange, but good, it's a song with a concept. Please try to listen to it in the dark: an experience !

D2 - it's the Linda Perry disc ! I noticed it at the end !

ETC (6 1/2, just an intro) + Welcome (7+) I really like this start, especially the passage from track 1 to track 2. It's all very dramatic and theatrical. And the whistle is pure class ! Is it all blue sky ?

Candyman 7 strange at the beginning. But funny. I know I'm not gonna buy fans saying this, but this track really reminds me of a Spice Girls song, The lady is a tramp. There's a part that it's quite the same. I'm not saying it's bad, only that it reminds me of the SG tune. Stop. Nice, but there are better tracks in this double album. I wouldn't choose this as the 2nd single, for so many reasons. One is that it would give a bad idea of the contents of Back To Basics. Maybe 3rd single, if you want it so badly.

NNB 7+ maybe vocals are a bit too clear and clean. But it's a good track

I Got Trouble 7- I wouldn't have put this one just right after NNB

Hurt 8- Definitely single material. Maybe I would have changed "And see you looking back ooh": no ooh but a huge chorus, more open, more powerful... it looks like she's promising, but giving at last. Or maybe she just wanted this track this way

Mercy On Me 8 great intro ! It's a great, dramatic ballad. She really feels the lyrics of this song. My note says: Perfect. It's not The Song or The Ballad. But it's perfect this way.

Save Me From Myself 8+ another great intro ! I would have given this track a good vote anyway, cos I like the way she sings it. After almost 20 tracks, it's not at the top of her lungs. It gives the listener a break, and this is good ! She doen't need to prove every track she has such a huge voice. Mariah took almost 10 years and a lot of albums to understand this. I really hope Christina is gonna get it sooner. This song is so good, so sweet. It's simple, straight. "Your tenderness" gives a good idea of what this song is about.

The Right Man 8 1/2 great, strong intro. It's a very dramatic and touching song. This could be a great single ! And it's perfect to end this double album. That's why it gets the highest vote :)

 

booklet: Ellen von Unwerth is a great photographer ! her style is so easy to be spotted :) She did an amazing job back in the days with Kylie Minogue, too.

I really like the cover, very classy. I don't like the pictures for Slow Down baby (boring... there are so many pictures so similar to this one...) and for NNB.

The best one is for Without You: it's so sensual, not sexual or the streetwalker style the Rolling Stone article talks about ! The one used for Back In The Day and ANOM reminds me alot of Cyndi Lauper !

Very good the little one next to I Got Trouble lyrics (Christina looks so sweet there). I'd really like to see the coloured version of the one for Oh Mother... didn't notice she has such amazing eyes ! She should show them so more... and her body so less ! :o

 

This is not a record that is trying to please people, Christina and her musicians haven't spent a year in the studio with the left ear at the charts, trying to re-create what was hot or overplayed by radios or tv stations. This is a record that wants to conquer people. Give it a listen: if you love it, you'll love it for such a long time. And you will love every track, cos even the bad and average ones will show you the dedication and the courage behind this work of art and love. Otherwise, B'uy the ones who keep doing the same old (strewalker) things: Christina doesn't need you anymore. She has a soul and wants the world to know...

 

 

The Italian edition has 2 stickers: one says: 2CDX1

The other: DELUXE PACKAGE. One woman. One voice. Two cds. 22 songs PLUS exclusive enhanced video content!

 

I would like to thank Blitz :)

 

LifeLight.conquered :cheer: :yahoo:

Great review LifeLight, so much detail. :o