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http://enjoyment.independent.co.uk/music/r...icle1218243.ece Album: Christina Aguilera Back to Basics, RCA *** By Andy Gill Published: 11 August 2006 Christina Aguilera certainly has an unusual idea of getting "back to basics", which here involves not just the album you expect, full of shrill diva disco-pop, but an additional album on which she unveils her "new direction", full of simulated blues and big-band swing. Presumably, then, the album title is referring not to a stripped-down simplicity of approach, but to the roots, or "basics", of the R&B in which she plies her trade. Even the standard album features several tributes to her forerunners in the jazz and soul genres, notably "Back In The Day", built on a Jimmy Castor Bunch riff, before she even gets to the full-on jaaazz album. For the most part, though, it's business as usual, with the urgent discofied hysteria and vocal showboating of tracks like the single "Ain't No Other Man" and "Without You" interspersed with the overwrought sentimentality of the Madonna-esque "Oh Mother" and the concluding "Thank You", on which Aguilera's grateful vocal is punctuated with fans' answerphone tributes thanking Christina for her "guidance", a notion that truly beggars belief. In places her respect for her R&B ancestors pays welcome dividends, notably on the rolling horn-sample grooves of "Here To Stay" and "Slow Down Baby" and the gospelly "Makes Me Wanna Pray", built on a lift from Traffic's "Glad". But the shortcomings of the diva working method are plain on "On Our Way", whose chorus vocal jumps haphazardly about without establishing a coherent emotional tone. The touchstones for the "bold, set vision" of the second disc, she claims, are such as Billie Holiday, Otis Redding, Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald. Produced by Linda Perry, this set effectively finds Aguilera stealing the clothes off retro-swing-rapper Nellie McKay's back, calling out "come here big boy" over razzy big-band stripper music on "Nasty Naughty Boy", as if she were Madonna in "Hanky Panky" mode. The samples on this disc are more likely to be from an oompah or Marines brass band than funk or soul acts, though the album lurches towards an overbearingly maudlin, string-drenched conclusion with a clutch of impassioned big production numbers. And it's questionable whether the bogus Bessie Smith-style blues "I Got Trouble" is best served by the fake vinyl scratches and "antique" process through which her voice is filtered. But it's not quite the disrespectful farrago one might expect - and although it will rate few plays at the expense of the more mainstream material, she should, I suppose, be applauded for acknowledging her musical forebears. DOWNLOAD THIS: 'Slow Down Baby', 'Here To Stay', 'Makes Me Wanna Pray', 'Candyman' Christina Aguilera certainly has an unusual idea of getting "back to basics", which here involves not just the album you expect, full of shrill diva disco-pop, but an additional album on which she unveils her "new direction", full of simulated blues and big-band swing. Presumably, then, the album title is referring not to a stripped-down simplicity of approach, but to the roots, or "basics", of the R&B in which she plies her trade. Even the standard album features several tributes to her forerunners in the jazz and soul genres, notably "Back In The Day", built on a Jimmy Castor Bunch riff, before she even gets to the full-on jaaazz album. For the most part, though, it's business as usual, with the urgent discofied hysteria and vocal showboating of tracks like the single "Ain't No Other Man" and "Without You" interspersed with the overwrought sentimentality of the Madonna-esque "Oh Mother" and the concluding "Thank You", on which Aguilera's grateful vocal is punctuated with fans' answerphone tributes thanking Christina for her "guidance", a notion that truly beggars belief. In places her respect for her R&B ancestors pays welcome dividends, notably on the rolling horn-sample grooves of "Here To Stay" and "Slow Down Baby" and the gospelly "Makes Me Wanna Pray", built on a lift from Traffic's "Glad". But the shortcomings of the diva working method are plain on "On Our Way", whose chorus vocal jumps haphazardly about without establishing a coherent emotional tone. The touchstones for the "bold, set vision" of the second disc, she claims, are such as Billie Holiday, Otis Redding, Etta James and Ella Fitzgerald. Produced by Linda Perry, this set effectively finds Aguilera stealing the clothes off retro-swing-rapper Nellie McKay's back, calling out "come here big boy" over razzy big-band stripper music on "Nasty Naughty Boy", as if she were Madonna in "Hanky Panky" mode. The samples on this disc are more likely to be from an oompah or Marines brass band than funk or soul acts, though the album lurches towards an overbearingly maudlin, string-drenched conclusion with a clutch of impassioned big production numbers. And it's questionable whether the bogus Bessie Smith-style blues "I Got Trouble" is best served by the fake vinyl scratches and "antique" process through which her voice is filtered. But it's not quite the disrespectful farrago one might expect - and although it will rate few plays at the expense of the more mainstream material, she should, I suppose, be applauded for acknowledging her musical forebears. DOWNLOAD THIS: 'Slow Down Baby', 'Here To Stay', 'Makes Me Wanna Pray', 'Candyman' LifeLight

Added the maxi tracklist :) no dvd this time LifeLight

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,2...5006024,00.html CAMERON ADAMS talks with Nelly Furtado about her Coldplay mate Chris Martin. Your last album, Folklore, kind of disappeared after your debut Whoa Nelly was a massive hit. What do you learn from that? I learnt you can't take anything for granted. In the beginning I had all these opportunities, like winning a Grammy, opening for U2, playing Saturday Night Live, doing photo shoots for Vanity Fair . . . I just thought everybody had that kind of luck first time out. Now I see it was beginner's luck. With Folklore people weren't ready, it's a mixture of luck and fate and trends. It was such an intimate and personal album it was a stepping stone for me. I wanted to show people I wasn't just this cartoon character from the I'm Like a Bird video. I guess I'm a little bit guilty of being that selfish artist who uses their albums to work through things. It's a cult favourite, Folklore. It's the fan favourite. The people who like that album really, really like it. Whoa Nelly was like the big loud girl at the party who was in everyone's face. Folklore is the dark serious girl on the couch who wants to have a serious discussion with you in the corner. Loose is the whole party. Loose is a change in direction. It sounds weird, but it's almost like I was born again as a female with the birth of my daughter (Nevis). I feel like I'm claiming my femininity more on this album. You've got a more sexy image now. I've definitely changed that way. Before my closet was 90 per cent sneakers and 10 per cent fancy shoes, now it's all high heels and one pair of gym runners. When I had a baby my body changed . . . as an artist you have to challenge your fans, show them you're evolving. People are attracted to change, to vulnerability. You did a duet with Chris Martin on Loose's All Good Things, then his voice was removed. What happened there? That version is on the internet somewhere. It wasn't a traditional duet. Chris really wanted to come in and meet (producer) Tim(baland). Tim didn't want to make it a duet so he sampled his voice and it weaved in and out. It was so beautiful, it was actually quite groundbreaking the way he infused his vocal in it. It's still really good without the vocal, but at the last minute his label said "No, we can't do that" because his vocal was a little more raw than it sounds on a Coldplay record. It was unfortunate, maybe we can put it on a B-side album. I want to do a B-side album next year, there was a lot of stuff left over from Loose. So it was a mutual love-in between Chris and Timbaland? Oh yeah. Timbaland was jamming (Coldplay's) X&Y like mad. All Timbaland would talk about was Coldplay. He was like "That guy's the truth". He would play the CD and sing all the lyrics. Coincidentally I bumped into Chris backstage at the MTV Awards in Miami. We used to be friends when we were doing our first albums in England. He said "You're working with Timbaland, that's amazing, can I come by? I'd love to see how he works." I said "Tim would love to meet you, you don't understand . . ." When you say you used to be friends with Chris, is it true you were once 'special friends'? No! Everyone thinks that's true, but no, we were just friends. So how did Chris and Tim's meeting go? Chris was kind of humble and shy and nervous. Timbaland was the same. They were like schoolkids. I had to be the one to say "Tim, turn your keyboard on. Chris here's your guitar, sit down, get on with it." I don't think they would have made music otherwise. Once we got going it was like Chris had this inner James Brown he had to exorcise. Hang on: Chris Martin funky? Hey, at one point Chris was doing his own rendition of Jay-Z's Dirt Off Your Shoulders. It was brilliant! When HiT spoke to him Chris was coy about the rumours he's doing something solo with Timbaland. I think he might do a solo project in the future. It'd be great. Actually Timbaland and I are talking about doing a Gorillaz/Gnarls Barkley-style band collaborative effort. We found it quite freeing in the studio, it was really liberating to not have the pressure of being a solo artist. In the music business you get so busy promoting, but when you let yourself make music magical things happen. You said Timbaland is like 'ET on the boards'. Are you saying he's an extra-terrestrial? It seems like he beams in a sound from outer space. It's really interesting to watch. He really becomes the rhythm when he makes beats. You recorded a song, Crowd Control, with Justin Timberlake that hasn't ended up on either of your albums. He might put it out as a B-side or something. He's very funny and really talented. I didn't really understand how talented he is until I worked with him. He's full of ideas and concepts. And he's in your Maneater video. We invited him to shake his booty in the video. He was nervous, he was like "I'm the odd person out." So let's talk more about this band you and Timbaland are thinking about. How serious is it? We're even fooling around with band names, like the Awake. We were inspired by Eurythmics and Blondie. It'll be like the UNKLE project. When I was in the studio with Chris and Tim I felt I was watching something great happening. To tap into that intense energy is the reason I make music. You can't pay for those moments. So you wouldn't front the band? I'd be one of the singers, plus maybe Justin, Chris, Missy (Elliott) . . . it'd be neat if it was a real collective. Between your contacts and Timbaland's contacts . . . I think it'd be amazing. The idea is to shut off our Blackberrys and work for two weeks straight and call the album In Two Weeks. We'll see. LifeLight

From NME The Thrills make 'best work to date' As they complete third album The Thrills have completed their third album which they have proclaimed is their 'best work to date'. The as yet untitled album will be the follow up to 2004's 'Let's Bottle Bohemia' and was recorded in Vancouver. It has been produced by Tony Hoffer. Posting on their myspace site on the final day of recording (August 5), singer Conor Deasy wrote: "It's the last night in the studio. We've been working from noon 'till 1 in the morning for a month and half with one day off a week. "I believe this record will be our best work to date. The songs have really risen to the occasion. There's only been one casualty. Maybe she'll turn up on another record. We recorded our first instrumental. Could be a good opener. We're going to go home for a week or so. Get some sleep and perspective, then regroup and mix it." A release date for the album has not been announced. MySpace entry: UPDATE : VANCOUVER NEWS - ALBUM RECORDING COMPLETE It's the last night in the studio. We've been working from noon 'till 1 in the morning for a month and half with one day off a week. I believe this record will be our best work to date. The songs have really risen to the occasion. There's only been one casualty. Maybe she'll turn up on another record. We recorded our first instrumental. Could be a good opener. We're going to go home for a week or so. Get some sleep and perspective, then regroup and mix it. There were visitors. Nick, our A&R guy, came over to inspect proceedings. However, he spent the lion's share of his time down by English Bay in The Soho Arms downing pints of bitter, wearing the new Liverpool strip. Guinness travels better. Tony's (The Producer) wife also visited. She got a part in Days Of Our Lives. We all tuned in. She was great in it. The setting was a bar on the wrong side of town. There was a brawl, a mysterious leather hand and the guy with a past suffering from amnesia with a patch over his eye. All in one scene. Max Dodson, our favorite photographer who directed our first video for One Horse Town, came over and took some shots of us playing in the studio. The proposed shoot on the roof of the studio had to be curtailed after Padraic and Ben simultaneously fouled Max in a truly horrific tackle during a friendly football game. Max couldn't walk let alone climb up to the roof. There was a distinct lack of sportsmanship about the incident given the friendly nature of the game and taking into account the sanctimonious lecturing these two individuals had given everyone about having a clean game beforehand. Ben also trampled over Tony's plane which just happened to be landing in the middle of the pitch mid game. Ben's reputation as hard hitter, despite his tender lady's man tendencies, still stands since The Florida Episode last year when he dislodged a bone in Padraic's hand, whose guitar playing style has never quite been the same since. Our model airplane fetish has escalated. The planes have once again been upgraded. We only realized at a later date that Padraic's model bore a close resemblance to a World War Two Nazi bomber. Bryan Adams, the owner of the studio, came down down to say hi. We boasted that we would be flying from and landing on the ten story car park across the street the next night. However, since it's our last night and we are running around like headless chickens trying to tie up loose ends, all planes have been grounded for the foreseeable future. In the last blog I mentioned how this studio is rumored to be haunted. Since we relocated to Studio One last week, we have had some first hand supernatural experiences. For example, there is a door in the basement that has a mind of its own. On various occasions members of the band have been locked in the basement despite the fact that the door is unlocked and the lock is visibly unhinged. Despite intense pushing from the outside and pulling from the inside, the door remains inexplicably shut tight as if by some magnetic force. One time the door suddenly swung open and hit an already rattled Padraic. We discovered a music store that rents instruments for a dollar and fifty cents a day. Canadian dollars. This has encouraged some flights of fancy. Daniel is currently doing a personal crash course on the violin and preparing to record a part. If he can't cut it, there's a busker outside the hotel who will get the gig. The new Sleepy Jackson album sounds beautiful. I'm very jealous. Tony and Todd want to see Snakes On A Plane even though they acknowledge there is no way it could live up to such a title. Last week the spectacular Vancouver Fireworks Festival was being held. Ben got a new computer. It makes Padraic's old computer look like some Fisher Price $h!t. Ben is reading The Art Of Happiness. Padraic is struggling with An Introduction To Buddhism. I am flicking through a biography of F Scott Fitzgerald. Kevin is recognizing himself in The Beautiful And Damned. Daniel is house hunting online. We've had a great time in Vancouver but our work is done and now it's time to go home. Conor. http://blog.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseacti...20-9d33722378a4 LifeLight

Her performance at VMA is confirmed. Just found this, but can't find a confirmation of this: Performing "CandyMan" on 06' VMA. If she's really performing this, there's a huge chance it's gonna be the 2nd single ! :) LifeLight

I bought it. And I'm happy I did it :) LifeLight

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:

Blue is an old album, I think from 70s :) LifeLight

What's wrong with UK Starbucks ? :( :( :( LifeLight

Maybe cos you have them in your computer cash. :o The don't work for me :( Are other pics of the booklet shoot available ? LifeLight

For a lot of European fans, it's just one: Friday's the day ! :) LifeLight

No :o I'm just looking for some info on B2B and I took a look at this thread to see what's around :) Posted the message to let this thread be updated :) the link you just posted doesn't work... it has this: http:/// maybe the dots made some trouble :o This new site is very good ! LifeLight

Blitz, you're such a loyal fan :) It's not I don't like Christina sexuality (I well know she has one :) ), but I don't like the way she uses her body.... it's just sexual and not sensual. The Dirrty video was so gross ! no class at all. Well, big doubt, this time :) B2B was not on my list, must admit, but ANOM is quite nice, the (fan) reviews are so good (and sincere, too... I havent' read: it's a masterpiece !and so on... there are good critics and bad one, too... even if so many people are writing disc 2 is huge !:) ) and the cover is great ! I think I will be reading the lyrics a lot, in the next few days :) thanx again :) LifeLight

please note that xtinaxpression.com will change the host and the domain too.Please affiliates and elite affiliates change the url to xtinaxpression.org. The .com domain will close 19th August. :) It's taking me ages to open the new site, tho' ! :o LifeLight

Thanx a lot Blitz ! very nice :) LifeLight

I'm saying this cos there are so many nice people here and I wanna be sincere :) I really don't know if I'm gonna buy this album. I think Christina voice is great and her ballads are huge, but I don't like at all her dirrty image. the cover of B2B is so good, but the backcover is so bad. I don't think she really needs to dress like a *****(guess what :o ) to sell records, cos she's talented enough to dress like a nun and still be at the top of the charts. I know this is quite silly, sorry. But buying would me supporting all of this and I don't want to do it. That's why I bought the beautuful and TWW singles, but not the others. This new albums seem a big step forward from that Dirrty imagery, as the reviews say. Especially the 2nd cd, where she uses her talent and her voice, whenre she brings out all the soul she has inside. Buying it or not ? I know it's useless to ask this here, but I'm making my mind up. LifeLight

Thanx a lot Blitz ! I asked cos the thread says: all the lyrics, but SDB abd Ain't no other man lyrics are missing :) LifeLight

Are Slow Down Baby lyrics available ? LifeLight

tracklist: Remember More Today Than Yesterday I Want You I Love You (That's All That Really Matters) What About Love The Look Of Love Crazy Little Thing Called Love Lovely Day To Be Loved Only You I Will You Are So Beautiful Always And Forever Remember Reprise Out: Oct 2 LifeLight

Chart matters are quite strange, now... Maybe they'll "save" B2B sales for next week charts, cos thats' the proper release date, maybe they'll count them for this week. Italian sales are counted till Friday, when the new releasesa are out. So Christina should have only 3 days to charts. The mistery will be solved next week, when this week charts will be published ! Grandwicky: yes I am :) Kelly: I'm definitely not this Nicky you mention, sorry :o Btw, it's great to see the cd in the shops ! :) LifeLight

it looks strange to me as well... but it's out ! seen it with my eyes ! It was in a shopwindow !!! :o :o :o LifeLight

If you move the title from New Release Schedule - to New Single Release Schedule - it clearly means you want only singles, there... :rolleyes: LifeLight

Is possible to read the blog entry without subscribing ? :o LifeLight

Such a shock, today ! B2B is already out in Italy ! The day of new releases is usually Friday ! But the labels closed for holiday last week and Aug 15 is holiday, so... It's out ! There's a sticker with 2X1 (2cds for 1) LifeLight

It should be a cover album, but no release date, yet.. It may be out later this year... late Oct/early Nov This is all I know :o LifeLight