She's the bionic lady ......

So in case you missed it...Christina "Xtina" Aguilera performed on the 2010 MTV Movie Awards and she performed a medley of her new album bionic.



Ladies and Gents, you did see a glowing heart on that outfit. Yes, a glowing heart and "whoohoo."

I have to say I was not impressed by this performance at all. I mean it's probably the most fun performance she's done in a while, but seriously the lyrics to "Whoohoo," leave more to be imagined. I don't want to sound like a hater because I like Xtina but this is just too much...and it seems so...I don't know what to call it.

Which is how I feel about her latest album. I wanted to really like it, it's good but it's also very annoying.

Aguilera's fourth album, the aptly titled "bionic" has been a long one in the making but then again, all Christina Aguilera albums take a while to get out. On top of that, when she does return to the music scene she offers fans a lot of new material.

The media has been hyping up Aguilera's return since it was leaked that she would be working with Santigold, Le Tigre, Ladytron and Sia. In other words "Bionic" is a big deal.

Fast forward, internet leaks, lady gaga comparisons and the aforementioned awards performance and it brings us to "Bionic."

What can you say about an 18 track album other than it's self-indulgent? But then again, Christina Aguilera is self-indulgent. On "Bionic" she dips into the ever-trendy electropop and the results are some of the better songs she's done in a while but the problem is they lack emotion.

What I've come to love about Aguilera is not just her amazing vocal range but the emotional appeal she brings to her music. Other than the ballads that are mistakenly clumped together, "Bionic" offers rare glimpses into Aguilera as a person. Sure, she sings about sex (WhooHoo, Sex for Breakfast)and how amazing she is (Prima Donna, Glam, Vanity) but where is the Christina Aguilera in all of this? In the insipid "Elastic Love," (produced by MIA) it's all too obvious that under the weight of robotic synths that Aguilera loses herself in the music. The lead single "Not Myself Tonight," is perhaps the weakest track on the entire album the entire thing is misguided. We know you're a dirrty girl Xtina, but its time to show us something else. Most puzzling track "I Hate Boys." Oh really? Is that how it is? ....but wait..she's married!

*facepalm


Although "Bionic" is a thrill ride, only suffering from the missteps of too much of the same formula it would be nice if the real Christina Aguilera popped in.


technical grade: B
Smitty's grade: C-