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-

Lady Christina Goes Gaga (or not!)

It's been brought to my attention, that Lady Gaga has ushered in a new era of pop. From bizarre futuristic outfits, electronica based music and a throwback to the excess of the 80s, you would be hard pressed to find a female celebrity/singer who is not incorporating Gaga's brand of pop into their bag of tricks.

But when is copying, flat out copying?

Christina Aguilera has been accused of basically running with Gaga's aesthetic is getting ready to release her next album, "Bionic." However, Akon, who signed Gaga, thinks she is going ta for ta when it comes down to it. In the latest issue of VIBE he was quoted as saying:
“Aw man, that’s not even any competition. You are actually giving Christina too much credit. She always had her cool little look and way about how she went about things. But soon as Gaga came out everything switched up.

"Christina stepped out of her own shell to become something different. And the crazy thing is Christina is really talented. She has unlimited range when it comes to singing. Her voice is out of here. I just think she just needs to believe in herself more. I think sometimes she gets insecure because of all of the success Gaga has had not realizing that she was already successful before Gaga came out.”

Akon nailed it on the head, Christina Aguilera has a great voice. Lady Gaga also has a great voice, but when it comes down to vocal chops--Aguilera wins. In an effort to stay relevant, because all pop stars are getting into the sound of the future, it would only from a logical marketing angle, milk this trend.

Aguilera's new single:


"Not Myself Tonight," is pretty decent for a pop song. Yet, while it's decent, it doesn't have the club sleaze that Gaga fans look for nor, the trainwreck appeal of a Britney club banger. Aguilera works best when she is working to show off her vocals to their strongest. This single is a bit dated, as Aguilera talks about kissing girls and boys (oh the shocker!) but come on every pop star now-a-days is fessing up about having kissed a girl at some point, now it's boring. I love Christina Aguilera's music she is a talented woman, but she needn't resort to the tricks of the trade.

I guess we'll have to wait for "Bionic," to fully develop before we can call Xtina a biter of true proportions.

Christina Aguilera goes geek on you.

So, the interweb is abuzz about Christina Aguilera's comeback into the music scene, with her new album "Bionic" which will hit shelves June 8th (oh snap! before my birthday!) and I'm totally excited.

Aguilera, was a bit missing from the scene, as she took some time off to take care of her son Max. Aguilera's last album "Back to Basics" was basically a foray into old-school blues and soul music, and spawned some hits like "Hurt," "Aint no other man" and of course, "candyman."

The new album, has Christina taking a bite out of the Lady Gaga craze, utilizing electro --it's the new pop thing to do. Colloborators include M.I.A, Santogold, Le Tigre, Sia.Christopher "Tricky" Stewart and Goldfrapp. This is going to be hella exciting. Although I'm really not feeling the cover, still excited by the album just not into the accompanying artwork, oh and make sure to check out the album trailer, it's totally sci-fi!


Album Trailer