Back To Basics
by Christina Aguilera
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Aug 15, 2006
User Score
8.8

Universal acclaim- based on 651 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 584 out of 651
  2. Mixed: 15 out of 651
  3. Negative: 52 out of 651

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  1. JordanF.
    Jul 14, 2007
    10
    fascinating!
  2. ROMINAV
    Jul 24, 2007
    10
    i love candyman but i dont like nasty naughty boy and fuss i love hurt and aint another man and understand and welcome and still dirty im the biggest fan in the world love ya christina
  3. Berry
    Nov 2, 2009
    6
    She should have had only one disc. There's a lot of good songs: Ain't no other Man, Makes me wanna pray, Hurt, Candy man, Mercy on me, Still Dirrty, Welcome,The right man, gosh I forgot the other ones! But there are a lot of pretty bad ones like F.U.S.S (too bland), Thank you (?) ( really xtina?! It's basically a bunch of her fans saying how great she is blah blah blah...It She should have had only one disc. There's a lot of good songs: Ain't no other Man, Makes me wanna pray, Hurt, Candy man, Mercy on me, Still Dirrty, Welcome,The right man, gosh I forgot the other ones! But there are a lot of pretty bad ones like F.U.S.S (too bland), Thank you (?) ( really xtina?! It's basically a bunch of her fans saying how great she is blah blah blah...It should have been HER thanking them! And the background music was Genie in a Bottle.) slow down baby (Another bland pop hip hop song) and Trouble (just boring and pointless). Her second cd was more solid though. I love Xtina and I'm really looking forward to her next album but this just wasn't very good. It pains me to say this but she always seems behind the trends musically. I'm not suggesting she needs to follow the current trends either but i'd like her to do HER OWN THING and be unique and maybe not sound like other people or drop the hip-hop driven beats and also maybe pay more attention to the originality of the songs written and the music? Don't know if I make sense but if she ever wants to be a more well-rounded artist then she should do these things. Also this album struck me as pretty pretentious in regards to the length, and some of the songs, such as both intros (even though I loved them) . I hope her next one is better!… Expand
  4. BryanW
    Dec 23, 2009
    9
    Her voice gives me goosebumps. Incredible vocal expertise, amazing ability to express emotions, really well-written tracks... Aren't they enough to make up a worthy album?
  5. SanchezI
    Nov 18, 2006
    10
    Great album, great singer, great person
  6. Roe
    Oct 21, 2006
    7
    Okay, so the album isn't perfect. In fact, there are some songs I haven't bothered to listen to yet(Without You and ThankYou) and it IS very self involved....but, it is interesting and distinct from anything else out there at the moment. And it's fun! Like pop music's supposed to be! Especially Candyman and Mercy on Me. I'm only giving it a seven 'cos she Okay, so the album isn't perfect. In fact, there are some songs I haven't bothered to listen to yet(Without You and ThankYou) and it IS very self involved....but, it is interesting and distinct from anything else out there at the moment. And it's fun! Like pop music's supposed to be! Especially Candyman and Mercy on Me. I'm only giving it a seven 'cos she does bleat on about her husband way too much. Thats one thing it could've done without. Stripped is better in that respect 'cos it has a wider range of song themes.… Expand
  7. RachelY.
    Dec 14, 2006
    10
    I really like the album a lot. I like the songs Hurt and Ain't No Other Man. I know all of the words. She's come a long way also.
  8. ChrisE
    Oct 22, 2006
    7
    Back to Basics is an admirable attempt by Christina Aguilera. But at a lengthy 23 tracks the art (at times) gets lost in the overall blandness of the material. There are some great songs here--"Save Me From Myself" is sultry R&B at its best (and one of Aguilera's best performances), "Welcome" is pure circus-inspired fun, "The Right Man" is introspection at its finest and "Candyman" Back to Basics is an admirable attempt by Christina Aguilera. But at a lengthy 23 tracks the art (at times) gets lost in the overall blandness of the material. There are some great songs here--"Save Me From Myself" is sultry R&B at its best (and one of Aguilera's best performances), "Welcome" is pure circus-inspired fun, "The Right Man" is introspection at its finest and "Candyman" is a delightful 50s-infused jingle--but for the number of good tracks on Back to Basics there seem to be even more bad ones (Disc 2 happens to be the most likable of the two). Disc 1's lead-off single (and first hit) "Ain't No Other Man" is decent material, but lacks that sound that makes an international No. 1 smash sngle a smash (which seems to be an issue with Aguilera's respectable, but not stellar career thus far); and the remaining tracks on Disc 1, though musically-inspired, also lack single material-sound. Christina's singing abilities are definitely as amazing as they've always been, but the nonstop wailing gets tiresome after repeated listens (which is why Disc 2 sounds so much better than its predecessor). Back to Basics is an admirable attempt for credibility as an artist, but it's far from being perfect. Nice try, though.… Expand
  9. alephoneproductions
    Dec 29, 2006
    10
    i liked it alot it does have some bad songs, but the good ones more than make up for them
  10. JohnnyA
    Aug 11, 2006
    10
    This is one of the best pop albums I've ever heard from such a young vocalist. She's really a great songwriter and DJ Premier has brought out the best in her. 15 years from now we will have yet another legend among us.
  11. Patrick
    Aug 12, 2006
    10
    I've never been a big fan of Aguilera's work, but it is impossible to deny that she is one of the best (if not the best) vocalists in the current music scene. Her latest two-disc set is nothing short of epic. One can only imagine how much time and effort was put into the conception of Back to Basics. Essentially what we see here is the maturation of a singer, and, quite frankly, I've never been a big fan of Aguilera's work, but it is impossible to deny that she is one of the best (if not the best) vocalists in the current music scene. Her latest two-disc set is nothing short of epic. One can only imagine how much time and effort was put into the conception of Back to Basics. Essentially what we see here is the maturation of a singer, and, quite frankly, it is something that is not often seen in this day and age of, for lack of a better word, crappy music. Too often do artists focus themselves on single themes and fail to broaden their horizons. Fortunately, Mrs. Aguilera is not one of those artists. The two-disc set consists of separately produced entities- the first produced by DJ Premier, the second by Linda Perry. We receive an introduction to the theme that is, well, not in any way subtle. Right at the start there is a proclamation of going "back to the basics." And from this point forward, the listener demands tangible evidence to support this assertion. Thankfully, Aguilera does so adeptly, though she covers a broader range of eras than she has reported in interviews. This is, however, a highly insignificant flaw. The main complaints that critics have voiced concerning this latest work are its apparent self-indulgence and failure to completely grasp the mood of the periods presented. In all honesty, I am shocked that Aguilera is not more self-indulgent in Back to Basics. I think anyone with a voice like hers would be very willing to brag incessantly. I do believe she is actually being modest in this work. As for the second complaint, I doubt it would exist if the critics knew nothing of Aguilera and her image before this album was released. Compare some of her songs on this new cd to some of the greats of the past. There really is not much of a difference (save some of the modern editing). Overall, I feel that this will redeem Aguilera as a vocalist rather than just a "performer." Indeed, I pity those who will go up against her come Grammy time. She is the sure front runner of the year.… Expand
  12. PeterH
    Aug 14, 2006
    10
    One of the best album I've ever heard! I wasn't Christina's huge fan during the release of her previous album 'Stripped', but after listening to this I can't say anything but 'WOW!!!!!!' Back to Basics is absolutley brilliant!
  13. AdrienD
    Aug 14, 2006
    10
    Amazing
  14. AnthonyM
    Aug 14, 2006
    10
    Amazing CD! Seriously, this girl never disappoints!
  15. VInceN
    Aug 14, 2006
    10
    Awesome album, no other in pop could have the talents and the balls to do this
  16. MattD.
    Aug 15, 2006
    6
    Aguilera has grown into her style at last. E! Online was being stupid as usual when they said they want another "Genie In A Bottle" - it is a good song, but its time is over! There are some cool grooves on this album. But Aguilera's vocals do not rise to the occasion. She still belts too much without mastering what she is singing. And the lyrics on the album do not rise above the Aguilera has grown into her style at last. E! Online was being stupid as usual when they said they want another "Genie In A Bottle" - it is a good song, but its time is over! There are some cool grooves on this album. But Aguilera's vocals do not rise to the occasion. She still belts too much without mastering what she is singing. And the lyrics on the album do not rise above the generic very often.… Expand
  17. JeffJ
    Aug 15, 2006
    10
    This album is amazing. Christina has really shined on this diverse and fresh new music. I love the old time jazz influences integrated with modern pop music.
  18. DiegoM
    Aug 15, 2006
    10
    this is just an amazing album, album of the year!
  19. DavidH
    Aug 15, 2006
    10
    This is a stunning, creative, and fresh album, from the packaging to the last track on disc 2. Christina really has set the bar with this one. What are with these critics with the low scores? I gave them a '1'.
  20. DaveW
    Aug 15, 2006
    2
    I'm sorry, but overall this CD is a mess. It's like Christina is trying to hard. The production, her vocals, everything. Too over the top. "Makes Me Wanna Pray" is like faux gospel and it comes off really fake. "Ain't No Other Man" suffers from her oversinging the song. Most of disc one is a piece of garbage. The only good songs come from disc 2, and there aren't many. I'm sorry, but overall this CD is a mess. It's like Christina is trying to hard. The production, her vocals, everything. Too over the top. "Makes Me Wanna Pray" is like faux gospel and it comes off really fake. "Ain't No Other Man" suffers from her oversinging the song. Most of disc one is a piece of garbage. The only good songs come from disc 2, and there aren't many. In fact, the only spectacular song is "Save Me From Myself," a song that entices chills without Aguilera screaming like a madwoman. It's easily her best song to date. Too bad most of the record is nothing like that song. Less is more, Christina. You may say you went back to basics, but really you went as over the top as possible on this one. Better luck next time.… Expand
  21. miguelr
    Aug 15, 2006
    0
    she is trying so hard , if you want to be a respectable artist stop copyng everbody else
  22. gracer
    Aug 15, 2006
    10
    AMAZING album. I can't stop listening to it. Props to Christina for recording such a masterpiece. This must be recognized at the Grammies! I reccommend it.
  23. kellys
    Aug 16, 2006
    10
    Her voice alone rates this album a 10. One of the most inventive and original sounds to come out in a long long while. Great Job Christina.
  24. ChristianA
    Aug 16, 2006
    10
    first listen, immediately fell for some songs and felt like i wanted more from others. second listen, i loved most songs and understood the rest. now, i can't stop listening to the album. critics will be critics, and in the end it's all politics. i admire her risk-taking and in the end, like other risk-takers, it will pay off. christina is an artist, undeniably, and an inspiration.
  25. BrianK
    Aug 16, 2006
    2
    A misfire on so many levels. It would probably take several pages to fully flesh out everything that is wrong with the album. To start off with, Christina comparing herself to the great singers of our time (Ella, Etta, Nina, among others) is preposterous. Yes, she is a phenomenal singer, easily the strongest one on the radio right now, but peeling away the shine of her vocal acrobatics A misfire on so many levels. It would probably take several pages to fully flesh out everything that is wrong with the album. To start off with, Christina comparing herself to the great singers of our time (Ella, Etta, Nina, among others) is preposterous. Yes, she is a phenomenal singer, easily the strongest one on the radio right now, but peeling away the shine of her vocal acrobatics reveals a staggering immaturity and lack of emotion in her voice 95% of the time. She lacks the timelessness and artistic generosity that is required of greatness -- it is and always will be about Xtina. And this is a huge thing on the whole record; her pride is beaten into your skull over and over again. Where to start on other things that are wrong... too broad a vision leads to lack of focus; too much belting and riffs deaden their effect; attempts at jazz come off as loungy and second-rate. But the real killer, the biggest unforgivable sin, is the track "Thank You." It is, in my opinion, the absolute worst kind of music that can be made -- music that not only makes the rest of the album worse, but also makes you feel bad for both the artist and the artist's fans. A handful of tunes that work (the most notable being "Candyman") redeem the album from a 0 or a 1.… Expand
  26. BrianB
    Aug 17, 2006
    10
    This album is nothing short of amazing! Christina has really hit an atristic peak as a vocalist and songwriter.
  27. HarleyW
    Aug 18, 2006
    10
    Amazing amazing amazing!!! Mercy on Me is my favorite by far as well as Candyman.
  28. AndrewG
    Aug 18, 2006
    10
    This is definitely album of the year! You will not find anything better combined onto two discs over twenty-two songs. This really makes her different from her rivals as vocally and creatively she has gone somewhere different. Before you judge and believe these foolish reviews, check the album out yourself, I promise you you will not be disappointed! Its 1 hour and 20 minutes of music you This is definitely album of the year! You will not find anything better combined onto two discs over twenty-two songs. This really makes her different from her rivals as vocally and creatively she has gone somewhere different. Before you judge and believe these foolish reviews, check the album out yourself, I promise you you will not be disappointed! Its 1 hour and 20 minutes of music you won't regret hearing! ;)… Expand
  29. BryanC
    Aug 19, 2006
    10
    Christina's Back to Basics album is a cut above the rest. She's a real artist who is not afraid of being creative and expresses herself in her music.
  30. LitaT
    Aug 22, 2006
    10
    this album is gonna have a big time at the grammys 2006 :)
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Awards & Rankings

8
#8 Most Discussed Album of 2006
8
#8 Most Shared Album of 2006

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
69

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. The Guardian
    40
    Beyond the retro instrumentation, however, it's unclear what Aguilera has really learned from her idols.
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  2. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Aguilera doesn't have the gravitas of her heroes, and her forays into bluesy torch singing and '40s-style swing are stiff and mannered. But she needn't genuflect before the past -- she can make her own glorious kind of 21st-century noise.
    Read full review
  3. musicOMH.com
    40
    This rather bloated record should be regarded as a disappointment - an interesting one, but a disappointment none the less.
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