Bionic
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Bionic Image
Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 21 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.2

Universal acclaim- based on 830 Ratings

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  • Summary: Subtlety not being part of Christina Aguilera’s vocabulary, she trades the retro-swing of Back to Basics for the future-pop of Bionic, receiving assists from a roster that reads like a who’s-who of progressive pop in 2010: M.I.A., Le Tigre, Peaches, and John Hill & Switch, known forSubtlety not being part of Christina Aguilera’s vocabulary, she trades the retro-swing of Back to Basics for the future-pop of Bionic, receiving assists from a roster that reads like a who’s-who of progressive pop in 2010: M.I.A., Le Tigre, Peaches, and John Hill & Switch, known for their work with Santigold. But like the half-cyborg/half-diva illustration of the album cover, this revamp is only partial. Aguilera hedges her bets by adding a ballad from old friend Linda Perry, gets Tricky Stewart to produce a trio of cuts, drafts Polow da Don and Focus… to produce some heavy and slow R&B, respectively, letting enough air into the machines to reassure hesitant fans that she hasn’t abandoned her roots. All this hesitancy means that for as many risks as it takes, Bionic doesn’t feel daring. Apart from the stuttering opener of the title track and glassy chill of “Elastic Love,” notably the two Hill & Switch productions, this never delivers the future shock it promises, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, because the robot-diva hybrids are often interesting even when they stumble, as they do on “WooHoo,” its incessant title loop piercing like a dental drill. Exhibit A in Xtina’s curious tin ear for sex, “WooHoo” doesn’t work as temptation, not when the chorus come-on is “licky licky yum yum,” but her crassness is no longer alienating as it was on Stripped; it’s simply part of her persona, just like her shameless narcissism, showcased on the closing “Vanity,” where she gets her kid to confirm that she’s the greatest of them all. This triumphant self-possession comes so naturally to Christina that it’s hard not to wish that she acted so boldly throughout Bionic, letting the entirety of the record be as distinctly odd as its best moments. Frankly, the deluxe edition of Bionic does suggest what the album could have been: it’s supplemented by four bonus songs that are wildly imaginative, whether it’s the clattering, chanting “Bobblehead,” the cool synth glide of “Birds of Prey,” the perfect new wave pop of “Monday Morning,” or Sia’s mournful ballad “Stronger Than Ever.” In their place on the album proper are competent, relatively colorless club odes to fashion and fabulousness and Perry’s boring inspirational “Lift Me Up,” songs that play to Aguilera’s persona without inhabiting it. The rest of Bionic -- not just the hipster flirtations and Sia’s trio of richly ruminative AAA ballads, but the tracks directly within Aguilera’s wheelhouse, like Tricky Stewart’s wildly successful, slinky “Desnudate,” and the sultry slow burner “Sex for Breakfast” -- find Christina not playing to expectations but simply acting as a natural diva and is all the more compelling for it. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine… Expand
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Genre(s): R&B, Soul, Urban, Adult Contemporary, Pop/Rock, Dance-Pop, Contemporary Pop/Rock, Euro-Pop, Neo-Soul
  • More Details and Credits »

Top Track

You Lost Me
I am done, smoking gun We've lost it all, the love is gone She has won. Now it's no fun We've lost it all, the love is gone And we had magic And... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 17 out of 21
  3. Negative: 1 out of 21
  1. AllMusic
    80
    This triumphant self-possession comes so naturally to Christina that it's hard not to wish that she acted so boldly throughout Bionic, letting the entirety of the record be as distinctly odd as its best moments.
  2. Los Angeles Times
    75
    For the most part--and in the album's most successful vein--Aguilera plays a hyper-sexed lover bot ready to tie you to the bed posts rather than tie your ears into knots with a well-executed legato.
  3. The Guardian
    60
    If nothing else, it all proves that Aguilera is a woman of many parts, which may be the point of this occasionally brilliant and brave, occasionally teeth-gritting and stupid album.
  4. Entertainment Weekly
    50
    Aguilera's vocal supremacy has always been her multi-octave trump card. Alas, that natural gift is too often negated on Bionic by her penchant for stock step-class beats and an aggressive, exhausting hypersexuality.
  5. New Musical Express (NME)
    50
    Daring as some of the tracks are, they overwhelmingly loop her vocal around a generic house lick that has the effect of giving her very little to do vocally.
  6. Drowned In Sound
    50
    Whatever the case, for Christina Aguilera, the x-factor has gone. The daring single minded focus has apparently been lost.
  7. Chicago Tribune
    25
    It would've been fascinating to see how far a full-blown collaboration might've taken her, but Aguilera spreads out the songwriting and production credits in search of more hits, most of which come off as flimsy gimmicks.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 166 out of 210
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 210
  3. Negative: 20 out of 210
  1. LucaISlandDJ
    Sep 12, 2011
    10
    Altought this album doesn't reach the great sounds of Stripped, Christina did her best as ever. The up-tempo songs like Not Myself Tonight areAltought this album doesn't reach the great sounds of Stripped, Christina did her best as ever. The up-tempo songs like Not Myself Tonight are really energic. The best song of the album is a ballad, Lift Me Up sang beautifully.… Expand
  2. PaulC
    Jun 18, 2010
    10
    The album is great ... Vanity is amazing, Woohoo made me wanna dance, the ballads prove she's a voice that matters ... music critics are The album is great ... Vanity is amazing, Woohoo made me wanna dance, the ballads prove she's a voice that matters ... music critics are not paying enough attention this time ... her work is outstanding.… Expand
  4. CarlosHK
    Jun 10, 2010
    10
    the best album of the last 4 years. exactly what we were waiting, futuristic sound with ballads that show Christina's voice and nothing the best album of the last 4 years. exactly what we were waiting, futuristic sound with ballads that show Christina's voice and nothing more. That's Christina, no one else.… Expand
  5. Heyitscarlos
    Feb 2, 2021
    10
    I honestly believe this was her velvet rope moment, the world just wasnt ready for it. Its so current if you listen to it today. I dont thinkI honestly believe this was her velvet rope moment, the world just wasnt ready for it. Its so current if you listen to it today. I dont think the critics were fair towards this record and they were definitely comparing her to Lady Gaga at the time. i dont think they understood that even Christina Aguilera can have a concept album.… Expand
  6. FranzO
    Jun 10, 2010
    9
    It's an amazing album that has everything for everyone. I love its diversity which some people do not appreciate. I think that is what It's an amazing album that has everything for everyone. I love its diversity which some people do not appreciate. I think that is what makes it a strong record. The benefits from this outweigh the disadvantages so I don't mind - it's amazing to listen to. … Expand
  7. MariaB.
    Jun 8, 2010
    8
    Christina is just the best singer of her generation!! and this album shows just that!!
  8. TylerD
    Jun 10, 2010
    0
    Copycat. I've got all the original artists songs and CDs already. No need to buy this outdated and copying the trends CD.

See all 210 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

5
#5 Most Discussed Album of 2010
6
#6 Most Discussed Album of 2010
6
#6 Most Shared Album of 2010

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