Album review: Christina Aguilera, 'Bionic'
For the last decade, Christina Aguilera’s career has been as much or more about marketing as it has been about singing. It’s a shame, because as pop-machine creations go, Aguilera has genuine chops as vocalist, and far greater upside than just about any of her peers in the late-‘90s teen-pop invasion.
On her 1999 self-titled debut album, she distinguished herself from the Britney/Backstreet Boys pack with a rangy voice that belied her youth (plus, “Genie in a Bottle” was a fetching single). After that, her career has taken a series of curious turns. Her albums have moments that live up to her promise, but are weighed down by ill-advised concepts, garish over-singing and off-putting celebrations of self (or even more off-putting complaints about just how tough it is to be Xtina).
Her 2002 album, “Stripped,” confused growing up with stripper-pole come-on’s, and “Back to Basics” (2006) tried to turn her into a swing-era throwback who claimed she worshiped Etta James and Aretha Franklin, but then over-sang so much that it’s clear she hadn’t learned a thing from those icons. Now comes “Bionic” (RCA), which presents her as … a robot?
Actually, futurism is all the rage lately. Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Janelle Monae are all doing variations on sci-fi themes and sexy android characters. Besides working with producers who have defined mainstream radio pop the last decade (Tricky Stewart, Polow Da Don, Linda Perry), she enlists edgier collaborators, including M.I.A. and her coproducer, Switch; Berlin-based feminist provocateur Peaches; dance-punk trio Le Tigre (including riot grrrl icon Kathleen Hannah); and Santigold producer John Hill.
The idea is to reinvent Aguilera as a techno-age diva, which means folding her voice inside uptempo dance music and glitchy electronic textures. As she declares on “Not Myself Tonight”: “I’m doing things I normally don’t do.” OK, sounds interesting so far; by making the singer’s prodigious voice less of a focal point, “Bionic” puts the emphasis on the production, the sound, the sheer audacity of upsetting expectations.
The strategy is most successful on “Elastic Love,” in which the electro beats – conjured by Hill and Switch – propel Aguilera through a psychedelic arcade of sound effects. 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.
Even by the standards of her first album, which catered to the teen market, “Bionic” is juvenile. “WooHoo” approximates dancehall reggae and distorts her voice while she spouts, “Licky, licky, yum-yum, what a great guy!”
The focus on beats ensures that these tunes will sound even sillier off the dancefloor. She dispenses fashion tips (“Don’t let the clothes wear you!”) while recycling Madonna’s “Vogue” on “Glam.” She sings in Spanish and moans a lot while demanding “Get naked!” on “Denudate.” “I Hate Boys” is the kind of trite glitter-disco the Spice Girls might’ve dispensed. And even the vaunted Le Tigre/Peaches combo platter on “My Girls” fails to ignite.
Sandwiched between the dance tracks are a handful of ballads that allow Aguilera to flex her vocal muscles. These songs have a tacked-on quality, as if they were afterthoughts designed to sate those Aguilera fans who would complain about all the sci-fi dance tracks. But, really, does the world need another over-emoted power ballad like the Linda Perry-written and produced “Lift Me Up”?
Desperation takes hold as “Vanity” wraps up the album. Strutting like a Pussycat Doll, Aguilera intones: “Let us not forget who owns the throne.” A child’s voice answers: “You do, mommy.”
Sarcasm? Don’t bet on it.
greg@gregkot.com
this deserves at least a 3/5, what a hater.
i'm no longer reading any of your reviews.
Posted by: Trav | June 07, 2010 at 12:54 AM
i never liked her and bionic seems like a complete miss
Posted by: dan | June 07, 2010 at 05:01 AM
a child's voice, its max hello!!!! and this album is far better then anything she has ever done, why do the media always have 2 put xtina down? shes far better then britney and all them lot put 2gether,
Posted by: kelli | June 07, 2010 at 05:32 AM
A nonsence blogger doesn't mean any thing
=))
Posted by: Xtina | June 07, 2010 at 06:43 AM
Great Review, you are right on! (sans the Spice Girls Jab!)
Posted by: Edgar | June 07, 2010 at 10:07 AM
Plain, mean spirited hater!!! i think you only like a certain genre and play favorites! You shouldn't be a critic!
Posted by: Ponti Pontiveros | June 07, 2010 at 10:07 AM
the blogger is an idiot!
Posted by: Rod | June 07, 2010 at 10:09 AM
i don't understand why the media has been so biased and harsh on xtina? why? you are suppose to support great talent. bionic is not a bad album. this album is totally different from what is out there right now. it's sad the media has been helping deteriorate the music industry by dissing great artists and applauding mediocre ones. and just to remind you - as a journalist (are u a legit one anyway) you have to be objective. this review is biased. please stop conditioning the public's mind which artist to support or not by writing reviews. this is a disgrace!
Posted by: JM | June 07, 2010 at 10:39 AM
bionic is a complete mess! I remember when she kept rambling on and on about how futuristic this album was gonna be. after hearing all the tracks, bionic is just a bunch of outdated urban b-sides with some syrupy ballads... man was I disappointed!
Posted by: qw | June 07, 2010 at 10:57 AM
I couldn't have written a better review of this trash heap of an album. Thank God for the Chicago Tribune!
Posted by: GagaDaily | June 07, 2010 at 11:34 AM
I'm already convinced that this album is beyond contrived. I'll go spend my money on V V Brown or Janelle Monae instead. Xtina should just stay home & make some more babies, since her heyday's gone.
Posted by: Jeannie In A Bottle | June 07, 2010 at 11:37 AM
One star? Really, you must be joking. I'm a music snob who has heard every song on Bionic. It has a couple of missteps, but overall it is Aguilera's most fulfilling effort to date. Most tracks, and there are generously many, easily exceed the quality of music dominating pop and rhythm radio today. With continued listening, it becomes clear that no other artist past or present could have made a record this diverse. Aguilera ismore clever and fun than she has ever been. Bionic is a breath of fresh air from a multigenre artist who never fails to entertain.
Posted by: G. Wade Hunter | June 07, 2010 at 11:39 AM
This is seriously really bad journalism. Music has been evolving more and more. And if you had been doing research on the project you would have appreciated it a bit more. She is obviously known for the use of her talented voice, but she was going for something very different that is obviously throwing many people off. But this album is very clever, playful, and does has some classics in it. I think 3 stars would have been a wiser choice. OPEN YOUR MIND UP A BIT.
Posted by: victor | June 07, 2010 at 12:09 PM
More rotten music made by commitee that has as much relevance as what i left in the toilet bowl this morning. Gotta luv the 21st Century!
Posted by: Dickspitz | June 07, 2010 at 12:34 PM
FYI: The song is "Desnudate", not Denudate.
Also, it sounds like you read the AP's reviews and copied exactly what they said. You picked a handful of songs out of 23 (deluxe edition) which were the same ones all the other reviews picked. You totally missed the mark in describing the album. It makes one think you didn't even give Bionic a listen. You clearly have qualms with her overall if you didn't like any of her other albums. You don't want her singing over-emoted power ballads where she uses her vocal chops, but the techno stuff folds her voice into the beat. It sounds like you wouldn't be happy no matter what Xtina did.
"Her 2002 album, “Stripped,” confused growing up with stripper-pole come-on’s..."
Since when is expressing and exploring sexuality not a part of growing-up?
"...but then over-sang so much that it’s clear she hadn’t learned a thing from those icons."
Etta James and Aretha Franklin (among so many other greats!) have praised Aguilera for her amazing voice.
I don't really understand your logic.
Posted by: Sophia | June 07, 2010 at 12:46 PM
One Star??? jajaja. I Think that you don't know anything about music!
Xtina is new in every single record!!
Posted by: Gastón | June 07, 2010 at 02:31 PM
The album is a total mess and 1 star is being kind. It's a shame because Cristina can sing...too bad about her horrible attitude and poor music selection.
Posted by: Cory | June 07, 2010 at 02:58 PM
Hater!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're stupid or what???!!!! Christina is one of the greatest artists out there, her music is really good, she is a very talented talented singer, her album maybe is not what u expect but she can do whatever she wants, I mean she is christina aguilera and you are a hater so if u don't like it then f@$%&#u!!!
Posted by: yolyguti | June 07, 2010 at 04:19 PM
i COMPLETELY! disagree with this article
i really like what ive heaard for bionic
and the UK gave xtina
4 out of 5 stars.
this is a great album.
its just a lady gaga fan who wrote this!
Posted by: dfafda | June 07, 2010 at 04:43 PM
Hey idiots (Christina Fans), "Bionic's" cover art and theme was a complete rip off of Bjork's "All Is Full of Love" where two bionic robots with white faces and of course shifting gears are tortured and f*****. Don't agree see for yourself.
Its no ones fault that Christina thinks everyone loves her. In her album she claims to "own the throne". Does she? Of course not. Music listeners are currently listening to Katy Perry, Ke$ha, Lady GaGa, La Roux, Alicia Keys, Nicki Minaj... ect. Each has a different style.
Katy Perry - Fruit, Summer, Candy fetish
Ke$ha - Animals, Late night teen partying, Flowerchild
Lady GaGa - Fame, Death, Monster, Electronica, Emo
Alicia Keys - Purple, Feathers, Natural
Nicki Minaj - Sex, Pink ect
It looks like Xtina is redoing alot of those and most people aren't enjoying the replay. Haven't we had enough of these styles from the Black Eyed Peas, LMFAO, La Roux, Lady gaga.
ANd btw don't act like shes the victim, shes like a non-violent hitler it seems from my perspective, greedily taking charge and not apologizing for cancelling a concert and copying Gaga in "Not Myself Tonight"
Posted by: Nike Folasage | June 07, 2010 at 05:57 PM
It's really sad how desperate for approval you Christina fans come off...this album is not good and the fact that you guys support christinas self indulgent half a**ed effort makes me embarrassed to be a Christina fan... This album will definitely not go platinum...she's already had to cancel both her tours because audiences do not like this poorly made album...
bionic is christinas biggest misstep ... You will all see what a failure it turns out to be.
Posted by: Albert mannn | June 07, 2010 at 06:13 PM
terrible album.....corny, immature, and sloppy.
Shallow music!
I turned it off after the first 3 tracks.
Posted by: ajay | June 07, 2010 at 07:42 PM
I highly doubt you know what you are writing about. This article sounds like a copy from other reviews. Quite surprised they let you write.
Posted by: Mark | June 07, 2010 at 08:25 PM
everyone is free to express their opinion so for me she's great.her style her album and how she express herself is very professional. i can see the difference between gaga and her. she's not trying hard for me because she had done all of that before anyone else. she's versatile. i love how she do everything. i found her as a real artist. she's very risky and i dont care if im the only person loving her.she's amazing for me.
im sick and tired of the gaga and xtina comparison.they are very different. just appreciate whats coming to music.
Posted by: alexis | June 07, 2010 at 10:02 PM
This was very disappointing. The album, I mean. The review was awesome.
Now, I'm a Britney-stan, but I give Christina her due when I'm being serious. Stripped was a solid album -- and we all know that the girl can sing her ass off if she wants to. But damn! This album sucks! For a year now, we've been hearing about how cutting-edge this album is -- you know, about the collaborations with female indie icons like MIA, Santigold, Le Tigre, Sia, and Peaches -- which, hey, are indeed unconventional for a pop star like Christina, for sure -- and here it comes, here it comes, and it's -- completely and utterly conventional! And worst of all, the new singles are just total recycles of everything that was big in...2007! Not Myself Tonight is outdated and bland (and it bombed on the charts) and WooHoo is a not-as-good version of Beyonce's "Get Me Bodied" featuring the totally conventional it-girl Nicki Minaj.
Put a fork in the Bionic era. Dead on arrival. What a waste.
Posted by: Alex K "lostpainting" | June 07, 2010 at 11:06 PM