CHRISTINA AGUILERA NEWS

Teen review: Aguilera showcases her talent on 'Back to Basics'

If there's one artist who seems destined to change her musical style more times than a girl changes her mind about an outfit, it's Christina Aguilera.

The former Mouseketeer already had gone from pop princess to sex symbol. With her third album, the two-disc "Back to Basics," she pays tribute to jazz, soul and blues legends.

There is some minor frustration with "Back to Basics." Aguilera quite possibly has the best voice of our generation. Yet on songs like the title track, it seems as though everyone in the studio is oblivious to her vocal talent.

More often that not, Aguilera is allowed to shine. "Ain't No Other Man" is in danger of being overplayed on the radio, but it's the showstopper of the first disc. "Oh Mother," a deeply personal song, is also something special.

The second disc is where things really pick up, though. Despite featuring only nine tracks, they're all close to perfection. The old-fashioned "Candyman" and "I Got Trouble" show off Aguilera's talent, while the two best tracks are "Hurt" and "Mercy On Me." On both, she belts out huge notes like it was the easiest thing in the world to do.

Despite a few misses, "Back to Basics" is a must listen for all music lovers. Whether you love or hate her fashion sense, Christina Aguilera's talent can never be questioned.

— Lukas Eggen, 16, Press-Gazette correspondent

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