Stripped

10/28/2002 4:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
Rob O'Connor

It's being noted that Christina Aguilera "grows up" on her new album. Considering the teen-pop of her debut album and her now advancing years (hovering dangerously around 20, yikes! Someone stop time!), it only makes sense. You were expecting a regression towards infancy? She's always had better "pipes" than her contemporaries and the chance to promote her as a diva allows for a potentially longer-lasting career than just focusing on that ultra-tight tummy.

Stripped is a misnomer. This is no bare-bones confessional, but rather an elaborately designed collection of songs that uses the talents of many notable industry vets, from Glen "Bring Me The Notebooks Of Alanis Morissette" Ballard to Alicia "Where's That Next Grammy?" Keys to Linda "Hey, I Used To Be In 4 Non-Blondes" Perry. Aguilera likes to sing notes, lots of them. "Can't Hold Us Down," featuring Lil' Kim, perfectly encapsulates the earnest and strident young talent. Overall, the album is a little more rock, a little more sophisticated and includes actual artistic input from the artist herself. A wonder in these modern times.