In concert, Christina Aguilera’s greatest gift — that massive "And I am telling you I’m not holding back one bit" voice — can also be her biggest liability. Indeed, as much as Xtina’s patented brand of bombast worked wonderfully on noisy howlers like "Makes Me Wanna Pray," "Lady Marmalade," and "Fighter" during her concert last night at Continental Airlines Arena in New Jersey, it also managed to clog up renditions of "Back in the Day," "Come on Over," and "What a Girl Wants." The problem was especially evident on the latter two numbers; with the songs’ arrangements completely overhauled, it became all the more crucial for Aguilera to stick with some semblance of melody on the verses and chorus. Instead, she let her backup singers carry the tune, choosing instead to riff and yelp intermittently, often striking her favored bent-at-waist, hand-in-air, wailing pose. In the case of "Come on Over," I honestly couldn’t figure out what the heck I was hearing till the song was half over.
To her credit, though, even after months of touring, there’s no doubt The Voice still has the ability to thrill. Not only that, after enduring the tinny track that blasted support throughout the Pussycat Dolls’ scantily clad opening set, I’ve got to applaud any chart-topping pop diva who seemingly spends as much on a brass section and expansive live band as on gimmicky sets and props. The nifty graphics and video montages that served as Xtina’s backdrop were consistently effective, with the exception of woefully unsubtle and thoroughly distracting shots of a battered woman during "Oh Mother." Hopefully, as she continues to mature artistically, Xtina will realize the real drama comes when she ditches all her accouterments and tics, and just flat-out sings a gorgeous ballad like "Beautiful" or "Hurt" or "Welcome" (my favorite track off Back to Basics). Well, that, and also performing "Dirrty" astride a carousel pony.
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I am going to see the Tina on Wednesday and I can’t help but say- I am pumped. Though I will agree she tends to over riff at times, I love that ol’ girl.
I can honestly say that I miss the “dirrty” x-tina. I mean dont get me wrong, she looks gorgeous now and very mature. But I truly enjoyed her Stripped album and all that came with it. The new Back to Basics seems forced to me. I enjoy a few of the songs, but she did a total 180 from the last cd. I get the whole “I am maturing musicaly”, I still go for Stripped over B2B any day…
She can go. I’m so tired of overly sung, faux-passionate, third rate pop/hip hop hybrids. Is Mariah Carey or Whitney to blame for all this misery?
No one has ever oversang more in the history of music like Xtina. She’s made her technically great voice sound like drowning cats to me now. Back to Basics is about as enjoyable as a colonoscopy.
i love xtina even if she does over sing some times she still has the best voice in pop.
She over sings sometimes, but on the cd it is usually only during 1 run, if at all. “Save Me From Myself” she uses her voice in such a different way. I think people exaggerate the oversinging.
I would rather someone over sing occasionally, than mouth the words to someone elses voice, like the other tarts do. That looks so rediculious to me.
I meant 1 run per song…
Xtina is so vocally gifted. I wish half the pop stars out there had the voice and energy she has. And she doesn’t act like an idiot either (unlike Brit, etc), which is nice to see.
Saw her at Madison Square Garden. Probably one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to. She could sing the phone book in my opinion.
Uh…The Voice is not Xtina….
The Voice is… Mariah! Xtina just shouts and shouts. At least when Mimi belts out it still is in tune and has a melody and not just full on shout noise.
Why is it that every top-selling pop artist has to have the obligatory “Disturbing Images About a Cause You Should All Care About” video montage? We didn’t shell out $80 to see pictures of starving African orphans. We paid to see our favorite singer in assless chaps and a thong. That’s the American way!
I don’t think Christina’s oversinging is a problem. It’s credibility that matters. …..and Nik I agree with you, Back to Basics is the kind of album that you’re supposed to like just because you’re a fan of the artist. At any rate, Christina is still the best.
I went with a friend because she had the extra ticket (bad breakup) and so she invited a non Xtina fan… today i got back to basics and her other cd’s, i bought them, i did not download them… or borrow them, because this woman is an artists and she gets my money… I was blown away by that concert… it was by far, one of the most explosive most amazing things i’ve ever seen, that girl is touched by God… I swear.
as much as i enjoy slezak i feel as if hes disissive… case in point… he loves ferie… case closed i win
I would be so cool to see Christina in concert.
Ooops. Sorry for the typo. I was wanting to write It instead of I.
Since when is Christina “The Voice?” Her voice is fantastic, but it doesn’t have the influence and the recognizability to earn that title.
I wish that I could go to one of her conerts! I really, really, REALLY want to see her “Back to Basics” tour, does anyone know where I could get some more information? I would greatly appreciate it! Her voice is FANATICAL and she’s pretty and put-together as well. I think she is a wonderful role model with an excellent voice. As well as being on top of her life, unlike some other cleb’s (i.e.: Britney Spears, Paris Hilton) she also knows what she’s doing with it! Go to my site at http://www.Christinaaguilerabychristine.com You can join chats! I can really get her to speak with you if you’d like. Good Luck Christina! I am hoping to go to one of your concerts very, very, VERY, VERY, soon! Until then, keep up the WONDERFUL singing, songs, character and LIFE! You are a role model to all and are a GREAT influence to future generations as well as myself. I live up to what you do and who you are. You are a beautiful person. Please don’t change. Much love, forever and always, I hope to see you! Chris
I wish that I could go to one of her conerts! I really, really, REALLY want to see her “Back to Basics” tour, does anyone know where I could get some more information? I would greatly appreciate it! Her voice is FANATICAL and she’s pretty and put-together as well. I think she is a wonderful role model with an excellent voice. As well as being on top of her life, unlike some other cleb’s (i.e.: Britney Spears, Paris Hilton) she also knows what she’s doing with it! Go to my site at http://www.Christinaaguilerabychristine.com You can join chats! I can really get her to speak with you if you’d like. Good Luck Christina! I am hoping to go to one of your concerts very, very, VERY, VERY, soon! Until then, keep up the WONDERFUL singing, songs, character and LIFE! You are a role model to all and are a GREAT influence to future generations as well as myself. I live up to what you do and who you are. You are a beautiful person. Please don’t change. Much love, forever and always, I hope to see you! Chris
I wish that I could go to one of her conerts! I really, really, REALLY want to see her “Back to Basics” tour, does anyone know where I could get some more information? I would greatly appreciate it! Her voice is FANATICAL and she’s pretty and put-together as well. I think she is a wonderful role model with an excellent voice. As well as being on top of her life, unlike some other cleb’s (i.e.: Britney Spears, Paris Hilton) she also knows what she’s doing with it! Go to my site at http://www.Christinaaguilerabychristine.com You can join chats! I can really get her to speak with you if you’d like. Good Luck Christina! I am hoping to go to one of your concerts very, very, VERY, VERY, soon! Until then, keep up the WONDERFUL singing, songs, character and LIFE! You are a role model to all and are a GREAT influence to future generations as well as myself. I live up to what you do and who you are. You are a beautiful person. Please don’t change. Much love, forever and always, I hope to see you! Chris
Aguilera is “The Voice” this generation and many to come she has the talent to back it up she is amazing. I went to her conser and I had the best time she was AMAZING like olways and I cant wait to see her agan. SHE IS THE VOICE.