I hate to admit it, but this album is excellent. I am not a fan of this artist, but I heard the album because my niece has it. I was shocked at the vocal talent and quality of the songs used. I can't believe this is the Genie in A Bottle Girl! In comparison, the last Britney Spears album isn't half as good as this one. There are several beautiful ballads that I dare anyone with an open mind to listen to...Beautiful is just that Beautiful. Soar is also an excellent song. Give this one a listen and you will not be disappointed.

It took me awhile to buy this CD, only because of the cover--but I'm so glad i did!! The more I listen to it the more I LOVE it. Her voice is incredible, and unlike a lot of artists out there now she shows real emotion in her voice- another thing which makes her music so amazing. This is one of the few albums I can listen to from start to finish, over and over, and not get sick of. Even the interludes are beautiful, and really add to the charectar of the album, making more than just a collection of songs. I'm not a huge fan of her new "image" but I appreciate that she is being herself-- her music is mature, and better showcases her talent. A few comments on the songs:

1) Stripped Intro- basically this interlude begins with people talking about Christina, and then she sings about what the album is to her- just a chance to show herself to the world. (9/10)

Overall this album is incredible, every song is different, but all incredibly written and sung. I can honestly say no song on this album is filler, there are 17 amazing songs, even the interludes add to this CD. I'm glad Christina took the time to produce a great album. It was worth the wait!

Christina Aguilera has fooled us all. She wore a top that resembled a napkin to the MTV Video Music Awards. And then she recorded a video full of other scantily clad women and risqué dancing. And to top it all off she posed nude on the cover of Rolling Stone.

But when Christina declared that her new album Stripped was a reflection of her true self, she didn't mean that she is a promiscuous sex kitten and wants the whole world to know. She meant, as one of her interludes exclaims, that she's not perfect but doesn't care; she's not a diva but she knows what she wants; and finally she's not a virgin, but nor is she a slut.

This is why I maintain that despite the hormonal hype Aguilera's album Stripped is not as dirty as we thought. In fact, it is, in my opinion, a great example of musical artistry and breaks the mold created by today's boy bands and pop princesses.

Now there is one song, "Get Mine Get Yours," that would probably upset your local Christian group because Aguilera sings about having one-night stand with someone she meets at a club. But songs like this are the exception not the rule.

The album as a whole is a melodic blend of hip-hop, soul and rock with heartfelt lyrics mostly written by Christina herself. The album is stripped, but not of class and taste. It's stripped of all of the tiptoe-through-the tulips, lollipop sounds and lyrics that continue to flood radio stations across the country. And, contrary to popular belief, it's not a soundtrack to a porn flick, like many of today's songs tend to be.

Christina tells of the bliss and blues of love with songs like "Loving Me 4 Me" and "Walk Away." On the track "Impossible," a song that bears resemblance to Aretha Franklin's "Ain't No Way," Aguilera teamed up with the talented Alicia Keys to compose a feel-it-down-your-soul tune about trying to love an emotionally unavailable man.

The song "Beautiful," though slow and solemn, can lift spirits with self-esteem-boosting lyrics like: "You are beautiful no matter what they say... "We're the song inside the tune, full of beautiful mistakes/And everywhere we go, the sun will always shine..."

One of the things that sets this album apart from most is Aguilera's vocal strength which comes through from track to track. But the reason Stripped should be a part of every young woman's CD collection is because of songs like "The Voice Within," "I'm OK" and "Keep Singin' My Song." These songs could be packaged in a first aid kit for surviving everything from crushed dreams to broken homes.

And the song "Can't Hold Us Down," which features bad girl rapper Lil' Kim, speaks to the double standards women must face when it comes to sexuality and the belief that women should be seen and not heard. All together these tunes can strip away a girl's shyness and insecurity and make her want to "take a deep breath and say it loud... can't hold us down!"

I feel I should start by saying that I am NOT a Christina fan, nor am I too keen on the pop music scene. This review is written from the point of view of a music lover who loves all kinds of TRUE music. As i listened to this album, I realized something that with pop star albums you don't tend to see...artistic vision. Ms. Aguilera may receive flack as being a naked teen queen, but she does truly shine with this album. you get the sense that every song is actually not just a song, but a direct ventilation of a feeling. Not many pop stars can pull off a vision as this, and Ms. Aguilera apparently has learned well, to be compared to that of Janet Jackson's "Janet (1993)" album, that was a declaration of femininity and growth. It is not a ground breaking album, but rather an expression of what is inside this particular 21 year old woman's mind..not the vision of a producer/manager/record label or anyone else that tends to fabricate pop star albums. the vibe of this album seems melancholic but fierce..and it is rather difficult to point out certain tracks or also to point out songs that are disposable..every song is a thought, not a track. My personal favorite is a rather cheesy predictable pop confection called "Infatuation", i simply find it interesting that the words "i am full blood boricua!" are coming out of this girl, but I am aware that the song is NOT talking about her, but rather are the words of her supposed man in that song. Another song that particularly amazed me was a song called "Walk Away". if there was any doubt Ms. A. was a talented singer, this track shall definitely quell those sensations. She showcased such emotion, not ever seen before on a Christina track.

So in the end, all I can say is that this album is definitely worth picking up, If you can appreciate a woman's point of view and also particular and unapologetic vocalizations. She offers no apologies nor should she. Do what you will, Christina. My props to you.

Can't Hold Us Down - A song with a good beat. 7/10

Walk Away - Shows the kind of voice Christina really has. Good song. 10/10

Fighter - I like this song. It has a powerful message. 10/10

Infatuation - Also a very good song. It flows together well. 8/10

Loving me 4 me - an okay song, not a particularly great one. 6/10

Impossible - a great duet with alicia keys at the piano. shows Christina's jazzy style a bit. very nice! 10/10

Underappreciated - i found i had to turn it to the next song after hearing most of it. didn't care much for it. 5/10

Beautiful - like the title, an absolutely beautiful, gorgeous song. a very high self-esteem booster. 10/10

Make Over - I like this song. it has a very distinct and unique style. 9/10

Cruz - Pretty song. Reminds me of traveling in your car for a couple hours, just sitting back and relaxing. Very nice. 9/10

Soar - Good song. 8/10

Get Mine, Get Yours - This song has a good beat, and it's not bad to listen to. Catchy. 9/10

Dirrty - Not as good as the one above, but good to dance to. 7/10

The Voice Within - Pretty song. 10/10

I'm Okay - now this is the song that made me cry. not because i can relate to it, because my family life has been pretty stable throughout my life. but one of my best friends lives a life like this, and just thinking about it makes me go up in tears. my favorite song on the album besides beautiful. 10/10

Keep on Singin' My Song - an okay song. 7/10

All in all, this is a VERY good cd. i highly recommend that you buy it. you won't regret your purchase. it's very different from her previous albums, and with many singers, change is good.