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List Price: $9.99 | | Label: RCA
Salesrank: 3009
Released: October 29, 2002 |
| Our Price: $3.21 |
| Used Price: $0.99 |
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| Media: Audio CD |
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Stripped Track Listing:
1. Stripped Pt. 1
2. Can't Hold Us Down (feat. Lil' Kim)
3. Walk Away
4. Fighter
5. Infatuation (interlude)
6. Infatuation
7. Loving Me For Me (interlude)
8. Loving Me For Me
9. Impossible
10. Underappreciated
11. Beautiful
12. Make Over
13. Cruz
14. Soar
15. Get Mine, Get Yours
16. Dirrty
17. Stripped Pt. 2
18. A Voice Within
19. I'm OK
20. Singing My Song
Editorial Review:
Features guest appearances by Eve, Redman, and Dave Navarro. Track production by Rockwilder, Glen Ballard, Alicia Keys, Scott Storch, Steve Morales, Rob & Heather and Linda Perry.
Description of Stripped:
Underneath all Christine Aguilera's coy affectations and vocal gymnastics lurks a rare talent. With her second album, Aguilera allows it to flower by abandoning all pretense at courting the teenage market. Stripped is a seemingly effortless move into weightier adult territory. Using her extraordinary voice as a much subtler instrument, Aguilera sings movingly and with grit and anger about the disintegration of a relationship; she's ultimately stronger for the pain. But that's not her whole agenda. Aguilera also extols the power of women on "Can't Hold Us Down," which features Lil' Kim. Other guests include Dave Navarro, Redman, and Alicia Keys. Aguilera cowrote most of the songs on the disc and produced one cut. She also partnered with former 4 Non Blondes leader and Pink collaborator Linda Perry on four songs, which gives Aguilera a rock edge that she has never before displayed. --Jaan Uhelszki
Stripped Reviews:
Stripped down and baring her soul, this pop-princess proves she is so much more... 
2009-10-19 - I don't think many people were ready for `Stripped' when it was released. When you think about where Christina Aguilera came from I can understand why, but even on her teeny-bop pop-princess debut she showed a rare talent for the genre, proving that she had a vocal range unknown to the rest of her pop-mates. Listen to `Blessed' and you'll understand what I'm referring to. So, on `Stripped' she takes that promise and blows it out of the water.
Sadly, there is too much filler here to justify the 5-star rating I wanted to give it.
When Christina hits, she hits marvelously. I'm a little irritated that she felt the need to stuff her sophomore album with 20 tracks. There was no need, for if it had only been shortened by maybe 5 then she would have had a near-perfect album that could go down as one of the best pop albums of all time. In fact, tracks like `Walk Away', `Fighter' and `Beautiful' are some of the best pop songs off all time. But, with all the good there is ample mediocre here.
A little trimming would have really done this album some good.
I'm going to get the interlude tracks out of the way first, since they don't really count. The `Stripped Parts 1 & 2' are decent, although I would have CLOSED the album with `Part 2' and not stuck it in at track number 17. I particularly like the flow of `Part 2'. The interlude for `Infatuation' is leagues better than the actual song, and the interlude for `Loving Me 4 Me' doesn't just sound like it belongs on a Mariah Carey album, it sounds like Mariah Carey sung it.
Speaking of Mariah Carey, best track on the album is BY FAR `Walk Away', which is Christina's `Mariah Moment', where she embodies everything that made `My All' Mariah's greatest moment ever. It is flawless, beautiful, intoxicating, elegant; and that bridge with the escalating "oh" is just all types of mind-blowing awesomeness.
But I really wanted to get the bad out of the way first, so I'm going to start with `Infatuation'. The song is not `bad' in the true sense of the word; it is just merely `ok'. It has nothing special to it. The flow is there, but it is generic pop/dance music with some cool accent work by Aguilera, but she is much more effectively seductive on the interlude. `Cruz' and `Soar' are worse songs in there simplistic (meaning BORING) delivery. There is just nothing to care about with these tracks.
Songs like `Impossible' and `Underappreciated' are not stellar, but they are at least entertaining, even if I won't remember them enough to select them to listen to. Sure, I'll listen when they come on (I refuse to listen to `Cruz' or `Soar') but I won't seek them out. `Can't Hold Us Down' was one of the first singles off the album, and it is an instant hit. It has not aged as well for me, and it has its flaws (it is very cookie-cutter sounding despite the vulgarities) but it is still a good song and a fun one to listen to. Besides, it has Lil' Kim, and I love her. `Make Over' is a really nice change of pace, and despite the fact that she sounds forced in parts, it is a nice stretch for Christina. I like the rock edge she plays with here, although she fares much better on `Fighter'.
And then we have the AMAZING, or as I like to call it, the rest of the album.
At the bottom of the `perfect' list is `Singing My Song', a great track that is overly long and feels it towards the end; but for what it's worth, she sings it impeccably. Next is `Dirrty'. I love this track in all its tacky worthlessness and completely stand by my calling it perfection, because it is SO MUCH FUN. `Get Mine, Get Yours' is also a lot of fun, much more sensually stimulating than `Infatuation' and just all around noteworthy, even if it is pure pop. `Loving Me 4 Me' is simple, beautiful and moving, and `The Voice Within' is a powerhouse if I ever heard one. Talk about spine-tingling vocals. `Beautiful' and `I'm OK' are the two most emotionally absorbed tracks on the album, and `Beautiful' just slightly edges out the other because of its universal impact. Both are beautiful and frightfully sincere, especially `I'm OK', which could be labeled `recorded misery'. `Fighter' was one of those songs that I just didn't like when it was released. Since I've decided to revisit the album though, I've discovered that it is utterly delicious and one of the best pop tracks I've ever heard.
That said, nothing can even come close to the marvelous `Walk Away'.
So there you have it. This is a pretty solid sophomore album that I would have limited to 12 tracks it if were up to me (and those interludes, because they jazz up the album a bit). For those of you with A.D.D. (embrace it, I have), I decided to go ahead and list the tracks in order from favorites to not-so-favorites (including the interludes); for quick reference.
1) Walk Away
2) Fighter
3) Beautiful
4) I'm OK
5) The Voice Within
6) Primer Amor (Infatuation Interlude)
7) Loving Me 4 Me
8) Stripped Part 2 (Interlude)
9) Get Mine, Get Yours
10) Dirrty
11) Stripped Intro (Interlude)
12) Singing My Song
13) Make Over
14) Can't Hold Us Down
15) Loves Embrace (Loving Me 4 Me Interlude)
16) Underappreciated
17) Impossible
18) Infatuation
19) Soar
20) Cruz
Her best CD so far 
2009-10-01 - I usually like Mariah Carey more but I love this album. It shows how much she has improved as an artist. And her songs have great meanings to them. I would recommend it to anyone.
I truely love it!
2009-08-29 - I really love this album. It's a personal look at her childhood, relationships with the opposite sex, people taking advantage of her in many ways, etc. This album surpasses her debut cd lyrically, musically, vocally and artistically. This is her greatest album in my opinion. A lot of people misinterpreted what she meant by the album being called stripped. It was to be more personal about things she actually experienced. She didn't want to pick other people's songs and sing them. She was more hands on with putting this record together the way she wanted it, not the record label.
Some gloss, alot of pretense, but still a great album
2009-08-03 - In the fall of 2002, the Christina Aguilera the music world thought they knew was gone forever. The sweet and bubbly blonde teen transformed into a sexually charged, aggressive 21 year old. Her views on sex became more liberal, she began calling herself Xtina, and she even picked up a faux "ghetto" (for lack of a better word) accent. Not to mention, she seemed to lose her clothing too and made due with strategically placed pieces of cloth. Her new attire made Mariah Carey's outfits look suitable for church. Let's get one thing straight though, Christina was never what you'd call "innocent". From jump, she sang about being a genie in a bottle who needed to be rubbed the right way. She praised her man for knowing what a girl wants. Hell, she even invited her man to come on over and put his hands on her. While she was light years away from the raunchiness of Dirrty, she never portrayed herself as naive or virginal. Her fellow pop stars were the innocents singing about "soda pop" and candy. Stripped is where Xtina shed her former image and bared her body and soul. The album cover makes that point crystal clear.
Stripped Intro - The intro starts out pretty well by playing snippets of the controversy surrounding Christina and others in the music business. It should have ended after the "Come a little closer/this is the real me" part, but then Christina sings about "breaking the mold". Before this album, she WAS the mold. I could do without the self importance.
Can't Hold Us Down - The music on this track is really good with a bouncy hip hop beat and a cameo by Lil' Kim (of all people). It's basically about the double standards when it comes to men being praised for scoring, but girls being criticized for doing the same. I also like her jabs at Eminem. "You're just a little boy, think you're so cute so coy, ya must talk so big to make up for smaller things". Love it!
Walk Away - Now THIS song should have been a single. Christina sings about being in a relationship with a man who is no good and does her wrong, but she just can't let go of him. Her delivery is strong and believable and using her lower register is brilliant. The music is haunting and a complete contrast to all of her early work. Excellent song!
Fighter - Now it's time for Xtina to get her rock on. Or is it rock out? Hmm. Anyway, she thanks the people who've backstabbed her in the past because those betrayals made her a stronger person. The great thing about it is Christina is able to get her personal feelings out, but still makes the song relatable so that anybody can identify. We've all been there. Right, people?
Infatuation - After an interlude spoken in Spanish (I have no clue what she was saying in it), 4:17 of some of the best music I've ever heard begins. Without sounding cheesy or gimmicky, Christina sings about falling for a Latin lover that her mother warns will only break her heart in the end. She doesn't care and instead follows her desire. The music is lively and dance worthy. I heard this was supposed to be the first single instead of Dirrty. It would have been a much better choice imo.
Loves Embrace Interlude - It starts off really sweet and mellow with Christina making Mariah Carey inspired adlibs. This intro should have been included with the next track.
Loving Me 4 Me - The BEST track on the whole album. It's a sweet and heartfelt ode to the man in her life who loves everything that makes her who she is. The music is dreamy and lush. Like a cross between Mariah's Butterfly days and Jill Scott's He Loves Me. This is the type of song where Christina shines. Her vocals are more light, airy, and restrained. Top notch.
Impossible - You can tell Alicia Keys had a hand in writing this song. It sounds like it would fit perfectly on any of her albums, but Christina manages to make it her own. She really lets loose and rips about a man who she loves, but who, for whatever reason, can't express the same feelings for her. Bluesy with a touch of Aretha. Definitely single worthy.
Underappreciated - I do like this song. Really, but it doesn't fit too well on this album. With a smooth, lite funk background, Christina sings about a relationship that started out hot and heavy, but is now stuck in a rut. Apparently, her man is more content sitting in front of the tv. I think this track would be more suitable for an older woman and not a 21 year old with not alot of life experience. Of course relationships can become stale at any age, but Christina sounds more like a bored housewife than a young woman looking for excitement. JMO, people.
Beautiful - Now who doesn't know this song? It's a perfect anthem for anybody who has struggled with self doubt and low sef esteem. No matter what is going on or what people say "you are beautiful in every single way". I read that Linda Perry made Christina lighten up off the vocal dramatics and Mariah like finger waves and I'm glad she did. Her vocals here are more raw and filled with "beautiful mistakes". No wonder it went straight to number one on the charts.
Make Over - Alot of people have told me they either hate this song or they think it's ok. I happen to love it. It does have a Moroccan/Austin Powers vibe to it that isn't for everybody, but it works fine for me. Christina's vocals are raspier and more rough as she yells about not wanting to be herself and refusing to be made over by anybody else. An obvious reference to her Genie past.
Cruz - This song could be described as lite country. The mood is more mellow and laidback as Christina sings about just taking a ride and leaving all the things that stress her out behind. She might go back someday, but for now she's on the move. This would make a really good graduation song.
Soar - Backed by a gospel choir, Miss Aguilera takes us to church. She's definitely channeling Whitney Houston and Mariah (she does a whistle at the end) here. It's a song about accepting yourself and sticking to your guns no matter what other people say about you. "Don't be scared to fly alone, find a path that is your own.... What are you waiting for? Spread your wings and soar!" The lyrics are a little cliched, but they still ring true.
Get Mine, Get Yours - This slinky and seductive song about friends with benefits almost sounds classy. Sounding like some good stuff from the 80s, Xtina lets a man know she wants a no strings attached physical relationship. "I want your body, not your heart." You don't even feel dirty after listening! Well, then you do when the next song starts.
Dirrty - We all remember this one. It was chosen as the first single and was our introduction to Xtina (Miss Aguilera if you're nasty). The song itself isn't too shabby. It's rough, raw, and grimy, but in a fun way. However, it was a horrible choice for a first single. There's nothing else on this album that sounds like it and it turned alot of people off from wanting to give Stripped a listen. Dirrty + Xtina + Stripped equaled a gratuitous sex album that would make Damaita Jo sound like nursery rhymes for pre-schoolers to some people. Of course that wasn't the truth, but Christina almost shot herself in the foot with this one. Infatuation would have been a better first single.
Stripped Intro Part 2 - This intro would have fit better at the beginning of the album. There's less "I'm so real" and more "I know what I want". Less ego.
The Voice Within - The last single off the album, this is a pretty good ballad. It does seem to retread Whitney and Mariah's earlier "love will find a way" cliched power ballads, but it isn't bad. It's a nice tie-in with the next song.
I'm Ok - Starting off with a young girl crying "Daddy, please", the haunting, depressing mood is set. Christina opens up about the domestic violence her father inflicted on her mother. The lyrics are tear jerking and her delivery more restrained. The music is bare and sparse. "Daddy, don't you understand the damage you have done? To you it's just a memory, but for me it still lives on." She recorded this sing in just one take while lying on the studio's floor. I dare anybody not to be moved after hearing it.
Keep On Singin' My Song - A perfect way to end the album. Floating on a relatable vibe of "I'm goona keep being me and love myself" without the cliches, Christina lays it down like no other! She's later joined by a choir of young people and ends things on a high note.
While Christina's image was too much of a put on and she took herself too seriously at times, this is still an excellent album. The songs are down to earth and very VERY relatable. She does tend to genre hop (rock, straight soul, indie rock, gospel, funk), but that's what makes it work so well. It has stuff for everybody. I do wish she'd have restrained herself a little more on certain songs. Lettin' it rip on Soar and Impossible was appropriate, but on songs like The Voice Within, she should have stayed softer rather than diving right in before the first chorus is even through. A small gripe though since she was just a 21 year old girl who was completely taking the reins of her sound. She should be proud.
The Best of Christina (Pre-Greatest Hits)
2009-04-26 - After three studio albums & a greatest hits compilation, Stripped for me is still the best album Christina Aguilera had recorded.
Breaking away from the bubblegum pop sound she had on her debut, Stripped contains flavors of r'n'b, soul, rock, and blues. Her vocal prowess is strongest here. The vocal acrobatics that plagued her following album, Back To Basics, was only in small amounts here.
Stripped's winning factor however, is the emotional connection this can create to the listeners. I find myself uplifted after listening to the entire album. Different emotions could be felt in different songs as well.
Overall, Christina has to top this album yet.
