The "Justified and Stripped" tour will be coming to my hometown in 3 days...and I'm dreading it.  I mean, I actually enjoy listening to the musical stylings of Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera but I'm not looking forward to the drove of teeny boppers that will be invading my neighborhood.  I'm still having nightmares about what I had to endure last summer when Britney Spears came...will the screaming never end?! (I heard from an inside source that Britney Spears' Daddy doesn't tip limo drivers...you didn't hear it from me.)  But I digress. 

Currently, I am listening to the "Stripped" cd by Christina Aguilera.  Did y'all know that despite looking fake o'girl can actually sing? Miss Aguilera's new cd includes songs about "woman" power, gettin it on and the "my man ain't loving me" blues....and she certainly makes no excuses for any of it.

I've really only got one beef with it.  I don't like intros or interludes.  It's like they were starting to write a song, forgot what it was gonna be about and just threw it on the cd anyway.  Just gimme the music!

*I don't like interludes (as I have said) so I've just left them out! Ahh! Poetic license! Gotta love America for it!*

"Can't Hold Us Down"- It's a heads up to men all around the world...it's a Christina Aguilera take over! No it's really just a way she could get back at Fred Durst for making up all that stuff about her.  Or was that Eminem? Anyway, she has brought gender-based double standards into the open with this one.  I give it a thumbs up....while I get my dance on! Wait a minute...was that Lil Kim rappin?

"Walk Away" - It's Christina's being angsty...and bluesy at the same time? Something about being "smothered by despair" about some guy....K.  It's aight.  My mama likes it.

"Fighter"- Much like "Walk Away" only she's through with this man who's giving her grief! And she learned something by golly! When the song comes on the radio I tend to drive faster..wonder what that means.

"Infatuation" - Goodness.  It's got this maraca shakin latino beat goin.  I like it.  I still don't believe she's got enough latino in her to be considered latino.  I want proof!

"Loving Me 4 Me"- I promise that's how it's typed on the..program? Nah that's not it...well the book that has the lyrics on it.  Yeah.  It's this slow jam about her man loving her with no make-up on and minus her push-up.  Bra I guess.

"Impossible" - It's Christina and Alicia Keys (playing the piano) talking about some dude.  I just noticed that there really isn't much to this song.  She's tired of trying....and don't "play her for a clown"....Why?  I'm confused.

"Underappreciated"- More of the same to a funky beat.  But she explains more! Talking about o'boy used to care and they used to talk or something.  Basically she's feeling...guess!  Yep! Underappreciated.

"Beautiful"- I hate to break it to her but not everybody is beautiful.  Some people are ugly.  They know it and have become comfortable with that fact.  I mean, it's a nice thought and everything.  Nice but deluted.  I guess it's supposed to give people hope or something.

"Make Over"- Whoa.  She done pulled a Madonna and is trying to go techno.  The lyrics are kinda angry and dark.  It's like "Fighter".  Empowering?  I guess.

"Cruz"- From what I could tell...she was driving around in her car (cruz-ing maybe?) and she saw the prettiness of something and decided to write a song.  And also...She's leaving.  OH WAIT! But she's gonna miss it! What? My head hurts. 

"Soar"- An inspirational number that encourages one to be oneself.  It's even got a choir singing the background and everything! Well, I think so.  That's what it sounds like at least.  I like it! Soar!

"Get Mine Get Yours"- Ooh goodness.  She wants to "keep that undercover lovin' commin' underneath the sheets."  That's all I have to say about that.

"Dirrty"- That's my song! Oh what? She wants to make noise and get dirty! Yeah! Go for it I say! I like my booty shakin songs as much as the next girl...maybe even more so! You gotta love it! And it features Redman!

I'm too hyped up with "Dirrty" that I can't possibly bring myself down to talk about the last three songs- "The Voice Within", "I'm Ok" and "Keep on Singing my Song."  Ok I will since I feel obligated to do so.  They are basically all about the same thing.  Look inside yourself.  Be your own inspiration.  "I'm Ok" freaked me out because it's about her abusive daddy and it has a child screaming and crying in the background sometimes.  I don't like that.

Well, it seems I like it less than when I wasn't being critical of it.  Overall it's a quality cd.  If you're into booty shakin, guy bashin and gettin yours...which fortunately I am!  

-Rindy