i love xtina and her voice, that´s how i discovered her(just 3-4 months ago LOL), but i agree, that she tries to hard sometimes, too many strained screams and some unnecessary runs, it´s like "we know you can sing"...she´s not the most technical skilled singer (no school whatsoever, unlike whitney and mariah, just raw talent) but she has an enormous power and soul when she sings, it´s like her life depended on every note sometimes...and that is what makes so memorable and unique as a singer, she AFFECTS me and a couple of million people more!
And when she tone it down, or when her voice is in perfect shape....nobody beats her
btw, this thread is quite obviousbly done to diss xtina, but who cares.....last i heard, fergie "sang" like a strained cat (when she tries to sing that is)