Quick Album Reviews: Stripped
1. Stripped Intro - 8: I really liked this, actually. Too bad it wasn't a full song. It had a really futuristic sound and it was really effective in setting the mood for the album, in my opinion.
2. Can't Hold Us Down - 7.5: "The tables 'bout to turn, I bet my fame on it"
That's so tragic. I mean, the implication is powerful, it's just sad how that wager ended up going for her. Anyway, this is cute, like I'd be bopping if this came on the radio, but I don't think I'd go out of my way to listen to this song.
3. Walk Away - 8: I don't know how many people know this, but I am actually a sucker for string instruments and pianos in pop songs. Obviously that's not something you would easily guess based on what I usually listen to, but anyway, this feels like the blue print of "Hurt", sonically anyway. Hurt was my favorite Xtina song (before "Get Mine, Get Yours" anyway), so that's a good thing. "Hurt" perfected the sound, but this is still really good.
4. Fighter - 7: The flawless transition from Walk Away to Fighter.
Anyway, I would say this is my least favorite Stripped single, but only because of the guitars at the end. I'm basically allergic to guitars. It isn't bad by any means, though.
6. Infatuation - 7.5: When I said I was allergic guitars, I meant either generic pop guitars or heavy rock guitars, I love Spanish sounding guitars. (And whatever guitars are used in Style but shh don't tell anyone.) I would love for X to release a full song with Spanish guitars in it, as long as she didn't insist on screaming over it. She has a great calm singing voice idk why she insists on hiding that.
8. Loving Me For Me - 6.5: It's calming and pretty, but I don't really feel like it's a standout. It fits on the album definitely, just not a favorite.
9. Impossible - 6.5: I feel similarly about this and Loving Me For Me. She did have some shining vocal moments on this, though.
10. Under-appreciated - 6: Probably my least favorite of the sogs so far. It's not bad, just feels like filler. It's pretty forgettable, in all honesty. Wouldn't be surprised if X forgot it.
11. Beautiful - 10: I would be a bad gay if I didn't give this a 10. Besides that fact, it actually is a really beautiful-sounding song., and without a doubt a timeless classic. It may not have hit #1, but it will forever be more well known than most #1s. Only Legend X.
12. Make Over - 4: Lord I take back what I said about Under-appreciated. This is actually kind of gross.
The melody is sickening and the screaming is too damn much. She also sounds like Nelly Furtado for some reason in this song.
13. Cruz - 5.5: The random drum roll in the song threw me off. It felt out of place.
Anyway, this just felt like another filler. The album started strong, but it started feeling really fillery around here.
14. Soar - 7: This was a bit better, but I still wasn't blown away by it. Dddd wait I think I heard a whistle note. Was it one?
Well anyway, it doesn't change my score, just didn't know X would use one in a studio song.
15. Dirrty - 10: Yes the album picking back up! My favorite Stripped era single. This is what started an Xtina stanning era I had a few years ago (I think I talked about that sotry), and this still goes all the way off! This did not deserve to flop because this song is iconic.
16. Get Jesus, Get God - 10: Obviously I stan for this song, and it was the reason I chose stripped in the first place. Like legitimately before I die, I want to write a song about casual sex as beautiful as this before I die. It's #lifegoals.
18. The Voice Within - 8: This would make a good album title, to be honest. Anyway, I feel like this song was building up to the beginning of the end. It was nice.
19. I'm Ok - 9: I love the guitars in this song, but more than that, it feels like an infinitely better version of the song I sent in last week. If only I would've done a song like this.
Anyway, this is my favorite of the album tracks I hadn't heard before. (Although I think I heard it once.)
20. Keep On Singin' My Song - 8.5 This was a good closer to the album, although it wasn't my favorite song on the album. It fulfills what I think the criteria of a good closing song should be, especially given the theme of the album.
Overall album rating: 75/100
Make Over killed the average
Well that and the filler towards the middle.
With 5 judges, I'm sure at least 4 will know the era well enough. I mean, does anyone know Hounds of Love as well as I do? I'm sure each judge has a couple gaps.
but was planning on busting out if need be.
but good song anyway.
