Serendipity Media

For all the tabloid-worthy "the genie's a slut" jabber that lead single "Dirrty" inspired, Stripped actually turns out to be a by-the-book excursion in Top 40's definition of female self-empowerment and self-worth anthems. Featuring guest spots from Redman, Lil' Kim, Alicia Keys, Dave Navarro and ?uestlove with production by Scott Storch, Linda Perry, Glen Ballard, Rockwilder, Steve Morales, Rob Hoffman and Heather Holley, Aguilera's follow-up to her self-titled debut (sans Spanish and Christmas projects) manages to be thoroughly enjoyable despite being an unfocused, genre- and producer-hopping collection that can't live up to her self-proclaimed affinity for risk-taking. Though recent photo shoots and wardrobe choices may lead you to think otherwise, Stripped's scattershot subject matter only once delves into the overtly sexual and instead focuses much of its attention on the inspirational and the self-promoting. Owing much to Mariah Carey in terms of influence, ballads like the singles "Beautiful" and "The Voice Within" offer words of encouragement to Aguilera's audience while the rock-influenced "Make Over" and the gospel-infused "Soar" speak of preserving one's individuality. At twenty songs and nearly seventy-eight minutes in length, Stripped would benefit greatly from a tracklist trimming, as unnecessary interludes and mediocre numbers dilute the overall effect that the album's better moments offer. The rich blues-influenced "Walk Away" and the sepia-toned "Cruz" indicate Aguilera is capable of far more than this musically uneven and conceptually predictable affair would have you believe.