Review: Christina Milian - Self-titled debut album
Christina Milian’s self-titled debut album was a PINNACLE of early 2000’s Pop. Christina adopted the sound of the new millennium and worked to cover lots of sonic ground in the process. It seems like a distant journey from then to the Christina that we know today. Regardless, I think if you listen to this album, you will see glimpses of a woman and artist who has always shown you just who she is from day one. Let’s jump into the RNB Nerd review of Christina Milian’s self-titled debut album!
Get Away - Although the album was only released in Europe and Japan, it is evident by songs like “Get Away” that the intention was probably to garner mass appeal with Christina’s debut. This along with the other straight R&B records (“Spending Time” and “A Girl Like Me” had big name rap features) would tackle the “Urban” audience and serve as an extension of her prior work with Ja Rule on “Between Me and You”. The rest of the album could be serviced to a younger demographic and even succeed overseas. The latter of which ended up being the course it took when at the last minute due to 9/11, Christina’s entire project would ultimately receive little to no U.S. promotion and marketing. Be it so, “Get” had all the makings of a R&B hit in 2001, but when sat next to songs like “AM to PM”, the message and vibe between the two could make it a little confusing to try and get behind what sort of artist Christina was at the time. While some could say that it was lacking cohesiveness, I also think that it is normal to experiment with different sounds and at least TRY lots of things. Which I think when stepping back to assess it all, Christina sort of delivers on all fronts.
AM to PM - Now knowing that “AM” is the sister song to “Play” by Jennifer Lopez, all my life’s questions have finally been answered. That is not true, but I don't think I can listen to this now without thinking of that JLo record. Everything about “AM” is very early 2000’s. The motif of the music video, the emphasis on Christina’s performance ability, and the more wholesome feel-good sentiment being the focus, this was a great pop song for everyone. I would even say that this, next to “Dip it Low”, is Christina’s signature song. Musically, the song COULD read a little too overproduced, but on the flip side of that, could register as experimental? The breakdown, for example, has some unique synths that now at this age I can process and interpret all cohesively. “AM to PM” will forever be a banger in my book.
When You Look at Me - Another massive hit, it too got the promo run it deserved in Europe and Japan. Looking at the performances, I couldn't help but hope that Christina got to soak in the total pop princess moment that she was exuding. Reflecting on this song now, the simplicity and ease of listening is such a treat. The production is FIRE and does just what it needs to do. Bringing in some cool alternative elements with the guitar and that catchy du-du-du-du-du-du-du is big, it is the little things that set itself apart from what some might consider “common” in pop music of this time. The accompanying music video sees Christina in top form, evoking all her charisma, sexiness, and girl next door look to fully embody her POP star status. The video still looks great and proves Christina has good taste, then AND now.
Spending Time - The first thing I notice about this song is just how its overall aesthetic, cadence, and style are SIGNATURE Murder Inc. Unlike “Get Away”, “Spending” has Christina sounding RIGHT. When listening to “Get”, I always wish that Christina was singing a bit louder. But here we do not have that issue and Christina’s sweet voice comes through clear as crystal. “Spending” is a warm, summertime record and one I wished got some video love. This would have REMAINED on 106 & Park without a doubt. Charli Baltimore adds in her verse and it helps contrast the record with a little grit that doesn’t take away from the overall tone of the record. A solid rap-sung collaboration right here!
It Hurts When… - This is the first ballad that we get to hear and Christina does a good job carrying the melody with her tone, but we are definitely put onto the limitations in her voice. Some of the runs and ad-libs don't feel fully actualized and I cannot tell if maybe it was the recording itself or as I mention, Christina just not quite there vocally yet. While the music is nothing too daring, I think the melody of the song is very unconventional and lets Christina deliver a wide array of vocals with lots of character. If anything, the record is a nice contrast to the other songs and gives a new, more vulnerable perspective of Christina (vocally and artistically).
You Make Me Laugh - Confidence is abundant across many of the songs selected for her project. “You” directly speaks to this in the lyrics, “The only reason that you know 'em cause of me anyways. Why do you have so much jealousy? But no matter how you try you can't be me!”. But there is so much confidence in Christina’s delivery as well. Each slick line of this record oozes the “I love my haters” energy that comes from a song like this. It speaks to just how on almost every song here and in future releases, Christina KNOWS who she is and what she brings to the table. This is probably also the reason why she has remained affixed to pop culture and the entertainment industry as a whole, she has the stamina and know how.
A Girl Like Me - Referencing signature sounds on the earlier track “Spending Time”, THIS is signature Jermaine Dupri production. We also get a nice verse feature from the producer/rapper/mogul that gives it that bonafide So So Def mark of authenticity. This is a solid record and I bet it could have fit with many other female R&B artists of the time. However, I think the idea of being the girl who isn't going to stress her man out and always be there to put it down (in the kitchen, bedroom, or anywhere else that it counts) feels authentic to Christina. I mean, she is gorgeous, talented, confident, ambitious - the total package. This was a good look and I enjoyed her soulful ad-libs, it gave me the sense that she was keen on how to tap into those R&B elements with ease when needed.
Twitch - The second of two records that were written with Montell Jordan (he also co-wrote It Hurts When…), it was great to see him lend himself to an uptempo. A solid album cut, “Twitch” has some heavy R&B influence on the production and keeps the thread of new millennium elements going. We get the AI voice, loops of digital sounding drums, and several click strings that were right on trend. Again, Christina’s sugary ad-libs bring some grounding to a record that, without them, COULD sound like there is just a lot happening and it being overproduced.
Until I Get Over You - The second ballad in the lineup, it was a significant improvement from the last. The song opens with a few melancholic plucks on a guitar melody and Christina sounds clear going right into a more familiar style. At the chorus, the strings come in and the mark-tree goes off, adding drama and emphasis to the story she is sharing. This is also a step up vocally, I can hear Christina clearly and she hits every run and ad-lib without a miss. However, I can imagine how all of this together can come off melodramatic and I would have to ask for us to consider the primary (and maybe even target) audience who would be listening to this at the time.
Satisfaction Guaranteed - Probably my favorite album cut and that is probably because it was produced by the same guy (Artful Dodger 😍) that produced a lot of Craig David’s early work. Musically it is a close kin to “Fill Me In” and while the obvious parallels could be off-putting, I don't know, I LOVE to hear Christina on a Craig David-like record! In listening to this record now after years of being a huge Craig David fan, it almost feels like he could have been involved in the vocal production. She takes many of the same vocal techniques but changes them a bit to make it her own. Where I would expect Craig to take a note or ad-lib, she takes it either up or down. This is a fantastic record that I am sure is a familiar one in the U.K., seeing as everything the Artful Dodger did was HUGE at the time.
Got To Have You - All the expected production and music elements are here, but something is endearing about it coming from Christina who lyrically is asserting herself in a relationship set to some pop strings and music that expresses her energy. This was another one where the production highlights her vocals and the ad-libs instead of hindering them. I get the fiery sense of Christina’s personality most right before and into the bridge and we also get some of the strongest vocal runs out of the project.
Thank You - This is the final ballad from the album. Maybe it is the current music climate taking its toll on me, but this song felt like it could have been cut down by a minute or so. In comparing “Thank” to the other records on the project, it does a good job at playing its role. Christina is definitely diving into her best ability at diaphragmatic singing, within her tone and ability. I would be delusional in not acknowledging that Christina is at her debut, young, and definitely still growing into her voice and this record really calls attention to that. I will say that she gives some terrific ad-libs that give us a glimpse into the more stronger vocalist she would eventually become. The music is great, particularly love the guitar before the bridge but like many other moments on this record - my mind goes to similar records from other artists (e.g., S Club 7 - Never Had A Dream Come True). Not a bad thing, just something that is hard to ignore.
“Your Last Call” was a great way to close the door on the project. While at the time of its release, the record had no chance standing up against the likes of other acts who were making songs with the EXACT formula. Hard hitting beats accompanied by super-producers turning the knobs on just about every effect at their disposal. As a millennial, there is just no way to escape how similar this sounds like a cocktail made of all the sugar, spice and everything nice that went into some B2K, Britney Spears, and Backstreet Boys songs of that time. And for that, it is the perfect way to close the sounds that we got to hear from Christina on her debut. THIS record, as much CTRL+C and CTRL+V it reads, was the defining sound from Christina at the time and of the musical era that she existed in. What better way to immortalize your life experience and celebrate the time in which you are living, then with something that is a summation of all those influences.
In closing, I think Christina’s debut was advantageous and is something I hope she is proud of. Like, she really went to Sweden and wrote a lot of these songs while listening to some cutting edge pop production. While that might be a tale as old as time, I think if you have followed Christina as a fan and have seen how she has lived many lives both professionally and personally since the beginning, it’s a trip. A trip that started right here with this very project. I hope y’all enjoyed revisiting these songs as much as I did and that you can hopefully see the critique and maybe you have the same thoughts as I do. If you do, I would love to hear about it! Thank you for reading!
