Justin’s bringing SexyBack. I like it.

I’ve always kinda liked Christina Aguilera, and even though she’s considered a “pop star” she’s garnered enough respect that that’s not an embarrassing admission (the way it would be if one said they always kinda liked Britney Spears or Jessica Simpson). Though she was lumped in with them as part of the late-90s blonde pop sensation, she always seemed a bit different to me. First there’s her voice; no one can deny her talent. Her videos were often edgier (see “Fighter” for example) and her music seemed more influenced by other genres. I can’t fathom Jessica Simpson singing alongside Li’l Kim, but Christina did it twice. I’ve also always thought she exuded a weird blend of do-me sex appeal (”Genie in a Bottle,” “Dirrty,” “Lady Marmalade”) and feminist confidence (”Fighter,” “Can’t Hold Us Down,” “Beautiful,” “What a Woman Wants”).

Her newest disc, Back to Basics, drops on August 15, and I’m curious to hear the two album set. She claims that it was influenced by jazz, and I’m sure she was also inspired by married life. According to an article in People magazine:

“Back to Basics pays homage to vintage jazz, soul and blues styles, which Aguilera says inspire her. ‘Not to say that music today doesn’t have heart, but it’s really few and far between because technology has advanced itself so much that anybody can be a singer,’ she says. ‘Back in the day, you had to know how to sing.’

Her new single, “Ain’t No Other Man” is really great (evidently it was inspired by her new hubby); I just added it to my workout playlist. I’m excited to hear more.

Al Gore is awesome. My husband has always said so, and for any of you who doubt it, go watch his guest appearances on Futurama.

Fry: “Who are you people?”
Al Gore: “I’m Al Gore. And these are my vice presidential action rangers. A group of top-nerds whose sole duty is to prevent disruptions in the space-time continuum.”
Fry: “I thought your sole duty was to cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate.”
Al Gore:“That, and protect the space-time continuum. Read the Constitution.”

Like I said. Awesome.

Anyway, the husband has been pushing me to go see Gore’s enviro-documentary, An Inconvenient Truth. I really want to see it, but I’m afraid that it will just leave me hopelessly depressed. However, I’ve heard from friends that, while sad, it’s also really uplifting, because you learn what you can do to help the environment. And as someone who drives everywhere, rarely recycles, and throws away too much paper, I need to sit up and pay attention. Sometimes I have a little fantasy of moving somewhere like Portland, where I become a hardcore recycler and bike everywhere. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll actually do it. But until then, I need to see this movie and start fighting for (but not on!) this planet we all share (hear me, George W.? Share. Look it up, and stop fighting, already). So here’s my demand: Go. See. It.

When “I’m Like a Bird” came out in 2000, I kinda liked it. It was different from what was being played on the radio (always a relief) and since I was a B&N music manager at the time, I was constantly on the lookout for new and cool stuff. Then a couple of tracks from Whoa Nelly popped up on in-store play, and I started feeling the burnout. By the time her second single was released, I was totally over the whole thing, and I consequently ignored Folklore, her 2003 release.

All this brings me to her new album Loose, which I just got the other day. I was first turned on to it when I heard the track “Promiscuous,” which didn’t sound anything like the Nelly Furtado I remembered. Featuring Timbaland and a groovy club beat, it got stuck in me head. In a good way. Now that I’ve heard the whole album, I can see why she’s getting compared to Gwen Stefani, but I think Nelly really brings her own flavor to the disc. I dig the frenetic Spanish “No Hay Igual,” and “All Good Things” is a solid track despite the Coldplay association. It’s fun, varied, and good for working out, cleaning house, or chilling after a long night. Check it.

La Mujer de Mi Hermano (My Brother’s Woman/Wife)

I really wanted to catch this movie when it came out, but it was only showing for about 10 seconds, and I missed it. I’m sure I’ll catch it on Netflix, but in the meantime, did anyone see it? Was it good?

Maybe when the DVD comes out, we can have a “Slightly-Dirty-and-in-Spanish” movie marathon with this, Y tu Mama Tambien, and whatever else anybody can think of. Who’s in?