On "Elastic Love," the fourth cut on "Bionic," Christina Aguilera's new set of postmodern future-pop, the vocalist sings in monotone and then stretches her voice over a seductively lashing beat from British producer Switch. His frequent collaborator, M.I.A., also appears on the track, though it's nearly impossible to tell whether it's her or Aguilera singing on any given verse.

This should signal how far Aguilera wants to wander from her traditional reputation as the ratty-tatty diva of vocal runs, or her spell as a piano bar chanteuse. Say what you want about M.I.A.'s Maya Arulpragasam — and this is not meant as another order of fries in the overblown Trufflegate saga — but vocal power has never been her strong suit.

Which isn't to say that Aguilera's voice doesn't have some obvious showcases on "Bionic." "Lift Me Up," an "American Idol"-ready ballad written by old pal Linda Perry, is a classic demonstration of the singer's range from tender to throaty. But for the most part — and in the album's most successful vein — Aguilera plays a hyper-sexed lover bot ready to tie you to the bed posts rather than tie your ears into knots with a well-executed legato.

Other ideas are also in play on "Bionic," including the sumptuous bedroom purrs of "Sex for Breakfast" and some redundantly vampy tracks with producer Tricky, but her dominant message, helped by collaborators like Le Tigre and Peaches, seems to be clear: Lady Gaga isn't the only one who's got friends in Williamsburg.

—Margaret Wappler

Christina Aguilera
"Bionic"
RCA
Three stars (Out of four)

Christina Aguilera, who was set to tour in support of her highly anticipated new album "Bionic" alongside Leona Lewis, has pushed back the tour a year.

In a statement from Live Nation, Aguilera announced the summer tour has been moved to 2011 due to prior commitments she had to make for promoting the album, set to hit stores June 4 and her upcoming film debut, "Burlesque," which is slated for a November release and co-stars Cher. 

"The singer felt she needed more time to rehearse the show and with less than a month between the album release and tour date this wasn’t possible," the statement read. 

Refunds for tickets to Aguilera’s Aug. 19 show at  Verizon Wireless Amphitheater in Irvine are available at point of purchase.

Aguilera is slated to perform at the MTV Movie Awards on June 6.

-- Gerrick D. Kennedy

twitter.com/GerrickKennedy

Photo credit: Spencer Weiner/Los Angeles Times

To say that Christina Aguilera has had a remarkable career is an understatement.  The chart-topping songstress is now a bona-fide brand and arguably the heir to Mariah Carey's R&B throne.

While fans eagerly await a new record -- tipped as "futuristic" and perhaps marking a return to dance-floor bangers such as "Dirrty" -- Xtina today (Nov. 11) releases a greatest-hits collection, "Keeps Gettin' Better: A Decade of Hits," exclusively through Target and the retailer's website.

Pop & Hiss had a five minute chat via phone with the "Beautiful" singer late last week, when she shared a few thoughts on the last decade.  Suffice it to say, this new mother is not looking back in anger.

How does it feel to release a greatest-hits package already?  You’ve had such a remarkable career, yet it doesn’t feel like you’ve been here a decade.

I feel so fortunate. I can’t believe it’s been a decade already.  It’s not that new to me to revisit my catalog because on tour I do reinvent old hits of mine and sort of give them a new life.  But hearing the original versions in their radio form, was a trip down memory lane for me. It’s kind of crazy!

Is there any one of your older songs that you feel especially attached to?

There’s definitely one with extra sentimental value for me.

(More after the jump)