Hope does indeed keep Billboard-watchers alive.

Christina Aguilera [Images], after going through the cyclical stages of popstardom that are beginning to get as predictable as the beats on a hip hop track, just might be showing signs of repair.

Last heard being mockingly derisive, some might say with justification, about all the different music stars to enter the clothing line -- recent fashionistas include Britney [Images], Beyonce, J Lo [Images], and even Bono -- Christina, who once sported several body piercings, then inculcated a Dirrty image, and even went Marilyn-blonde, is finally turning to music.

According to femalefirst.co.uk, Aguilera is working on a retrospective album of blues, jazz and soul songs. She feels that with her impending marriage to boyfriend Jordan Bratman, she needs a more mature sound to match her new outlook on life. 'I've been listening to Billie Holiday and Lena Horne,' she says.

Photograph: Getty Images