cletta1201's Full Review: Blackout [PA] by Britney Spears
If I were inspired to make a list of people I wouldn’t want to be in life, Britney Spears would certainly be at the top of the list or at the bare minimum in the top five. At 25 years-old Spears has sold (according to the RIAA) over 31 million albums in The United States alone and is ranked as the eight best-selling female artist of all time and yet just mentioning the name Britney Spears this day in age will hardly get you more than a giggle or a sad look of shame.
I could wax poetic on Spears’ personal life for longer than most of you would care to read but for now, let's forget everything that comes along with being Britney Jean Spears “the train wreck” and look at Britney Spears ”the artist”. With her 5th full-length release, Blackout, Spears proves why in a world of faltering pop music she is still relevant. Blackout certainly isn’t revolutionary but what it is 43:37 of pure pop music that begs you to dance and sing along. A little guilty pleasure mixed with stellar production and there you have it.
From the second Spears utters "It's Britney, bitch!" the tone is set for Blackout. The album is confident, polished, saucy – its Kylie Minogue meets Madonna meets Rihanna meets a bag of Cheetos and (gasp) it’s good. While Spears most likely hasn’t gained any fans from recent media exposure, I think letting the music speak for itself is probably a smarter move. As infectious as the Nate “Danjahandz” Hill produced “Gimme More” is, it’s still not the best of what Brit Brit has to offer.
On “Piece Of Me”, Spears’ digitized voice is perfect as she coos “I’m Mrs. Lifestyles of the rich and famous / I’m Mrs. Oh my God that Britney’s Shameless / I’m Mrs. Extra! Extra! this just in / I’m Mrs. she’s too big now she’s too thin” As good as “Piece Of Me” is, “Radar” is even better. It is Britney at her finest, it is 2003’s “Toxic” taken to another level and it is vibrant and simple and if it’s not released as a single, it would be utterly criminal.
Next to “Radar”, the Pharrell Williams (part of The Neptunes) penned “Why Should I Be Sad” reads like a personal letter to one Kevin Federline. Despite having not been written by Britney herself (like the overwhelming majority of Blackout) it is deeply personal and in so many ways, it makes you want to root for Spears, or not.
“Break The Ice” & “Hot As Fire” are also good moments for America’s pop tart. The former is slightly gritty and is reminiscent of another Britney hit, I’m A Slave 4 U. The latter finds Spears actually singing on the T-Pain produced track (as opposed to the digitization of her vocals that is omnipresent on Blackout) and calling herself a living legend which I find charming and kind of a bold thing to say.
“Perfect Lover” is a sneaky gem. Although it smacks you quite hard in the face with the attempt at sexiness, it’s just so perfectly arranged and presented – you actually believe what Spears is selling. Even when Blackout stumbles, it’s still not altogether bad. While “Get Naked (I Got A Plan)” and “Freakshow” aren’t the strongest offerings – they’re not really songs you want to skip because there’s just a little something about them that draws you in to their frenzy.
I suppose that I understand why people aren’t compelled to feel sympathy for Spears but I think she deserves just a little bit of a break. As consumers, we are so quick to build up superstars only to watch them crumble before our very own eyes.
One of the major problems in contemporary music is that record companies aren’t in this business to build careers. They are looking for flash in the pan albums, one-hit wonders and the like. Whether or not Britney Spears has a sustainable career is yet to be seen but she’s done something with Blackout that is very smart – put together a team of superstar producers (The Neptunes, The Clutch, Bloodshy & Avant) who have crafted an album that is easily digested and enjoyed.
And while I recognize that just making something that is palatable doesn’t make something good, Blackout holds its own. And maybe (MAYBE) this is an opportunity for Spears to take the spotlight off of what doesn’t belong to any of us and put it back where it belongs.
Blackout is digital dance music (again think Kylie Minogue meets Madonna meets Rihanna) done in a fairly fresh way. It is strong hooks and thumping bass lines and as album which seems designed to let you know that Spears has still got it, it accomplishes that goal.
Recommended:
Yes
Great Music to Play While: Getting ready to go out
After an absence of four years since her last studio album, Britney is back with what she does best. Featuring all new music, Blackout finds Britney w...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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