My review of Britney Spears' album Blackout.
With events such as shaving her hair off, losing custody of her children, and getting married and annulled in 48 hours, Britney Spears’ personal life causes us to forget that she made and broke musical records with her singles and albums.
Her latest release, “Blackout,” is no different. Spears provides her fans and her curious onlookers with fast beats and tantalizing messages that no one can get out of their heads.
“Gimme More”, the single from her latest album, sets the scene for tracks to come. Produced by Danja, Gimme More is a compilation of clubbing beats and a highly synthesized voice.
Spears’ voice sounds processed by a computer, however, that works for the song. ‘I just can’t control myself/ They want more? / Well I’ll give them more’. Gimme More is a song with an ulterior motive. It is Spears’ way of saying that she knows that she is getting bad publicity, but, hey, if the fans want it, she will deliver. Overall, it was a very good single because it is something that no one can get out of his or her heads.
The second single on “Blackout”, “Piece of Me”, is Spears’ ode to the paparazzi with more up-tempo beats and over processed vocal track. ‘I'm Mrs. 'Most likely to get on TV for stripping on the streets/ When getting the groceries/ No, for real/ Are you kidding me?’
Spears is smarter than she lets on since she does agree that all of this publicity is pointless. However, she taunts the paparazzi continuously during this song by constantly repeating ‘Do
you want a piece of me?’ Overall, this song was one of the best songs on the album, and arguably the most fun to listen to Spears’ mocking of the paparazzi.
“Radar’s” heavy beats are not the only things that make this song get under your skin. Britney’s voice in this track stands out more than any other: It is pure and simple, and there is a perfect balance between hip-swaying beats and the sultry lyrics. It is a very easy song to listen to, and ridiculously fun to dance to.
“Heaven on Earth” has a ridiculous amount of potential at the beginning of the song: with the synthesizer pumping, and Britney’s faint whisper, “Heaven on Earth” could have been the ultimate dance song. However, less than a minute into the song, the mood changes, and Spears starts sounding like Paris Hilton on Hilton’s Track “Nothing in this World”.
There is no use in describing what Get Naked (I Got a Plan) is about, because it is all in the title. Now, this song title may make it sound like the next Toxic, but it doesn’t have lyrics that are worthy enough to be stuck in your head for weeks on end. The only positive from this track is the bass in the background of the dirty lyrics. It was the worst song on the album, which is very disappointing because the beginning of the album set the bar extremely high.
One of the better songs on “Blackout” is “Freakshow”, which starts off with Spears doing a slight rap. This song is guaranteed to get anyone pumped up to stand and dance to lyrics like ‘Don't stop it let it flow/ Let your inhibitions go/ It's a crazy night/ Let's make a freakshow’. It was well composed and is sure to be a hit in clubs all around the world.
“Toy Soldier” is guaranteed to be the next hit single. Spears’ taunting voice tells her fans that ‘This time I need a soldier/ I'm sick of toy soldiers/ A boy that knows how to take care of me/ Won't be just coming over...’ This connects to the fans because they all know about Spears and Kevin Federline’s relationship, marriages, and divorce. This hit is sure to be the epitome of a break up song. Did Spears write this song based on experience with Federline?
“Hot as Ice” is slightly controversial for all critics for the fact it has been said how Spears is trashy and needs to lose weight. In this song, Spears says that she still has sex appeal. ‘I'm just a girl with the ability to drive a man crazy/ Make him call me mama/ Make him my new baby’.
The last track on “Blackout”, “Why Should I Be Sad” is the only song like a ballad. The music sounds a lot like something Justin Timberlake’s What Goes Around Comes Around and the entire vibe of Promise by Ciara. The lyrics are dripping with regret and remorse about both her marriage with Federline, and her marriage to her childhood friend. ‘My friends said you would play me/ But I just said they're crazy/ While I was crying, praying/ Was it true?’
Although most wouldn’t sympathize with Spears, this track seems to be something to make the fans feel for her.
Blackout opened on the Billboard 200 as number two, so it is obvious many people were curious about what the final outcome would be.
Blackout is a great album when it comes to clubbing/rave beats and the collaborations on the tracks. However, if robotic sounding lead singers and trashy lyrics cause someone a headache, then this album should be a pass.
