Britney Spears Album: “Blackout”

It's been 4 years since pop tabloid sensation Britney Spears has released a solo CD. "Blackout" marks Britney's return to the pop music world. The first single released from "Blackout," was the club friendly track "Gimme More." Radio loves the single and it's proof that Britney is definitely back in the music industry. "Blackout" is a mix of electronica, R&B and club tracks. On the song, "Piece of Me," Britney declares that she has been the American Dream since she was 17. The song could easily be a radio single as Britney fights back at the tabloids.

"Break The Ice," is a melodic club friendly song that will strike a chord with Britney's audience. Fans of her third album, "In The Zone," will appreciate this song about meeting a new love interest. "Heaven On Earth," is an electronica inspired fast paced song.

Britney, who is now 25 years old, definitely shows off her adult side on "Blackout." Song's on the songs "Get Naked," and "Freakshow."

The songs on "Blackout," have powerful tracks and Britney's vocals are very melodic and sometimes hypnotic. People who thought Britney might come back with a sad CD because she just went through a divorce are all wrong.

Britney addresses her personal life on the Neptune's produced song "Why Should I Be Sad." Britney is a survivor and isn't letting her personal life or the tabloid drama that follows her from stopping anything.

Britney brought her "A" game to "Blackout." The upbeat tracks will keep people on the dance floor for hours and are sure to be popular with fans both old and new. When listening to "Blackout," you can hear that Britney has been inspired by artists such as Madonna, and Pet Shop Boys.

Production-wise Britney can't lose on "Blackout" as she works with some of the top music producers in the industry. "Blackout" features production from super-hot producer Danja, who has produced for Justin Timberlake, Bloodshy and Avant, and The Neptunes.

Stand out tracks on Blackout include the first single "Gimme More," "Break The Ice," "Piece of Me," "Heaven on Earth," and "Why Should I Be Sad."

If this were another time and another era and if Britney Spears weren't "Britney Spears," this album would be selling like Michael Jackson's "Thriller." Because "Blackout" really is her best album. She really is one of the best commercial Pop artists ever. Britney has certainly had some of the more recognizable Pop songs over the past 10 years like "...Baby One More Time" and "Oops!...I Did It Again." As a recording artist and celebrity, she has captured the public's imagination on multiple levels.

Britney Spears has gotten notably better since her debut album. I think the first signs of evolution were with 2003's "In the Zone" and now once again with her 2007 release "Blackout." Where she has succeed and where some of her young peers haven't is that she's been able to stamp her image and persona on every song like Michael Jackson and Madonna have done. Even though slick producers like Timbaland's protégé Nate "Danjahandz" Hills (Gimme More) along with Bloodshy & Avant (Piece of Me) deserve at least half of the credit on the album "Blackout," without Britney Spears on these tracks they just don't sell. She's the secret ingredient on all of these songs. Only she could get away with something called "Get Naked (I Got a Plan)."

After 83 million albums sold WW, Britney knows her game very well and it's most evident on "Blackout." As a recording artist, she gets what works for her and what doesn't. We're not going to hear her trying to warble her way through Mariah Carey or Whitney Houston power ballads. Let's face it, some people try and it just doesn't work. Britney knows what her strengths and weakness are like Madonna does and she plays to them perfectly on "Blackout." She's a Dance/Pop artist and she has never pretended to be otherwise. Britney's never tried to be the next Celine Dion and shouldn't be faulted for that. Most people can't sing that well. You have to put her talent in perspective with the type of music that she's recording. If you do that, then she's A-list without a doubt. She's the best of her age group. If she continues to make albums that are as good as "In the Zone" and "Blackout" then in time she might be a true icon like her idol Madonna is. Her ascent to the top of the Pop world should continue if she can rise above the 24 hour media circus and put her legal problems behind her. Because "Blackout" makes a damn good argument that she should be next in line for queen. And her former Mickey Mouse mate Justin Timberlake might join her as king. Who knows?

But come on folks, Britney Spears deserves some credit. In the midst of probably her darkest moment, she has delivered her best record. Most people in the same situation under the same circumstances wouldn't have come even close. Appreciate her ability and her music for what it is and you won't be disappointed. I hope the Grammys remember her in February of 2009. An album like "Blackout" shouldn't be ignored.

Much of Britney's latest CD is more subdued in the dance beat department, not what you'd expect from her. Granted, most of the songs are `danceable', but they don't have that hard hitting feel of some of her biggest past hits, although, it is definitely nice to see her moving into a more mature sound. I love Heaven On Earth, with its retro 80s electronica dance feel, and Get Naked is classic Britney. In fact, the strongest tracks on here for me personally were tracks 5-9...until I heard the bonus tracks. Track 13, "Outta This World", is a mellow jam with a catchy melody, but it's really just a warm up for the stunning tracks that follow. Track 14, "Everybody," is NOT a cover of the Madonna dance classic (now that would have been hot), but this is one of the best dance tracks on here--heavily samples Sweet Dreams by Eurythmics, including Annie's vocals. The whole CD should have been this infectious. Track 15--no, not a cover of the Beatles "Get Back", but ANOTHER standout dance jam in the style of recent Nelly Furtado. How could these tracks NOT have made the original cut of the album??? And finally, track 16 is another HUGE reason to have this pricey import (along with track 14!). The Paul Oakenfold remix of Gimme More is here in its FULL 6 minute plus version!!! This remix was not available on the import CD single and all I can say is WHY NOT??? This hard electro house mix is the BEST remix I've heard, giving added attitude with a driving beat and a hard bassline. Amazing.

This is definelty an album for the younger crowd. I am sure they loved it. I am 20 years old and I would love to hear this whole album played a a club because its great for dancing. I think she did great for a comeback album and all the best to her!

i was very surprised when i heard the entire album. i was expecting to like it but i never knew i'd love it!! i really do love and miss the old briney in her oop's i did it again thing but this is a great dance album.

1. gimme more 5/5 obviously...

2. piece of me 5/5 wow!!

3. radar 5/5

4. break the ice 5/5

5. heaven on earth 5/5

6. get naked (i got a plan) 3/5 my least favorite track but i like the beat.

7. freakshow 4/5

8. toy soldier 5/5 she must of just realized that kevin wasn't a man.

9. hot as ice 5/5 it's different but sounds really cool.

10. ooh ooh baby 5/5 i really love the chorus.

11. perfect lover 4/5

12. why should i be sad 5/5 sounds like destiny's child would of sang it but britney sounds soooo good!