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51.8%ANMag Issue 22 Entertainment
Britney Spears – Blackout
By Wael Al Fatayri, Staff Writer
Beirut, Lebanon – “It’s been a while; I know I shouldn’t have kept you waiting – But I’m here now.” With these words, pop diva Britney Spears opens her yet-to-be-released single Break the Ice – one of the major highlights of her fifth studio album, Blackout.
After five years of legal trouble, a failed marriage and child custody battles, the 25-year-old Mickey Mouse Club graduate, miraculously managed to compile an album, release a video and perform at MTV’s Video Music Awards – although her performance was less than mediocre.
Britney's comeback buzz single, Gimme More, instantly became an anthem in the pop world debuting at number one in the iTunes downloads. However, this single is relatively "okay" compared to the other tracks on the electronically fruity album.
Blackout is another means for Britney to declare her venture into new dimensions of pop, lyrically and musically. Tracks on the album are mostly produced by Timbaland's protégé and booming producer, Nate "Danja" Hills (Nelly Furtado). Other producers, like the Neptunes, Freescha and Kara DioGuardi, Bloodshy & Avant, also made the cut. Exotic yet homogenous, Blackout is supposed to be Britney’s best album ever.
Lyrically, the album stayed in the pop-cliché domain of sexual threats and seduction, yet more innovative than ever. Piece of Me and Why Should I Be Sad are two of Britney's most personal tracks as she addresses her past and painful present. Other highlights of the album are Perfect Lover, Freakshow and Radar.
Although one can notice that it has matured, Spears’ voice remains limited. Most of the tracks’ major adlibs are sung by other artists such as Keri Hilson (Way I Are), Jim Beanz, and Candice Nelson (The Clutch).
Britney seemingly has a hit album under her belt; however, she is not making any effort to promote it. According to the diva’s label, Jive, she is not showing any interest in doing any tour for the album. "Jive is just hoping to continue riding the Britney wave. The label can't afford to waste their money hoping to get some of her time to help promote this. She's too busy [hanging out] in a club somewhere."
Blackout was released on October 30, 2007. It is expected to sell 400 K copies during the first week – a fairly good start. Unless Britney wakes up and acts “alive”, her career is going to experience a real blackout.