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I was abit reluctant about writing this review because it meant i would have to listen to the album lol..BUT im glad i did listen, because aside from the trainwreck that is Britney's life (
which i wont be addressing because hey, this is an ALBUM review, i could give a shit about what she does to lil preston bacon federline or wth ever his name is), shes put out an album that's
VERY close to
POP PERFECTION.Being someone who couldn't really tolerate the first half of her career(
and arguably most successful part of her career), it wasn't until the release of her 2001 third album
Britney when i could actually digest her offerings without needing some sort of antacid afterwards. That album showed a glimpse of what britney could do if she strayed, somewhat, away from the then bubblegum pop formula, the Neptunes produced 'Im a Slave For You' anyone? Once 2003's
In The Zone dropped i actually started the dig the girl(
Hell i even bought burned the album) and the direction she was going in especially with tracks like "Outrageous", "In the Zone" and the Grammy award winning (
her first and only) "Toxic".
The Producers, more so than Britney, should be praised for this effort, providing nearly flawless dancepop beats that couldnt fail. Nate Hills, Avant, Bloodshy, Sean Garrett, Kara DioGuardi, Freescha, Farid "Fredwreck" Nassar, The Clutch, and The Neptunes all add their VERY special touches to help take Britney into Kylie Minogue-ish territory. This is the most obvious on tracks like "Heaven On Earth" and the Club ready "Get Naked (I got a plan)". The intent of this album is to take the listener away from the preconceived notions that surround Britney by hitting u over the head with a sound that's so good you would think it couldn't possibly BE Britney, smart. Straying away from any possible serious issue and directed you to the nearest dancefloor is the overall feel of the entire album, with the exception of the closing track, The Neptunes produced "Why Should I be Sad". This song is a 3 minute crash course into the ups and downs of Britney's car crash of a marriage, but oddly enough it strays away from the potential cornyness and cheese that the track could have easily suffered from and just shares a dark part of Britneys life on her own terms, kudos Pharrell.
Its sad that that the album isn't getting the proper attention it DESERVES, i.e.: a LEGIT album cover, POSITIVE publicity, a video that doesn't look like it was shot in a tacky strip club of a dancer named CandySpice and a sane artist behind it. But throughout Britney's career you cant deny her evolution and growth, all without potential gimmicks and forced personas along the way (
I love you and the Stripped era anyway, Christina!). Even with the current issues going on in her life, you cant take this album away from her, no matter what the intention of it is Blackout is the apex of Brittney's catalog, give her that.
I give
Blackout 4 Remy Indian lacefronts out of
5 ...because the bitch needs em!
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Blackout In Stores Tuesday!