I posted this yesterday in the Britney thread, but decided to make a blog post for this. Why not? lol
'Blackout' is Britney's best album to date. hands down. 'Baby One More Time' was filler fest. 'Oops I Did Again' was a step up. 'Britney' was more grown up. 'In The Zone' was perfection ,but this album tops them all. First of all, it seems to me that this album was well-planned and had a clear direction. I will go back to May and bring the very first quotes about the album. When the national ledger made an interview with one of the hottest producers around ,Sean Garrett.
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“the album will be an upbeat, "feel good" kind of record, not a confessional or angry one”. "exciting, aggressive, and fun". He added that they were "definitely getting back to the basics and trying to make the world dance and sing to her beat".
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Let’s read this preview by Danja, the genius behind ‘Blackout’ back in May.
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“Spears' game plan to make a fun, danceable album has also remained steady, Hills said. Instead of scrapping tracks and starting over once her life started changing, the singer stuck to her strategy to keep the tunes as high-energy, uptempo — and decidedly private — as possible. "She wanted to stay away from being personal," the producer said. "It's fun, it's basic and there's nothing wrong with that. It's about feeling good, celebrating womanhood. And if you don't dance to it, I really don't know what you're listening to."
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So 'Blackout' was meant to be a hot club album that brings Britney back to the music scene. She wanted to have a ballad-less 'Confessions On A Dancefloor", except that this album is light years better and more original. It was a pretty smart concept to distract people/media from her personal life. Imagine if she was talking about the divorce ,rehab and her emotional breakdown. That would have been the last thing people would want from her right now. And it would've been a great excuse to call her boring and done by certain group of "non-fans".
The album is lyrically simple. Britney wants sex in most of it. But hey, it's a club album ,what would you talk about other than S-E-X. And she's celebrating womanhood ya'll. The songs perfectly match Britney's voice. Britney might not be the best singer in the world but she knows what suits her vocal range. I've been reading some reviews by people who claim that this album is only hot because of its producers. Really? Let me tell you that you are absolutely wrong and you have no idea about what you're talking about. First of all, most of the producers won't let any person sing their songs if they are not fit in it. There's a chemistry factor. Hilary Duff worked with the best producers for 'Dignity', but her lack of energy made it seem like a waste of production at times. Katharine Mcphee, she's an american idol and has the voice that everybody wants, she worked with Danja, the same producer who worked in 'Blackout', but you can tell the difference between Danja with Kat and Danja with Britney. There are lots of songs with hot beats but they end up disappointing due to the lack of enthusiasm. *throws 'Whatever You Like' by Nicole here*. Not to mention that most of these producers have already stated that they have been saving their beats especially for Britney, why? Because they know that these songs had Britney written all over them. And they have all been praising Britney's professionalism in the studio and her talent to give the songs her soul and energy 100%.You can totally see that in 'Blackout' more than any of her previous albums. And that what makes it her best record yet.
Britney is also the ONLY executive producer of the album. And if you don't know what that means, here's some info.
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In the music industry the executive producer of a music album is usually in control of the overall decision making in how the album turns out and how the budget is allocated for the project. Executive producer may also decide how many songs are placed in the final cut, which songs are used out of the tracks produced in the process of making the album, and the order in which the songs are placed. In this instance, the executive producer is usually someone who has had input in producing some of the tracks on the album. A particular executive producer's name attached to an album is sometimes used as a selling point to distributors.
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The music is just mind-blowing. Danja has proved that he wasn't just the right hand of Timbaland. But he was the source. I think this album and 'FutureSex/LoveSounds' have revealed a new genre of pop music. The futuristic pop. This sound is fresh and it's so 2007. I guess in 100 years from now, this will be the signature sound of this era. Just like the 60s,70s and 80s. This IS the sound of 2007.
1. Gimme More: 10/10
One of the year's best singles, one of britney's best songs to date. It's simple yet extremely catchy.The chorus is so addictive. Britney's vocals are clear. The opening line screams confidence and became Britney's trademark line. Danja claims britney's legendary makes the song even better. It just never gets old if you ask me.
2. Piece Of Me: 9/10
Lyrically, it could be Britney best song yet. Britney has never been that personal in her songs. She sets the record straight in a catchy mid-tempo beat. The song reminds me of Kanye West's 'Stronger' during the chorus because of the similar "Daft Punk" effect. Bloodshy & Avant are amazing producers. I don't think the song would work well in the radio though, because of the heaviness in the beat. But as long as the message in the song gets spread. I don't mind it at all. It needs a hot video though.
3. Radar: 9.5/10
Another Bloodshy & avant classic. The song screams 'Toxic' part II. And I got the same reaction. Weird at first, addictive after couple of listens. The bridge is fantastic and da dada's at the end keeps you jamming till the last second.
4. Break The Ice: 10/10
If I had to make an all time non-singles top britney songs. This could be in number 1 or 2. The song is perfection. From the first opera sounds to another "comeback" line "it's been a while..." to the catchy chorus. And even britney admits it saying "I like this part”, referring to the bridge that takes you to the future. The spacey effects and futuristic sounds shine in this part. If she didn't release this as a single, then she's done in tons of her fans AND non-fans hearts.
5. Heaven On Earth: 8/10
This song has grown on me like crazy. Surprisingly, I find myself singing it all the time now. It's just soo good. The song is dark and sexy during the verses while cute and fun during the chorus. I love her vocals here. If Britney wants a guaranteed hit in the U.K., then here it is.
6. Get Naked(I Got A Plan): 7.5/10
This song was made for the clubs. It can turn the place upside down. Danja's scary vocals might be a bit annoying after a while. But the production is great. It's not my favorite, but I don't mind jamming to it.
7. FreakShow: 9.5/10
Definitely a Top 3 here. The song is crazy. I can imagine her being in a dark "freaky" club for a video of the song. The faux rap is amazing. I don't like people comparing this to Fergie and Gwen. In fact, britney tried this in "Brave New Girl" but it didn't work well. But here, it's perfect. The lyrics are fun.
8. Toy Soldier:9/10
Bloodshy & Avant + Sean Garrett = BOW. The production, the lyrics, the "gossip" part. This song is amazing and should definitely become a single. It's Britney most ghetto song ever. The song has urban appeal and Britney's energy here is fantastic.
9. Hot As Ice: 9/10
It's Hot as ****ing ice. Amazing track. Her vocals are so cool. And I can't believe that I'm praising something that is T-pained. YES. The song is co-produced by T-pain and it's pretty impressive. It samples video game sounds and it's FRESH. One of my very favorite tracks. I would play it out loud on repeat.
10. Ooh Ooh Baby: 8/10
Yes, this song is beyond underrated. It's really great. The lyrics are nice. It has a very "sway" Latino vibe. The beginning is mind-blowing. The song is one of the slower songs on the album and it brings a balance. Vocally, it's her best song on the album.
11. Perfect Lover: 7.5/10
We have "Slave 4 U" part 2 here. Britney uses her breathy vocals. The song is pure SEX and NO ONE can pull that like Britney. She uses her trademark "hot hot hot hot" during the chorus. Janet must be biting her lips over this song now.
12. Why Should I Be Sad: 9/10
Perfect end for a perfect album. I love how the songs start to slow down gradually. The song is Pharrell's production, obviously. Very laid back song with interesting lyrics and Britney tells her story, but she determines to move on. Her vocals and the whole atmosphere reminds me of Mariah's "Say Somethin'".
My Prediction for upcoming singles:
1. Gimme More
2. Piece Of Me
3. Radar
4. Hot As Ice
My preference of singles:
1. Gimme More
2. Piece Of Me
3. Break The Ice
4. Toy Soldier/ Heaven On Earth [U.K single]
5. Radar
6. Freakshow
- Re-release of Blackout -
7. Hot As Ice
8. Ooh Ooh Baby
9. Perfect Lover
10. Why Should I Be Sad
11. Get Naked
If anything, this album has turned me into a bigger fan of this trainwreck.
