3-way single battle: Britney vs. Avril vs. Kanye and Jay-Z
The Internet was unusually awash in superstar pop content on Tuesday, as Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne and the lofty hip-hop duo of Kanye West and Jay-Z simultaneously dropped new singles online.
A perfect opportunity to manufacture conflict, then. Here’s the verdict on each after three quick listens apiece.
Britney Spears,
“Hold It Against Me”
The skinny: Hitmakers-for-hire Max Martin and Dr. Luke gun for the big-room dancefloor while Spears’ breathily recycles the Bellamy Brothers’ lame musical come-on “If I said I want your body now, would you hold it against me?”
First impression: Points for the big, gnarly bassline, the relentless 4/4 techno-thud and the sawing dubstep (!) break in the middle, but the chorus renders this total Euro-dance cheese.
Second impression: Yeah, that chorus is really irritating. “You feel like paradise and I need a vacation tonight.” What the hell is that?
Third impression: Meh. Kylie’s still the queen of this stuff.
Avril Lavigne,
“What the Hell”
The skinny: Napanee native Lavigne and Max Martin (again) mollify her label’s reputed concerns that forthcoming album Goodbye Lullaby isn’t commercial enough with a slab of giddy, girly bubblegum.
First impression: Damnably catchy. Avril’s a lot more enjoyable when she’s spunky and silly, a la “Sk8r Boi” or “Girlfriend,” than when she’s being serious.
Second impression: My god, I can’t get it out of my head.
Third impression: Undeniable. This is gonna get a lot of 14-year-old girls seriously wound up.
Kanye West and Jay-Z,
“H.A.M.”
The skinny: Two of the biggest names in rap provide an immodestly scaled preview of their forthcoming collaborative album, Watch the Throne.
First impression: The Wagnerian strings, operatic vocal accompaniment and an out-of-nowhere classical-piano interlude toward the end suggest Watch the Throne will not be a stripped-down affair. Both MCs sound impressively pissed off amidst all the plush sonic trimmings, though.
Second impression: How can two men this rich, famous and respected harbour such seething persecution complexes? West is crossing over from angry to scary.
Third impression: Not bad. The album will no doubt be a smug affair, but if all the production is as unconventional as what Lex Luger has done with Kanye and Jay-Z here it won’t be playing it safe.
And “H.A.M.” is indeed “hard as a muthaf---a.”
The Star
http://www.thestar.com/entertainment...and-jay-z?bn=1
However if Britney's clip is hotter than Womanizer than it changes 
