http://musiqtone.com/musiqtoneblog/?p=21
I tried to stay away from reviewing the so-called comeback album from Britney Spears, but after reading what appeared to be positive reviews, can’t stay away and at the risk of getting flamed to a crisp by her clueless fans, I’ll add myself to the list of the negative review.
‘Blackout’ is the fifth studio release from Britney Spears, who is up for debate on whether or not she is the most scrutinized pop star since Madonna. Billed by the media as a comeback album since everything has gone downhill in every facet of Britney’s life since 2003, it is the opinion of this blogger that if this is called as such, ‘Blackout’ just gave a big black eye to all the comeback albums that have come before this and this blogger doesn’t mean it in a nice way.
At the very least, I will give her credit for getting ‘Gimme More’ up as the first track. While the lyrics are incredibly drab and bland and definitely 1999, someone should definitely hire the beatmaster who created that beat. The beat gives the song catchiness even though the song’s lyrics don’t reflect that. It’s a theme that worked with Spears from 1999-2003, but in 2007, it makes her sound like she’s 17. Although I give her kudos for attempting to bite back with the opening line “It’s Britney, bitch!”
Most of the tracks are basically the same, with the half-hearted and tired attempts at being a mature sex kitten but Britney’s trademark breathy Minnie Mouse-like vocals water it down, giving the songs a very underwhelming feeling. The overall delivery outside of two tracks (one will be mentioned later as it is probably the only good track out of this very bleak album) is exactly like her VMAs performance, half-effort, half-dragged, and almost uninspiring. You want to feel sorry for her, but you just can’t find in there. There is one track, ‘Toy Soldier’ that is quite interesting as she tries to emulate Gwen Stefani’s love for the ripping snare drum march and it leaves you thinking that after 4 years out of music, you’d think she’d come up with something that doesn’t mean shamelessly ripping off a better talent.
Now on to that track that probably was the only good one, in fact its a very relevant one, that being ‘Pieces of Me.’ No, she didn’t try to cover an Ashlee Simpson song….Brit’s version is basically a biting comeback to people like us, who think we know how to fix her up and that she has more problems than any other celebrity on earth. Yes, she has been scrutinized often and you hear Britney call herself “Little Miss Bad Media Karma.” And perhaps she is, but one can’t help believing that she has brought it all on herself. But the song overall hits a chord, even highlights perhaps a glimmer of hope that Britney can actually evolve as a musician (maybe?), and gives credence that she is aware of all the criticism even though she still believes she’s just like everyone else.
Overall the album is quite bleak and average at best. Outside of ‘Gimme More’ and ‘Pieces of Me,’ the rest of the album almost felt like her performance at the VMAs and that’s really not the way you want people to remember you by as a comeback. I would have to agree with Billboard’s staff writers who assert the album is like hearing a bad drunk do an album. I would love to see Spears do what Madonna did, drop out of sight, fix her personal life, conquer whatever demons she may have, and then make a real concerted comeback. This comeback smells exactly like Britney’s life, spiraling out of control with nothing to hold on to.
Album: Blackout
Artist: Britney Spears
Label: Zomba
Rating: 2.5/5
And they better promote it 
what the hell? lol!
WTF
Not only did Ashlee have the backup of a TV show, actual promotion, and of course Jessica Simpson, but like I said sales were completely different in 2004 compared to now. 
As for the album doing slighly better than "I Am Me", it's still a disappointment to Ashlee. Since Ashlee worked her ass off performing on SNL, promoting any gig she could get and couldn't debut as much as this crackhead hoe who did absolutely nothing. 
