2008 Woodie Awards
CD Review: "Blackout"
Set the Record Straight
Amy McIntosh
Issue date: 11/1/07 Section: Features
The rest of the album is reminiscent of the wild child Britney that the public is more familiar with. One track, "Freakshow," with a title that seems highly appropriate, features Britney in her clubbing escapades, where she promises to "give 'em a peep show."
The techno-backed "Radar" follows "Gimme More" as another song that will be stuck in the heads of listeners for hours after listening. "I got my eye on you and I can't let you get away," she interjects halfway through the song. Though the chorus has the possibility of being quite annoying, the song is not half bad.
In songs like "Radar" and one of the last tracks, "Perfect Lover," it is clear that Brit has moved on with her life. "Better hurry up cause time is ticking…Tick tock tick tock…Come and get me while I'm hot." Not only are the songs energetic and upbeat, they also speak about Britney's personal issues, making it clear that she is going on with her life despite what the critics say about her.
However danceable the songs may be, it is often difficult to escape the sometimes ridiculous lyrics. "Toy Soldier," presents itself as a bad military metaphor, with lines such as, "I'm tired of privates drivin'…Need a general that ain't weak." The highly suggestive "Get Naked (I Got a Plan)," leaves little to the imagination as she sings about, well, getting naked. And the ever-so-creatively titled "Ooh Ooh Baby," includes the word "baby" so many times that it stops souding like a real word by the end of the song.
Still, the album seems to be missing something, though it is hard to say exactly what that "something" is. Britney's singing skills have always been slightly better than mediocre, but with all of the techno beats and electronic manipulation, it is difficult to tell whether or not her voice is as good as it was back in her Mickey Mouse Club days. While the songs are definitely worth listening to, they do not have the same appeal as her older hits. The songs are not easy to sing along to and it is doubtful they will ever play most of them at junior high dances. Britney is no longer for the children.
It's safe to say that the general music-listening public expected something bad from the woman who drove a car with a child on her lap and recently shaved her head for no apparent reason. But after listening to "Blackout" in its entirety, one thing is for sure. It could be a lot worse.
Grade: B-
The techno-backed "Radar" follows "Gimme More" as another song that will be stuck in the heads of listeners for hours after listening. "I got my eye on you and I can't let you get away," she interjects halfway through the song. Though the chorus has the possibility of being quite annoying, the song is not half bad.
In songs like "Radar" and one of the last tracks, "Perfect Lover," it is clear that Brit has moved on with her life. "Better hurry up cause time is ticking…Tick tock tick tock…Come and get me while I'm hot." Not only are the songs energetic and upbeat, they also speak about Britney's personal issues, making it clear that she is going on with her life despite what the critics say about her.
However danceable the songs may be, it is often difficult to escape the sometimes ridiculous lyrics. "Toy Soldier," presents itself as a bad military metaphor, with lines such as, "I'm tired of privates drivin'…Need a general that ain't weak." The highly suggestive "Get Naked (I Got a Plan)," leaves little to the imagination as she sings about, well, getting naked. And the ever-so-creatively titled "Ooh Ooh Baby," includes the word "baby" so many times that it stops souding like a real word by the end of the song.
Still, the album seems to be missing something, though it is hard to say exactly what that "something" is. Britney's singing skills have always been slightly better than mediocre, but with all of the techno beats and electronic manipulation, it is difficult to tell whether or not her voice is as good as it was back in her Mickey Mouse Club days. While the songs are definitely worth listening to, they do not have the same appeal as her older hits. The songs are not easy to sing along to and it is doubtful they will ever play most of them at junior high dances. Britney is no longer for the children.
It's safe to say that the general music-listening public expected something bad from the woman who drove a car with a child on her lap and recently shaved her head for no apparent reason. But after listening to "Blackout" in its entirety, one thing is for sure. It could be a lot worse.
Grade: B-
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