Blackout

Britney Spears

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 30, 2007)
• Original Release Date: October 30, 2007
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Jive Records
• ASIN: B000WQ9UA8
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (417 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #4,635 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

She may be bald, and her parenting skills may be more backwoods than the celebrity-obsessed would prefer, but when it comes to her profession (singing pop songs, for those who have forgotten) you've got to give Brit a break. Not because her previous records have been flawless--for all its first-listen appeal, Oops! I Did It Again will drive even the most tolerant pop fiend bats after two repeats, and it's hard for long-term fans to overlook the unfortunate "I Love Rock N Roll" off 2001's Britney--but because, despite all the personal tumult, she's feeling the music like never before. Blackout is not a brilliant record for its vocals, though they're good in the cooing, sex-kittenish way we've come to expect (check first single "Gimme More," a monstrously catchy dance-pop number, for the requisite moans and sighs). But it is brilliant. And though the Neptunes, Bloodshy & Avant, and Nate "Danja" Hills do their trippy, thumpy, raved-up thing successfully enough to make you think so, the brilliance isn't in the production only. The crackling "Radar" gets under your skin not just because of its club-ready beat, a familiar element on this disc, but also from Britney's deliberate vocal haze; here she is interpreting how she ought to sound against the heat of this track, and pretty skillfully--she goes for pure vibe, and she gets it. And while the words to the seemingly autobiographical "Piece of Me" are enough to pull you in themselves--here we get to hear Britney refer to herself as "Miss Bad Media Karma"--they get a little something extra from our girl's newly awakened sense of what makes a song flow; she has the good sense to squeal. Is she a credible role model? Certainly not. Is her music worth hitting, as the old song goes, one more time? Absolutely. --Tammy La Gorce

Product Description

Japanese pressing of the 2007 release from the outrageous Pop diva features four bonus tracks: 'Outta This World', 'Everybody', 'Get Back' and 'Gimme More' (Paul Oakenfold Remix). Britney has earned every global award possible, made every major TV appearance, appeared on every magazine cover and truly defines Pop stardom. After an absence of four years, she is back doing what she does best...making great Pop music. Oh, and she's pretty controversial, too! Features 16 new Britney boombastic bombshells including the first single 'Gimme More'. Jive. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Surprise, it's rather good!, November 3, 2007

By	Nse Ette (Lagos, Nigeria) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

I've never owned any album by Britney Spears, and had downloaded the odd track I liked in the past; "Toxic" and "Slave 4 u", and things would have stayed pretty much that way, if I hadn't read rave reviews from critics whose opinion I respect. I decided to give it a try, and surprise, I quite like it.

Yes, it may be largely down to the assembled team of super producers, and their studio trickery (it features quite a bit of vocoder and vocal distortion), rather than Ms Spears' vocal prowess, but the result is rather pleasant, and guaranteed to get your feet moving.

Opening is the smash hit single "Gimme more", a bouncy synth driven song with a technoi-ish sound in the chorus, and those famous opening words, "It's Britney b***". It is so catchy, I keep listening to it over and over.

Other standouts are "Ooh ooh baby" (nice guitars) which is vaguely remniscent of "Toxic", the quirky Pharrell penned/produced "Why should I be sad", which is the closest thing to a ballad, "Get naked (I got a plan)", and the brilliant eurodisco stomper "Heaven on earth" which would make Giorgio Moroder smile.

Some of the lyrics attempt to touch on parts on her life; "Piece of me" deals with the media obsession with her, "I'm Mrs. Lifestyles of the rich and famous / You want a piece of me / I'm Mrs. Oh my God that Britney's Shameless / You want a piece of me / I'm Mrs. Extra! Extra! this just in / You want a piece of me", while on the skeletal marching groove of the Gwen Stefani-ish "Toy soldiers" she seems to diss her ex, stating that "This time she needs a real soldier, and she's sick and tired of toy soldiers" (in a cartoon-ish voice).

If she keeps releasing music this good, she just might succeed in blacking out all the negative press! A fun record which succeeds.

38 of 49 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Stellar Release From Britney Spears, December 2, 2007

By	Dorrie Wheeler - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

It's been 4 years since pop tabloid sensation Britney Spears has released a solo CD. "Blackout" marks Britney's return to the pop music world. The first single released from "Blackout," was the club friendly track "Gimme More." Radio loves the single and it's proof that Britney is definitely back in the music industry. "Blackout" is a mix of electronica, R&B and club tracks. On the song, "Piece of Me," Britney declares that she has been the American Dream since she was 17. The song could easily be a radio single as Britney fights back at the tabloids.

"Break The Ice," is a melodic club friendly song that will strike a chord with Britney's audience. Fans of her third album, "In The Zone," will appreciate this song about meeting a new love interest. "Heaven On Earth," is an electronica inspired fast paced song.

Britney, who is now 25 years old, definitely shows off her adult side on "Blackout." Song's on the songs "Get Naked," and "Freakshow."

The songs on "Blackout," have powerful tracks and Britney's vocals are very melodic and sometimes hypnotic. People who thought Britney might come back with a sad CD because she just went through a divorce are all wrong.

Britney addresses her personal life on the Neptune's produced song "Why Should I Be Sad." Britney is a survivor and isn't letting her personal life or the tabloid drama that follows her from stopping anything.

Britney brought her "A" game to "Blackout." The upbeat tracks will keep people on the dance floor for hours and are sure to be popular with fans both old and new. When listening to "Blackout," you can hear that Britney has been inspired by artists such as Madonna, and Pet Shop Boys.

Production-wise Britney can't lose on "Blackout" as she works with some of the top music producers in the industry. "Blackout" features production from super-hot producer Danja, who has produced for Justin Timberlake, Bloodshy and Avant, and The Neptunes.

Stand out tracks on Blackout include the first single "Gimme More," "Break The Ice," "Piece of Me," "Heaven on Earth," and "Why Should I Be Sad."

46 of 61 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Overly packaged and produced, but still a very fun album, November 8, 2007

By	Gen of www.LibraryOfEden.com (California) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Amazon Verified Purchase

While it is clear that Britney herself was only a small portion of the making of this CD, the beats, lyrics, and general tone are just what I'd expect from a Britney album - fun, light, and very catchy.

You can hear that Britney's voice has been played with in the studio - it sounds like she came in, did a bit of singing, and left them to perfect the sound. But even with that, the album is a lot of fun to listen to and one that I have been enjoying a lot. I love dance beats and songs that make me want to sing along and move, and this CD is great on both of those.

The best song is easily Gimme More, but the rest are all pretty good as well. Not a whole lot of character, but the songs are all catchy and there aren't any real losers in the bunch, which is more than I can say about most CDs I have bought!

If you are a Britney fan, go ahead and get this latest from her - it isn't as good as B in the Mix or her other top CDs, but it will stick to your player for a good long time!

Two months later: I wanted to add that this CD really has staying power. Most of the songs have really grown on me, and I have found that when I want to listen to something catchy and dancy, which is most days, I reach for this CD over other ones - even mix CD's of my own making! There is only one song I consistently skip past (track six) and the rest are pretty darn good. I have gotten most of the songs on the CD stuck in my head over the past months, and listened to it over sixty times, and I am still not tired of it. So overall I'd say this is a no-brainer purchase for those who like a fun dance beat.