The moment that blog readers around the world have waited for has arrived: Britney Spears’s new album, Blackout [Jive/Zomba]. Since much of the marketing for the album relied heavily on news coverage of Britney’s personal troubles, many are curious as to what resulted. Watching Spears is like watching an aircraft go down – you know the inevitable, but still hope for the best. Blackout is a million mattresses breaking this plane’s fall. But, who cares about that? Curiosity goes to whomever put the mattresses there.Blackout’s majority of writing and production credit is an urban affair that boasts the likes of Danja, Keri Hilson, The Neptunes, T-Pain, and Sean Garrett. Holding the top spot with five out of the twelve album tracks is Danja. During the time when Brit’s music to be released was anyone’s guess, Danja worked a magic unthought-of by giving Britney a No. 1 single, “Gimme More.” Other tracks like “Break The Ice,” “Get Naked (I Got A Plan),” and “Hot As Ice” are covered in Danja’s signature sound similar to Nelly Furtado’s Loose, but with a much darker and edgier delivery. Timbo’s own artist Keri Hilson – whose background vocals are splashed all over the tracks (including the hit single) – is another glimpse into how Spears might have simply gone through the motions. Blackout is at best a mixture of Cassie, Nicole Scherzinger and even Madonna in its effort to recruit urban heavyhitters to manufacture a hit pop record. If they can do it, then why can’t Britney?The paparazzi princess also linked with Bloodshy & Avant, who previously penned and produced her signature hit “Toxic.” This time the production team cooks up a straight-up ‘80s inspired pop track, which teeters on techno music. The production team further demonstrates their knack for working with someone so inconsistent by penning (probably to inspire Spears) “Piece Of Me.” The track gives Spears the chance to express her frustrations with her public ordeals, “…with the paparazzi who’s flipping me off hoping I’ll resort to some havoc.” Blackout stands as a good dance Hip-Pop album, as disconnected as Britney may sound. A dance record is still a dance record – so it works. When Britney does decide to come through and connect with something besides paparazzi, she’s got a unique sound to come back to – a gift this spectacular production team has given to a still fallen star, who became their showcase artist.
