ALBUM REVIEW: Britney Spears' "Blackout"

If you lower the volume on your iPod when you're on the train/bus as the back beat of "Toxic" starts streaming through your headphones at full blast, then you might appreciate Britney's latest album "Blackout" in stores today. Granted there are a few duds: the 80s-style Kylie Minogue-rip off "Heaven on Earth," the horrible attempt at rapping "Toy Soldier," the ill-conceived R&B circa Salt-n-Pepa "Hot as ice," the Paris Hilton-like "Perfect Lover," and the lyrically challenged "Ooh ooh baby" that samples The Turtles' "So Happy Together."

Normally Britney's tracks are addictive because they're easy to dance to. And taking that into consideration, it seems she's been kind enough to supply a hefty amount of stripper beats. We've already downloaded (illegally or otherwise) "Gimme More," and the second single, "Pieces of Me," has got me hooked. Here are the other choice tracks that'll have your holiday bashes pumping (just cover the kids' ears):

"Break the Ice"


"Radar"


"Get Naked"


"Freakshow"It sort of has fast-paced-techno-Fergie-type rapping.


"Why Should I be Sad"
This track was produced by The Neptunes, but the real reason I like it is because it isn't a superficial track. It's about her relationship with her ex-husband Kevin and how she should've seen the signs. It sports lyrics like:

"My life was so restricted for you...My friends said you would play me...Filled up our garage for you...I sent you to Vegas/With a pocket full of paper/And with no ultimatums on you/I thought/what could separate us/But it just seemed that Vegas/Only brought the playa up out of you"

Check out the track for yourself:




Since I like 7 out of 12 tracks, I'd say it's an improvement on the Britney franchise. Now if she could only deliver a performance as good as the tracks, then maybe she'll have a shot at reviving her career before the New Year.