Pace Paw Print

Media Credit: stuff.co.nz Spears's new album has been released. See what the big fuss is all about

After a rollercoaster ride of a year this pop princess is ready to make a comeback and this album is definitely the way to go to further that goal.

Originally scheduled for a November 13th release, but bumped up due to illegal online leaks and growing momentum of her current single "Gimme More", Blackout, Spears's latest album, hit stores on October 30th. Rave reviews poured in and even a debut of number one on iTunes's top ten albums all came along as well.

Within one year Spears has gone through a divorce, very public custody battles, an infamous bald head, rehab, and an unforgettable (in a bad way) VMA performance. Properly titled Blackout, Blackout tries to blackout all the bad media, and brings Spears one step closer to her much awaited comeback.

For fans it has been touted as the most awaited album of the year and for the first time in a while (four years to be exact) the attention is not on Spears's personal life but on her music.

After a few listens Blackout sticks out as the dance album of the year.

With twelve tracks, most of them produced by Danja, protégé of Timbaland, and Bloodshy Avant, the masterminds behind "Toxic", there is something for almost everyone.

Although the scarcity of many producers may seem repetitive at times, the diversity of each producer quickly shines as each song quickly makes its own impression and is a blast from beginning to end.

The final track is the only ballad on the album, properly titled, "Why Should I Be Sad," produced by the Neptunes' Pharrell Williams. Instead of focusing all the songs on her break up with Kevin Federline, Spears intelligently stays with what she does best.

Blackout has been acclaimed by critics and fans all over. Entertainment Weekly says "Poetry it's not. Still there is something delightfully escapist about Blackout, a perfectly serviceable dance album abundant in the kind of bouncy electro elements that buttressed her hottest hits."

The Associated Press states "Blackout, her first studio album in four years, is not only a very good album, it's her best work ever - a triumph, with not a bad song to be found on the 12 tracks."

In the song "Piece of Me" Britney expresses her feelings clearly. "I'm Mrs. Bad Media Karma, another day another drama," to "I'm Miss "American Dream", since I was 17, don't matter if I step on the scene or sneak away to the Philippines they still got pictures of my derrière [French for butt] in the magazine."

"Piece of Me" is one of Britney's strongest songs on the album, Spears is able to express her frustrations and make a mock of what is being said of her. It also doesn't hurt that it was produced by the masterminds that provided the electrifying beats to Britney's Grammy winning "Toxic."

The media is constantly criticizing her physical appearance and she fires back on the track, "I'm Mrs. She's too big, now she's too thin."

The New York Times states "The electronic beats and bass lines are as thick as Ms. Spears's voice is thin," it's true, the robotic alterations and use of the voice box stray from her voice, but Spears has never been a promoter of her voice nor is she in the likes of Celine Dion or Christina Aguilera as far as her singing goes.

Katherine Friedman, a junior at PACE states "I don't listen to Britney because she has the voice; I listen to her because she makes me want to shake it on the dance floor."

Of the twelve tracks a few stick out immediately; download "Radar", "Piece of Me", "Break the Ice", and "Get Naked (I Got a Plan)".

Blackout may not be the big winner come award season, but it definitely is what fans wanted, and it won't be a surprise if new ones come on board. A-

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