[Peapeuddedbaw]

Alright. Let us unite, those who still worship at the altar of one Miss Britney Spears.



Today is her 29th birthday. It's truly amazing to think I was requesting "...Baby One More Time" on the radio in 5th grade. She was the first mega star of my generation and the bridge into a pop phase I'll never forget.

Now she's more novelty, but also entering a stage of her career that is crucial to her longevity. People tried to paint her as the new Madonna but that's never been her. The artistry of her music has never been a priority; Britney, unlike Madonna, never takes herself seriously. That's why she's an exciting and crucial element to pop music. Without her, we wouldn't have any of the solo pop divas we have today, including Beyonce, Katy Perry, and especially Lady Gaga. I think they'd be the first to tell you that same thing, too.

I'm not a fan who swears by her, by any means. During her breakdown, I sincerely though we'd lost her. But I value her contribution to pop music. She (along with stellar producers) is behind tunes that people my age will forever associate with the teen pop era, and beyond.

Now that I have that off my chest: She tweeted today that her new album drops in MARCH! A website called MuuMuse said the single comes out January 7th, so we should be hearing it sometime this month! There was a huge writing camp that featured artists like Ryan Tedder, Kerri Hilson, William Orbit, and even Jewel who were asked to pen lyrics for the album. Max Martin and Dr. Luke are executive producing, but that doesn't mean other producers won't contribute beats and tracks. Supposedly, the album is "grimier" and more electronic than her previous releases. Makes me think Blackout taken to a new level. There's already been tweets about "MASSIVE CHORUSES" from Dr Luke. I'm ready!

Discussion: Favorite song? album? era? Do we like hot mess black haired stripper Britney with VMA gut or sleek toned blonde Brit with her lovable frog voice?

[zzquo0iR]

I love me some Britney. She just makes great pop music. I know she's not as involved in her music and a lot of people give her crap for that, but she does SOMETHING pretty amazing to the music because other people who've worked with the same producers don't come up with nearly as fun, exciting, or catchy songs. I happen to like her voice a lot. It's not powerful, but it's unique.

So excited for the next era! I hope it's sonically closer to what "Blackout" was and not the safe route that "Circus" was. "Blackout" is easily my favorite record from her. It's the only one from her where I never skip a track. I'm impressed with the people she's choosing to work with this go round and I've been really curious about what went down in the writing camp. She had some really diverse people there. I do hope she chooses to write a few more songs this time. I know she co-wrote a few on "Circus" including one of my favorite tracks, "Mannequin," so I'd like to see her do that more. But, really, I'm really excited to hear some new Britney. As long as it's better than "3" (which shouldn't be hard)...

[Mediconlinee]

i loved Blackout too..it was the first album of hers i ever listened to in full. i liked quite a few tracks from Circus too.

i'm excited to hear this album, but i'm REALLY hoping that by "grimier" and more electronic Dr. Luke doesn't mean anything along the lines of the stuff he's done for Ke$ha. ugh.

[Ecurrexchangess]

Circus was on my iPod nearly non stop the entire year it came out. Britney is my favoritest of the pop divas.

[pedFlicle]

I am a really big Britney fan, and am very excited for the new album. I hope it's more along the lines of Blackout, or something completely new, but I did love most of Circus (which also had a bunch of b-sides that were better than much of the album like Quicksand, Trouble, and Phonography). I think In The Zone, Blackout, and Circus are all great pop albums overall while her others have massive singles mixed with filler. She should stay away from ballads on the new album, her ballads are always iffy, although I do love Everytime, Shadow, and Lucky (which is a total guilty pleasure).

I'm glad that Britney's personal life is no longer a complete mess like it was a few years ago, but it is upsetting that she had to lose her financial/legal/personal independence for it to happen. At this point, it seems like she isn't bothered by the conservatorships though or else she would have made more of an effort to fight it in the last year.

[Carol]

i'm not a big britney fan, but there are a lot of her songs that i like. during her dark days in 2007-2008, i seriously thought we would lose her to a drug overdose or something. it's remarkable that she's been able to turn her life around.

[Peapeuddedbaw]

Definitely think her later output, as most have said, is her strongest. Although I imagine her propped up on a stool with pills and burping liquor inbetween takes, Blackout is probably her strongest album. The production took her sound to a new level, and there's traces on Circus. As a whole, though, Circus was definitely safe. I agree that the Bsides are fantastic, especially Quicksand, Phonography, and Amnesia. I think the latter could've been a surprise hit! It's so different from what she's done and what's considered safe pop.

Her ballads on the whole....poor. But songs like Everytime and Born To Make You Happy make up for the My Baby's and Email My Hearts (GAG).

[zzquo0iR]

She does have some amazing b-sides. If she is going to go for a ballad, she needs to work with BT again because "I Run Away" is one of my favorite Britney songs ever. I know it will never happen, but she and BT came up with some great stuff.

[Theorsell]

I have to admit I never bought any of her albums before Blackout - and that was out of curiosity about her crazy personal life and an instant liking to the song Gimmie More. Turned out to be an excellent album. Don't know how much of it she actually contributed, but it seems lyrically and musically to be custom made for her. Very dark and twisted in a lot of areas, like her life was playing out. I bought Circus and a double album of her greatest hits and I can say that I now love her! Strangely, I'm so proud of her. Glad she got her self back together.

[Mediconlinee]

She does have some amazing b-sides.

what are some other b-sides of hers worth tracking down?

another ballad of hers i do really enjoy is "Out From Under" - nice production and well-suited for her vocally.

oh and while we're discussing Blackout and Circus, i really wish they had used the Blackout version of "Radar" as a single. it's so damn good.

[Ecurrexchangess]

I must be the only person who likes Circus better than Blackout. Blackout doesn't do that much for me.

[TughEmotteTug]

I haven't heard a full album since the Oops! I Did It Again days but I think her development out of that was very important. When I heard she was coming back with Blackout and Circus I was expecting a train wreck but some of those singles ("Piece Of Me," "Circus") are really great pop songs. Hate "Womanizer" though.

[Mediconlinee]

I must be the only person who likes Circus better than Blackout. Blackout doesn't do that much for me.

i liked Circus a lot too...i probably like the two albums equally actually, but when it comes to "Radar" i definitely prefer Blackout's version.

i love the song Circus and its video, and i wish Kill the Lights had been a single. it's such a fun "fuck you" to the paparazzi.

[soydaykam]

I must be the only person who likes Circus better than Blackout. Blackout doesn't do that much for me.

Nope, me too!

[Peapeuddedbaw]

Hmmm I need to go back and listen to the Blackout version of "Radar" because I remember it being identical to the Circus one!

I think Circus is better vocally, but production and consistency is better on Blackout IMO.

[Ecurrexchangess]

i love the song Circus and its video, and i wish Kill the Lights had been a single. it's such a fun "fuck you" to the paparazzi.

Kill The Lights is my FAVORITE!

[nintenda]

Blackout is an AMAZING pop record. IMO, one of the best.

[maxfieldj1]

One of my favorite Britney's songs is the Junkie XL remix of "And Then We Kissed." I have probably listened to that song more than any other in her catalog.

[Carol]

Blackout is an AMAZING pop record. IMO, one of the best.

i feel the same way.

i also remember loving the cover artwork when it was first released, although it was widely criticized by the press and fans (to the best of my memory). i mean, for a britney album cover, it's pretty damn trippy and all over the place.

[Peapeuddedbaw]

Oh yeah, re: her album covers...

They're all terrible!!!