"Music Minute" - The ever under-valued Blackout

Les-be-honest, darlings Britney Spears latest musical endeavour called "Britney Jean" was not much of a strike of brilliance. Yes, its Dita throwing some shade hewre! There might be two or three good ones on there but it definitely is more like "Britney-Do-You-Really-Try-To-Sell-This-Overproduced-Shit-As-Personal-Jean". Not convinced? Read the review here!

BUT, and its a big one (Pun intended!), Britney has served us real good stuff during a time when she was everything but right in he remind and her career was on a huge down path. Remember the headlines? "Bold Britney Beat Up A Car!", "Fatney Spears - VMA Bacon Comeback" and "Blackout - Yes turn off the lights when she is on stage!". As they may be harsh an nowadays that would not happen to  any celeb again, the then released "Blackout" is one of the best pop dance albums I know. And hunty, I know quite a few out of this decade! Blackout, released in October 2007, has acclaimed critical appraisal and quite a commercial success it somewhat is the always understated and undervalued album of Spears. And let me state one thin in advance: I don't know how they prepped her up to record it, or maybe the challenge to record it and the expectations get her going on it. I don't know it, but i do know that it is damn amazing. SO lets go through the whole thing track by goddamn great track!

Lets start off with the album cover: Well I am torn. On one hand I like the overall design it is bright colored, club reminiscent and very much an homage to a drug trip thing (I think.) The design is clear, no bling bling, just clear her in the middle and the title and her name bold on it. Ain't nothing wrong with that. All though I have to object with her nappy wig and her outfit! Gurrl, you seemed to have pissed off the wrong queen!

Anyways, lets get to the essential things: the songs. Blackout comes with a regular number of 12 and in the Japanese bonus version with up to 15 tracks plus one remix. Pretty decent in my eyes, but could also have been one or two songs more. Fair enough she offers some variety.

01 - Gimme More

"It's Britney Bitch!" - The one iconic line that still accompanies Britney till today opens album opener and lead single of Blackout. The song scores with a great hook, mesmerizing clap beats and a twisted beat that gets you on the floor and to the pole. The lyrics are simple, everyone knows them and the attitude is pretty clear. Just a simple pop song that has caught the world on fire and still gets us going! A clear 10/10, and hence a must have in every good party music collection!

02 - Piece Of Me

Probably the heart of the album as it clears up with all the fuzz surrounding Britney in the times of her and her escapades. Well and certainly everyone wanted one or more pieces of her and she just gone mad. And this song wonderfully expresses this with a vibrant beat and intervening moaning voices. Simple in beat structure over the chorus and taking up the intensity in the hook. A real grant for great fun and dance joy! Misses "Oh-My-God-That-Britney-Shameless" gives you her best kiss my ass and leave me alone song. Another aim, shoot and goal 10 out of 10!

03 -Radar

Bing Bing beat and a 90's action video game adventure sound with a dominant bass beat could usually not go wrong, but in comparison to its precedes this one has certainly less appeal. But that does not mean its less fun as it is mysterious and quirky at once giving us full battle commander sexy realness. I am game for that battle so lets start the rockets at a good 8/10!

04 - Break The Ice

First I have to say I was not madly in love with this one but then my attachment grew, somewhat quilted towards that insanely amusing and crazy ass video. Japanese porn inspired Aime stuff? WTF? And then with a side twist? Okay I am game! The song actually is a mixture of what you think the 80's must have sounded like with more computers and synthesizers. Just the chorus that sound like sung by a choir and the mysterious beat get you into the game. A clear 8/10. (And yes, my body is spinning like a hurricane!)

05 - Heaven On Earth

Okay this is the only song I am not that fond of. There is just something about this one that is a bit annoying. The Lolita thing gone icy sexy, waiting for a man that is perfect does not do it for me, and darling the whole desire in your body thing does not as well. May be intended as a good one, but give me one minute with it and I am pretty much over it. #SorryNotSorry Still a 6/10.

06 - Get Naked (I Got A Plan)

And the sun rises again as a sick and twisted beat comes on with a mad house attitude that brings out the songs Joker qualities. Two face Brit is on her way as she announces her craziness with her sexy alter ego crawling the imaginary corridors of Gotham Asylum. The sex undertone and the obvious male gaze that comes from the male song in there might not be considerable for a feminism award but the song still gets the sound approval of 9/10.

07 - Freakshow

My personal album favorite with a booming beat that vibes at the beginning. Freakshow is what I love about "Blackout" most: the desire and balls to go a bit freaky, experimental and electronic. Away from Nelly Furtado 2006 and 2007 back to twisted, quirky and crazy tunes as this one is. With an upbeat tempo and synthesizers used to the nines I am one happy listener! Definitely 10/10! Great work!

08 - Toy Soldier

Another twisted beat that says: this Britney said goodbye for good from the school girl Lolita thing. Thank god! Sounds like a march as the drums are always present in the background. Maybe due to the song theme of men as soldiers and that she is said of these toy soldiers. What she wants is a real man. Okay Brit, wish granted! With that good of a quirky song I can not object! 8/10

09 - Hot As Ice

And right when there is a score against the "I am a sweet lil Lolita" image it comes right back around the corner in form of this song. And damn! The song is pretty catchy all though the whole thing somewhat is lacking vision and singing " I'm just a girl with the ability to drive the men crazy" is not what I would call interesting and adult challenging smart lyrics. As well the sound is rather boring compared to the other bangers on here. 6/10

10 - Ooh Ooh Baby

Sounds like Spanish guitars meeting pop electronic music and that is what it is. Another Lolita song. But a fair enough better one then number nine so I might as well spare the "Stop-The-Lolita-Crap" part and give the song its 7/10.

11 - Perfect Lover

Twisted and a little mystical comes number eleven of "Blackout" that, as most of the other songs turns around the one topic of the album: men. Well we will have to work with that, but the song has this erotic energy that we really get an idea of a hot steamy seductive vixen thing going. fair enough that is worth 8/10 and the remark that "Blackout" will probably not enter history as a feminist album.

12 - Why Should I Be Sad

The slowest song on the album is as close to a classical Britney ballad as the theme of electronics of the album lets it get. The lyrics are to sing along and the idea behind the whole song believable, all though its about men once more. But Britney singing" Yeah I cant believe I did it" makes some sense taking the time this album was released in concerned. And after all the girl shall not be said as her life seriously can not be that bad in 2014. A good, solid 8/10.

In summary "Blackout" reaches a score of  98 points out of 120, which gives an average of about 8,2 points per song, and if I am not wrong that should totally be one of the best reviews on here. "Blackout" might not be a lyrical masterpiece, cut on amazing and world turning topics or push forward our perceptions of female performers, but that was never the intend of this record. It just is the music that leads to blackouts, is played after one and that will lead the electrics to shutdown cause its so good that it causes a blackout as the crowd goes wild. It simply is damn god pop and dance record.

Twerpocalypse 2013 - 20 Songs That Invaded My Ear - Part 1

Man, this year has flown by like nothing. At least it feels like it, even though looking back it seemed so filled with big pop cultural moments like no other. So what better way to look at the passed year then starting a review of it that looks back by giving a list of the 20 songs that invaded my ear. So lets start the first part of the list, number 20 till 11!

Honorary Mention - "Sublime" by Raja (2012)

Raja, is season three winner of RuPauls Drag Race. Raja is known for her androgyneous, warrior type style of drag that dominates the runway. She might not be as known as Jinkx or Willam but Raja has this very mystical and daring personality. Sublime might be from 2012, and hence can only gets the "Honorary Mention", but it is such a great song with a concept music video that it just had to be part of this list. Because it is about that time, I am feeling so sublime.

#21 (Should Be On The List, But Not in the Top 20) - "Dark Horse" by Katy Perry feat. Juicy J. (2013)

As you may have noticed I was not what you call in love with Katy Perry's latest musical effort named PRISM. But there is one song on there that has made its way into my musical heart and that is Dark Horse. Maybe its ound like a chipmunk remix of something in the beginning but then turns into this vibrant beat thing with some funk musoc in it. Katy making it a mixture of singing and rapping and Juicy J really delivering a fitting rap end make up a bit for PRISM as a musical failure.

#20 - "Excuse My Rude by Jessie J from "Alive" (2013)

There is something about Jessie J's voice that mae you either wanna hate or love her. And with "Excuse My Rude" Jessie not only hits all the right notes, but as well is she rocking all the right lyrics. This song definitely says it all and say it best when simply stating "Excuse my rude, but I really fucking hate you!", I mean if we are honest there are a few people you would like to say that to. (I actually have a long list of such people!)

#19 - "The Stars Are Out Tonight" by David Bowie from "The Next Day" (2013)

Smooth, soothing ans sensual. These three words may describe this song best as it is a great song from an even greater and legendary musician. The song definitely reminds me of one of these old lounge act that stand n a stage in a small club and the leaad singer makes love to the mic. What is not to love about that? Exactly! And even better is the music video starring Bowie himself and Tilda Swinton. #Legendary

#18 - "Bad Girls" by M.I.A. from Matangi (2013)

M.I.A. is a very well known symbol for hip hop and rap that is not kept in boundaries. And that is seldom in the buisness since hip hop has always been about stereotyper, heteronormativity and the American Way. So what distinguishes M.I.A. and "Bad Girls" from it is that she manages it perfectly to mix in oriental flair and sounds without loosing thedgyness of the new electronic hip hop wave. That song definitively is one of my favorites for driving in my car.

#17 - "#BlurredBynes" by Detox, Willam & Vicky Vox (2013)

Robin Thickes "Blurred Lines" was such a horrible song that it definitely deserved to be parodies an taken to the realm of funny. And along there comes a bunch of witty and funny queens that make this one their own. "#BlurredBynes" is as much a parody of "Blurred Lines" as itis making fun of Amanda Bynes, supportng Amanda Bynes and making fun of absolutely anyone and anything. Besides amazing drag looks, sickening lyrics we get some of the greatest hashtags ever! #VAGINACIDE #SRSLYSYRIA

"Britney Jean" - A Bitch constantly husteling - A Review

It has been a while since Britney Spears has released a new album. But now she did it again and put out her latest project "Britney Jean". She marketed the album as the most personal album of hers up to date. Well, lets see if this glimpse at the "real" Britney really is what she promises us.

The cover is very clear and kept simple... Almost too simple. Just her and a neon sign that says Britney jean in a red heart. Well, that s not what I a would call very creative but I guess it is supposed to show simplicity and honesty of Britney.(And actually I want to say that every intern could have created this picture. Give a fan a picture of her, photoshop and a little time and they will come up with a way more striking cover! Well, alegedly!) BUT: honest is what the cover definitely is not. Look at her! I mean it is pretty but actually it is the most photoshopped picture I have seen in a while! (Allegedly!) Let me give you some tips Brit. If you want to make this album to be closer to your fans, to be their friend, to be their supporter and their idol at the same time then make the whole recepie less photoshop and more of the real you. Please! You are beautiful without tons of photoshop! (And some wrinkles and other natural characteristics of beeing 30 somethig ish are normal, and if necessary can be covered with something called make-up.) Anyways, lets get back to the real buisness and focs on what an album actually is about: the music of it. ""Britney Jean" comes along with 14 songs on the delxe version, but only 11 or so in the standart one. Damn, that is a short album!

Lets get to the songs in detail and haopefully not find something to really wrip into shreds, because I already have the feeling that there might be some things And thereby I mean a shitload of stuff!) to criticize. Because Britney has been husteling along in the industry for about 15 years or so now, and I always had the feeling that she was more of a ventriloquist puppet for managers and stuff then she actually was in absolute control of her artictic output. (Nevertheless we have been seeing some amazing performances, heard somegood songs and could sing along a ton of Brit songs!)

#1 - Alien

The albums starts off with this interestingly titled mid tempo pop song. The choice to name it Alien gives certain expectations that somehowwont be easy to fullfill. Although the song has some magic to it in its charming hook and the mesmerizing qualities autonune has put out of Britneys voice. (Lets face the music here: Autotne comes in different categories. There is a bit, there is some centimeters and there is shitloads.And this is somewhere between shitloads and centimeters! #SorryBoutIt) The song, on long distance, fails a bit to deliver the goodies, but still it is a nice one. So I will be good and give it a 7/10.

#2 - Work Bitch

Oh yes, the old hustle for something game. As many others have pointed out I have to admit that the topic is old and others might have worked it out better. If you want a depth analysis of it just click here and read all about it. But just then I also have to admit that I listen tto it sometimes and in the club I have requested it once. So I will be nice again and make it a 7/10.

#3 - Perfume

Okay, right now I already get the feeling that Britney has it with generic titles that create expectations. but this one is better at delivering the goods for it. As the fist ballad of the album "Perfume" delives some good vocals from Britney. The chorus on the other hand I am split about. One half finds it repetitive and stupidly boring to make perfume about marking territory the ther hal is hopelessly singing along and liking the idea. A torn 6/10.

#4 - It Should Be Easy feat. Will.I.Am

Hold my hair please! I hate that everyone needs to work with Will.I.Am. I hate his sound, it is so damn signature like and so damn generic. The song starts off nicely, but in the end is just a rip off of Work Bitch and "Scream And Shout" mixed. The use of autotune to make it electronic might be interesting, but my ears are actually hurting after the third listen of it. So 5/10 is nice, and would have been one less if it was not for some catchy parts of the song.

"Iconic Photographs" - She kissed a girl way before Katy sung about it!

Photos and photography are a part of how we keep memories and important moments in our life. With pictures we keep things from our past and preserve what we love. History in progress often is documented with photographs, some of these photographs have gone around the world and reached an iconic status of themselves. And some photos capture more then what meets the eye. 

Last time a picture of Nirvana and RuPaul has been featured, as this time I will give you my thoughts on one of these magical pop culture moments that 00 kids will never forget, because we have seen them! When Britney and Christina Aguliera were on the peak of their careers and Madonna was the highest point of the pop triangle, you know these were the days without Nicki Minaj, Katy Perry and Lady Gaga, the VMA's were a platform for scandal! And hell was it scandalous when Madonna kissed Britney and Christina during her performance of "Like A Virgin". Man, that was a shocker But seriously. From todays position that was not that much of a shocker. It as controversial ten years ago since it was lesbianism and genderbending in one, but today it is a cold poof in the dust. But a rememberable one! FYI: What is funny is that the media really focuses on the kiss between Madonna and Britney, not so much between Madonna and Christina.

"Music Minute" - Our "Work Bitch" Britney is back ... bigger than ever!

Things have become quiet around pop princess and pop diva Britney Spears. But since the release of her new single Work Bitch" a few day ago Britney has kicked into over gear, and has made some huge announcements.

Well, lets start with her latest single "work Bitch" from her upcoming eighth studio album. The song is an EDM dance track that has been leaked one day before its release. - Stop the leaks! I mean "Roar", "Applause" and now "Work Bitch"? is there any pop song that has ben released on its original day and not leaked days or weeks earlier? - "Work Bitch" has one big, very big, critique point: It is rather speaking than singing and sounds a bit boring over wide distance. As well it seems a bit generic and overused to take turns on that "You better work!", because, bitch, that is RuPauls gig! Okay Gurrl!? But lets not pre judge and have a look at the lyrics and see what Brit wants people to work for, or rather says that they have to work for  them. These would be: a hot body, a Bugatti, a Maseratti, a Lamborgini, looking hot in a bikini, living fancy, living in a big mansion and partying in France. Isn't that what Britney does, or better what she represents? Fancy, glam and out of this world decadence? and bitch is right, you have to work for that shit! And that is what she does! She is probably working her ass of for a great body for her life as a pop star, singing everywhere and recording new music. But lets face it. the song lyrically seen is not Shakespeare and not even anywhere near great deep songs. It party, that is what it is. Overall: The song is a good EDM song. Nothing more but nothing less. And with that said I am sure that the album will not outdo "Blackout", which I consider the best Brit album up today. #SorryBoutIt So the song gets a good 7 on a scale of 1 to 10. 

Lets get to more news concerning Brit! She has announced that she will be having her own show at Vegas for the next two years (2014 - 2015) called "Pieces of Me". The deal she signed will get her 30 Million $ in whole for doing 50 shows at the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. The diva has announced that it will be a mixture of her greatest hits and will include glimpses of her coming album. ticket prices range from around 50$ to 200$. The hotel has announced the show with "The Residency begins" and Brit should be very honored to be doing such shows since she is now up there with Cher, Bette Midler,  Celine Dion and Elton John who also did such Vegas residencies. The announcement was completed by Britney arriving in a helicopter in a gorgeous black body suit that was cut down up to her belly button and was very revealing. 

BUT: We all know that the shows will be lipsyncing at its finest and only bits of live singing. But it for sure will be an epic show. And if i would be there: I so would go and see it, because Britney is one of these Divas that really embody Americas entertainment industry: fake, beautiful, overly perfect, staged and marvelous. For me Brit is the most constructed pop singer ever, but also one to watch!

Music -You better not listen to that- Minute - Britney Spears "Ooh La La"

Okay you all know that I normally just write positive stuff, but I have to say that unfortunately, if something is not that good, or if I just don't really like it, I can not write that it is good. And sadly Britney's new song "Ooh    La La" to my ears was more like "Ooh No No - you better stop listening!".

Picture belongs to RCA Records.

Not that I am a Brit-basher, I love me some Britney! - but that song just reminded me of some cheesy badly produced song, with lyrics that were underwhelming! I was disappointed because I really waned Brit to release some cool new song which I could really listen all day long. But honestly "Ooh La La" for me sounded like a cheap and boring mixture of what was left over from her songs from Femme Fatale! And I mean the techno-whatever breakdown somewhere towards the last third of the song made it even more annoying. I'm sorry but I would give this song some rating in between 1 and 2 stars. I mean its not 0 stars since the overall production is okay, but its not 2 stars since even the lyrics were boring and, for me, did not express anything. 

For me Brit should stop getting some hip producers and DJ's and start to engage in some songwriting activities and do some maturing in her musical style. It's time! And when she did that: Believe me I will celebrate her again! The good thing about all that is that it is "just" the song for the credits of "The Smurfs 2".