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Posted by: Jonjo Oct 19 2017, 01:50 AM

25.10.2007

10 Years Since 'Blackout' was Released.

That's right. It's almost been a Decade since the album of a generation was birthed. So I thought, lets celebrate it and as members of the forum, lets delve deeper into the album that's shaped her legacy and has often been said to be one of the defining pop albums of all time.

It came at the darkest time of her career, but she delievered an iconic album.

The single 'Gimme More' & 'Piece Of Me' have gone on to be huge fan favourites, with 'Break The Ice' gaining a huge cult-like following.

So join us as we review each track off the album (2 tracks a day - leading us to the anniversary) in this thread! This thread is designed for everyone to give their own opinions on the songs, not just the mods, so please feel free to tell us what you think about each track after we have posted! Lets celebrate the 10th anniversary of arguably the best album of her (or anyone elses) career.

Posted by: Jonjo Oct 19 2017, 02:01 AM

01.

GIMME MORE [Single 1]



Gimme More ended up giving us the iconic catchphrase "IT'S BRITNEY BITCH!" And ended up solidifying her as one of the greatest pop icons of all time. Not only that, but 'Gimme More' was a massive club smash and ended up becoming one of her signature hits. It was a classic Britney style reinvention. We were not ready for the dark and grungy Urban path that she gave us, but my GOD are we happy she did! As soon as that opening line starts and moves into that dirty bassline, you are immediately hooked in. Not only does Danja give us that iconic opening, but he also gives us an epic ending as he refers to Britney as "The Legendary Ms. Britney Spears" and he's most certainly not wrong.

Posted by: Jonjo Oct 19 2017, 02:11 AM

02.

PIECE OF ME [Single 2]



Track 2, coincidentally, became the 2nd single. 'Piece Of Me' always stood out to me as the immediate highlight off the album and made the most sense to be the next single after 'Gimme More'. It was quite clearly made to be the big, commercial hit from the album as it felt a lot poppier and a lot more commericially accessible, I felt. It went on to be an absolute monster of a hit, not that GM wasn't, but this definitely felt like the bigger hit of the two at the time. The production, although a bit "lighter" didn't really feel out of place amongst the grittier and edgier Urban leaning songs, which is quite a feat in itself imo. It made the album feel just as cohesive with it, as it would have done wirhout it. It is a bit of an erratic production, with what can only be described as glass shattering, making up most of the song. This is definitely one of the more "fun" tracks on the album as it takes aim at the paparazzi, who clearly wanted a piece if her after her very high profile, public breakdown earlier that year! Moral of this story, basically don't f*** with Britney.

Posted by: Jay ☆ Oct 19 2017, 10:33 AM

I can't believe it's been 10 years already! The excitement I felt when this album came out was immense, given how long it'd been since In the Zone. And what an album Blackout is! Most definitely my favourite Britney album. It's so interesting and immersive, and still sounds fresh/exciting after all this time, imo. A pop classic for sure.

The first two singles were wise choices. Love the iconic lines in Gimme More, and absolutely one of her best moments. Piece of Me's lyrics taking aim at the media are really clever/catchy - such a fun track.

This is all in rather stark contrast to how awful her personal life was at the time - that's one element of that era I certainly don't miss. I really feared for her.

Really looking forward to the rest of the thread!

Posted by: Tyler Oct 19 2017, 04:25 PM

I cannot this album was such a positive force for me. It was my COMING OUT album in rural Georgia. The unapologetic nature of such a passive and sweet woman finally saying f*** y’all! This is me.

It’s Britney Bitch. Deal with it. I’m gay. So what, you want a piece of me? This album was the cement to the sentiment that Britney truly saved my life... by simply persevering and dominating in a dog eat dog world designed to tear her apart. Also, the album could be released next year and it would still sound experimental af.

Posted by: Tyler Oct 19 2017, 04:26 PM

Posted by: Tyler Oct 19 2017, 04:50 PM

ALSO THE INSTRUMENTAL FOR GIMME MORE REMAINS THE BEST INSTRUMENTAL OF ALL TIME.



AND IT BEING A STAPLE SONG ON GRAND THEFT AUTO. ICONIC.

Posted by: Jonjo Oct 19 2017, 10:06 PM

03.

RADAR



'Radar' was the next track on the album and was heavily rumoured to be the 4th and final single from the album, before the label decided to scrap that idea and record a new album altogether, ready for release by Q4 in 2008. Instant impressions seemed to be, that the fans desperately wanted this to be a single and it wasn't hard to see why. Amongst the 'Blackout' album it's absolutely fantastic and such an ear worm. But the label scrapped plans of this being a single in favour of the 'Circus' project and ended up having a messy legal fight with Bloodshy & Avant who were promised that it would be a single. So to compromise, it was added as a bonus track onto 'Circus' (where it felt really out of place) and was eventually released as the 4th single of that era instead. But this is a celebration of the 'Blackout' album and 'Radar' is such a fantastic song amongst that album.

Posted by: Jonjo Oct 19 2017, 10:21 PM

04.

BREAK THE ICE [Single 3]



Track 4 gives us 'Break The Ice'. A song in which people either seem to rate as one of her worst singles, or one of her absolute best tracks! The song was never an initial highlight for me and I'd have probably ranked it about half way down the album upon first impressions, it wasn't until it was made a single in which it really hit hard for me. The intro is one of the most iconic lines & intros in any Britney song ever. "It's been a while. I know I shouldn't have kept you waiting. But I'm here now." before smashing into pulsating, synths! Over the years it seems to have found a bit of a cult following on the internet, that seems to be getting bigger and bigger as the years go on. When it was announced as the 3rd single, I remember people were outraged that they weren't getting 'Radar' or 'Toy Soldier', so I can only think it had the same effect on people as it did with me (not hitting them until it was made a single etc...) but one things for sure, this is well inside my top 5 of the album now. Such a fantastic, hook driven song.

Posted by: OutstandingMixer Oct 19 2017, 10:53 PM

QUOTE(Tyler @ Oct 19 2017, 05:25 PM)

Posted by: Tyler Oct 19 2017, 11:19 PM

Aw, I had almost forgot that Seinfeld existed.

So close.

Posted by: OutstandingMixer Oct 20 2017, 01:25 AM

QUOTE(Tyler @ Oct 20 2017, 12:19 AM)

Posted by: Tyler Oct 20 2017, 03:28 AM

Lmao I’m just kidding. The f***ing music pisses me off but it’s a good show.

Posted by: OutstandingMixer Oct 20 2017, 10:47 AM

QUOTE(Tyler @ Oct 20 2017, 04:28 AM)

Posted by: THEO. Oct 20 2017, 11:36 AM

I think "Piece of Me" was the moment that I became a die hard Britney fan, which lasted until ~ "Work Bitch". Such an iconic song and video and a theme that really hit close to home after what she'd been through in 2007. I prefer "Gimme More" now but for some years that was my favourite Britney song and amongst my all time favourite songs.

I didn't heard the 'Blackout' album until after 'Circus' was released so never really got "Radar", and let's not discuss that video. I don't go back to it at all or "Break the Ice" but I do enjoy that still.

Posted by: Jonjo Oct 20 2017, 11:52 PM

05.

HEAVEN ON EARTH



Up next is the ultra smooth, ultra sexy and ultra classy, 'Heaven On Earth'. I always see it as the sister to 'Breathe On Me' in the fact that it has dreamy production and airy vocals! I'm not really sure where the fans stand with it tbh, I think on any normal album, it'd be considered a huge highlight, but on an album as strong as 'Blackout' I feel like it gets lost amongst the singles and certain other highlights on the album ('Toy Soldier', 'Get Naked', 'Hot As Ice' etc..) but I find myself really loving this a lot whenever I listen to it. The production is stunning and the vocal editing is lush.the only issue I have is the way it ends.. it seems really random and feels like it should mix into the next track, but doesn't Gorgeous song though, that I feel deserves more love.

Posted by: Jonjo Oct 21 2017, 12:03 AM

06.

GET NAKED (I GOT A PLAN)



'Get Naked (I Got A Plan)' is the next track up and is one of the more unique tracks on the album. The thing I find the most thrilling on here, is the production. Danja really has a way of utilising Britney's vocals with grungy, dirty beats and getting them to work perfectly! However, the thing that makes this stand out the most on the album, is Danja's guest vocals on not only background vocals throughout, but he takes the lead on the chorus and he really adds to the track! One other notable thing is Britney's ad-libs on the bridge! So much passion in her delivery. Everything about this track is phenomenally well executed I feel! Definitely one of the hughest moments on this ground breaking album!

Posted by: Tyler Oct 21 2017, 12:07 AM

HOE is such an important piece to the album. It’s mellow and euphoric production along with her cooed vocals let you appreciate the true grit of the overall album. It’s probably one of my lesser faves on the piece and it’s still a solid 10/10 in my book.

Posted by: Slick Oct 21 2017, 11:20 PM

An iconic electropop album which changed the landscape of pop. Truly visionary.

(#stan)

Posted by: Jonjo Oct 22 2017, 07:41 AM

07.

FREAKSHOW



Track 7 and we see the funnest track on the album, 'Freakshow'. This track is the one in which you can tell Brit had a lot of fun recording! So fun that it's gone down as one of the highlights (if not THE highlight) of her Piece Of Me setlist in Las Vegas. It sees a member of the audience get called up on stage for a bit of fun and Brit commands them around on stage, like a sex slave of sorts. Not only is it one of the more fun numbers on the album, but it's one of the more interesting tracks in general. I still feel like this is one of the most unique tracks I've heard in a while. The wobbly bassline is what really stands out in the production and the verses are so slick! I'm not sure if it'd have been a hit if it was released as a single, but it would've been a really interesting choice!

Posted by: Sonia Fowler Oct 22 2017, 11:34 AM

Radar should have been the 4th single from Blackout and not Circus or Hot As Ice should have been

Posted by: Euphorique Oct 22 2017, 02:56 PM

I feel old. I remember hearing the demos when they leaked and getting super excited for Radar! Had no idea how things would turn out...

Such exciting times to be a Britney stan. For some reason its just not the same feeling when your fav has 0 chance of having a hit these days. Back then there was a bigger reason to be excited cause watching the charts was such a thrill

Get Naked and Piece Of Me are the highlights for me. The album is still an electropop masterpiece, but from the late 00s era, I prefer the Circus album, unpopular opinion I know. However Blackout gets more credit for changing the pop music scene to a more electro gritty sound, while Circus is just a great album. I know Rihanna and Chris Brown get a lot of credit for changing the music landscape in 2007 with stuff like Dont Stop The Music and Forever, basically burying R&B and moving pop towards the electro sound, but people forget Britney's impact that same year for doing it too.

Posted by: Jonjo Oct 22 2017, 08:55 PM

08.

TOY SOLDIER



Now it's time for a fan favourite 'Toy Soldier'. The single that never was. The opening line kinda suggested it was made for radio "Yeah, smash on the radio, bet I penned it" so I'm really surprised as to why it wasn't a single tbh. That beat is really incredible. I love the marching drum beat over a current and on trend beat. It was done very well! Britney seems to have a lot of fun on this track too! Managing to make "peek a boo" work within the context of a song and not making it sound cheesy, corny or out of place. The timing and delivery of her vocals on this are so fierce! It really would have worked had it been a single!

Posted by: Jonjo Oct 24 2017, 10:05 AM

09.

HOT AS ICE



Next is my personal favourite song on the album behind GM... 'Hot As Ice'. I believe this to be up there as one of her most fierce and feistiest (?) tracks! She puts so much attitude and power into the verses of this track. It's actually slightly reminiscent of her delivery on 'Do Somethin''. Again this seemed to be another that was purposefully tailor made for radio as it's one of the more commercial sounding tracks on the album and I think it would've worked just as well as a single as her other singles from the era did. It's also responsible for giving us yet another iconic line suited only for our Brit... "living legend you can look but don't touch"... ICONIC.

Posted by: Jonjo Oct 24 2017, 10:14 AM

10.

OOH OOH BABY



Up next is a rather more experimental track, with production that sounds like it was slightly influenced by Bhangra of some sorts or something, 'Ooh Ooh Baby' is one of the catchiest songs on the album. The hook especially worms it's way into your brain and you're going to have a hard time getting rid of it from your mind! So much flavour to this production. It's infectious and gets you dancing to it!

Posted by: Jonjo Oct 24 2017, 07:02 PM

11.

PERFECT LOVER



Next we have probably my least favourite on the album, 'Perfect Lover'. It's a great song. Amongst 'Blackout' though, it's really not the best! The chorus is lush though, especially the way she sings the chorus (particularly the line which includes the title of the song *.*) such a great moment. I'm really not sure where this stands with people. I imagine it's a very "like but don't love" sort of track, except for our own Cremey who iirc really loves this! Haha. A great track, which suffers only coz the rest of the album is better!

Posted by: Jonjo Oct 24 2017, 10:15 PM

12.

WHY SHOULD I BE SAD?



The last track on the standard album is 'Why Should I Be Sad?'. A song that I find ridiculously under appreciated! A lot of people tend to class this as their least fave from the album, which is not an easy feat, but still. I feel that this is by far, the most personal song Britney has ever recorded and written. I love how it would be the big ballad on one of her poppier albums, but here, it stays true to the theme of 'Blackout' and feels more like a celebratory track in that she finally did it. She made it to this album. She made it through 2007. Such a beautiful song that really deserves more love!

Posted by: Cremey Oct 24 2017, 11:10 PM

Haha you certainly do remember correctly, Jon! Absolutely ADORE ‘Perfect Lover’, definitely in my top 10 all-time favourite Britney songs. Everything about it is so perfect. And the ‘... I love it’ line is probably my favourite part of any Britney song.

What an incredible album as a whole as well. I’d probably have never listened to it if it wasn’t for this forum, so thank you! One of my absolute favourites and such a go-to album for so many moods.

Top 3:
01 Gimme More
02 Perfect Lover
03 Break the Ice

Posted by: Euphorique Oct 26 2017, 12:27 PM

01 Piece Of Me
02 Get Naked
03 Break The Ice
04 Toy Soldier
05 Radar

I think this would be my top5 right now

Posted by: Regina Apr 26 2018, 02:18 PM

Okay but Get Back tho.

Posted by: No Sleeep Apr 26 2018, 07:04 PM

QUOTE(Jonjo @ Oct 21 2017, 12:52 AM)

05.

HEAVEN ON EARTH



Up next is the ultra smooth, ultra sexy and ultra classy, 'Heaven On Earth'. I always see it as the sister to 'Breathe On Me' in the fact that it has dreamy production and airy vocals! I'm not really sure where the fans stand with it tbh, I think on any normal album, it'd be considered a huge highlight, but on an album as strong as 'Blackout' I feel like it gets lost amongst the singles and certain other highlights on the album ('Toy Soldier', 'Get Naked', 'Hot As Ice' etc..) but I find myself really loving this a lot whenever I listen to it. The production is stunning and the vocal editing is lush.the only issue I have is the way it ends.. it seems really random and feels like it should mix into the next track, but doesn't Gorgeous song though, that I feel deserves more love.

Posted by: rafik4u May 1 2018, 11:19 AM

Perfect Lover is the highlight of the album for me. It should have been the third single and would have worked well on Urban radios. No one can deny Gimme More impact and quality though.

1. Gimme More
2. Perfect Lover
3. Piece of Me

Posted by: JuanXito Jun 1 2018, 12:36 PM

"Perfect Lover", is fire, that song is perfect