Britney Spears Blackout

As literal as CD titles can be lately, it seems to be all about the packaging of a theme. From P!nk’s new CD “Funhouse” to Rihanna’s “Good Girl Gone Bad,” having a niche to bank your “look” on is all the better. With Brit Brit’s new music-box-big-top sound, I get the feeling that we’re not only getting a CD entitled “Circus” but we should soon expect a three-ringed infused concert tour (which she announced will be starting spring of 2009, of which Wade Robson will choreograph), tons of clown painted merchandise and maybe even a video of this girl-nominon tight-rope walking her way right into the bank.

So, since there is a major theme going on so I figured I’ll stick to it. So here is a rundown of the 13 core tracks on her new release and 2 bonus tracks included on the US Deluxe Edition. Along with what act I think they would accompany in a “Circus” and even a rating … three rings being the best, of course.

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This first song, and first single, is obviously en point for a reason. The sirens and snaps remind me of jumping ladies hopping on each other’s shoulders, and slowly forming a huge human pyramid of fierceness. Like the famous Paldrens sisters in 1915’s Barnum & Bailey Greatest Show on Earth, balancing on burning lamps, this song is a heat flame of repetitiveness, but a great place to start the show.

The ringmaster presents performers, speaks to the audience, and generally keeps the show moving, a lot like this track. It sets the tone of the album, letting me know I’m getting prepped for an up-tempo, popcorn snack. The activity of the circus takes place within a ring; large circuses may have multiple rings, like the six-ringed Moscow State Circus. This one has 13.

This part of the circus where many take a bathroom break, but the ones in the audience that seek a story, with emotion and heart, stay seated. Joining the ballerinas are large umbrellas of strings and bubbles full of harmonies. This track pays homage to Britney’s roots, even if they are a bit dark and tattered.

As far back as the early 18th century, exotic animals were transported to North America for display, and menageries were a popular form of entertainment. For Britney, she started with a snake, and now it’s getting bigger and better. This song is a club banger at its best, and with a chorus that makes the audience want to join in, this will bring the big top on its feet.

This track flies without a net, just like the Flying Wallendas, an internationally known daredevil circus act famous for performing death-defying stunts without a safety net. Swinging all over the map when it comes to pop music, pulling from electronica, ’80s punk and hip-hop, this song takes chances that pay off.

A goofy take on pop, but this may be one of my favorites. Clowns are common to most circuses and are typically skilled in many circus acts; “clowns getting into the act” is a very familiar theme in any circus. In this case, Amy gets into the act of boys and girls alike … being the object of all’s affection, just like a clown… me likey!

With a simple chair, a whip and a back beat, this lion tamer of a song may just be the glue that holds this show together. This song takes chances I’m not used to hearing from Britney. Lyrical sounds and a Kylie feel that isn’t too forced. Lion-taming is also used to enable less dangerous feeding and to soothe the lion’s demeanor, looks like she is on the right track, sorta.

Aerial silk, or ribbon dancing, is when a performer climbs a suspended piece of fabric without the use of safety lines, and relies only on their training and skill to ensure safety. We all know Ms. Spears isn’t the most talented singer in the world, but given the center ring with this song she does best with the training she has, to bring the audience into suspense and maybe a little bit of disbelief.

Despite the expression, “It’s all done with smoke and mirrors,” used to explain something baffling, effects are seldom achieved using mirrors today, due to the amount of work needed to install it and difficulties in transport (thank God that is only when it comes to real magic.) With this song, the smoke and mirrors are in full effect, it’s pure studio magic, no talent by Brit’s end needed. She squeals and cutsies her may through this song in a ridiculous way, but why do I like it?

This song is a complete side-show, a filler if you will … alot like the Doll Family. The Doll’s were a group of four midget siblings from Germany who were popular performers in circuses and sideshows in the United States from the 1920s until their retirement in the mid 1950s. Needless to say this song falls short, no pun intended.

Holy Madonna copying crap-chute! This song literally sounds like Madge may have been in the studio the day of recording. Acting like a huge phenomi-artist like Madonna is a lot like Sword Swallowing, an extremely dangerous life-threatening activity. Only a few dozen are actively performing professionals, with the remainder being either amateurs, injured or retired performers. We all know that in this case, which one Brit is.

Contortion is an unusual form of physical display which involves the dramatic bending and flexing of the human body. Many circus performers value this art as a true gift. With this song, the art isn’t in the flexing of her body, but more of the mood of the CD. This track seemed to sneak its way onto this CD, like squeezing one’s body into a small box which appears to be much too small for a person to fit in.

This is a song true Britney fans have had for a while, a release that dropped more than six months ago online and it’s sort of a cop out. Simliar to a flea circus, which refers to a circus sideshow attraction in which fleas are attached to miniature carts and other items, and encouraged to perform circus acts within a small housing. All the while being pull and pushed by small strings, sort of a 19th century ‘Punked.’

You know that uber-dangerous act, where five motorcycles ride together in one big metal ball at the same time … this song, is that exact feeling. Quick, hardcore, fast and kind-of intriguing. You want them to crash in a strange way, to see the carnage, but the fact that they are all so perfectly timed out makes you happier than the crashing itself.

This song starts simple, with focus and drive, but once the squeaky horn beat comes in, the game is on. It walks a thing wire, all the while being one of my favorite tracks. Typically, tight-wire performances will fall into one of two distinct types of acts - dance/movement or object manipulation, this act does both.

Source: NYPost.com
CREDIT: BritneySpearsBlackout.com