Well, Britney actually recorded the songs for "Blackout" a long time ago, and it probably doesn't feel like "too soon" to her. Also, she's beginning to look as if she's finally accepting the changes that had to be made in her life. It looks like she's a more willing participant in the "new, reborn Britney" project. For months she was scowling for the cameras, but now we often see her in a brighter mood.

In addition to THAT, we hear reports that both her Conservator dad and Larry Rudolph believe that to aid her lengthy process of psychological healing she needs to be kept busy, and to have the sense of structure created by a work program put back into her life. OK, she may just be laying down some tracks for fun, or to bank them for the future, but she probably needs some kind of target or timetable to give conviction and reality to the next year or so, and the release of a new album would provide that.

Personally, I can't see a new album being released at the end of this year, but some people are already talking up the head-to-heads it would create, and who would win them. A revitalised Whitney Houston has been mentioned, for example. Another is Britney's traditional supposed-rival Christina Aguilera, and some have been so rash as to assume that Xtina would automatically whip Britney's ass.

But why? It's not as if Britney would fail to get marching on the promotion trail this time around. The regulation answer is always that Xtina has "credibility". I'm not so sure how much that's worth when you unpack the concept. Indeed, I think that in many people's eyes Aguilera actually lost some credibility with her last album. It was like she had become a jobbing singer rather than a "conviction" artist, and wasn't too sure where to go with her music.

But, in any case, countless musicians have "credibility" if they make their music to a high standard, have their distinctive styles and uniqueness, and retain their fans. What annoys me is the suggestion that Britney - who has those attributes in spades - somehow lacks credibility. Those who make this suggestion may be confusing a chaotic life with a creatively invalid one - and a look at music history shows how dumb THAT is. Many great artists have had lives that were a mess.

What intrigues me is that the UK tabloids that take such joy in making fun of Britney's life are the same ones who rate her highly as an artist. The Sun's Victoria Newton has called her "one of our brightest and best stars" and The Daily Star's Joe Mott has reported enthusiastically on all her new releases since 2003. Meanwhile, turning to the "quality" newspapers, the Observer/Guardian has never written a bad review of her music, and has compared her favorably with her peers, including Kylie, Beyonce AND Xtina.

But what is particularly telling is that, in its revelations about this alleged new Britney album, The Sun had no problem in reporting that Britney was "on fire" in the studio. You don't say that kind of thing about lightweight artists, or about those who have no credibility.

Comments (3)

...
written by Stardom, May 14, 2008

Indeed, I think that in many people's eyes Aguilera actually lost some credibility with her last album. It was like she had become a jobbing singer rather than a "conviction" artist, and wasn't too sure where to go with her music.

You've got to be kidding me. Everyone treats Xtina like the golden child of pop. Every man and his dog was orgasming over that album, spewing on and on about how "real" and talented' she apparently is. I can't stand her but the rest of the world can, trust me.

What annoys me is the suggestion that Britney - who has those attributes in spades - somehow lacks credibility.

Now THIS is how Christina wins the upper hand. She demands credibility whether it's deserved or not. If Britney wants cred, and she can easily get it, she needs to :

* Prove she can sing live and WELL

* Write more songs and contribute more in the studio

* Delve into other subjects rather than sex, men and partying.

* Release an album without a publicity stunt to back it up and with CLASSY photoshoots. People are sick to death of Sexual Britney. Why do you think Christina "cleaned up" after Stripped?

* Keep up the good work so far.

Of course, she doesn't need to do any of that for us fans, but to the public, she's just a washed up teen star trying desperately to hold onto any fame she has left.

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

...
written by Karen, May 19, 2008

I see that you're following the mindless sheep who assume that Britney lacks credibility as an artist despite all evidence to the contrary. The whole point of my blog was to show that (and why) she has credibility - but as usual you simply ignore what I've said. In a recent radio discussion, one of the UK's most respected commentators on music remarked that if pop music was to be revived, it would take an artist "of Britney Spears' stature" to make it happen. But I doubt that even this quality assurance is getting through to your seemingly impenetrable brain.

On the other points you decided to argue with - the reception for Xtina's last album wasn't especially enthusiastic, except among her fans. Most commentators felt that it lacked focus. It didn't perform particularly well in the charts. On the other hand, "Stripped" was received by many as a kind of personal testament - full of defiance and survivorism. Maybe that's a hand she can only play once. And as more and more loud-voiced ex-Pop Idol, ex-X-Factor singers arrive on the scene - like Leona Lewis - Xtina will become more and more irrelevant, while singers with uniquely appealing voices - like Britney - will always have a place.

Moving on, I don't see how you can say Xtina has "cleaned up". It's not so long since we saw her in a totally-naked "I wish I looked like Marilyn" photoshoot, which is something we've never seen from Britney. And the booklet with "Back to Basics" was full of pictures of her posing "seductively", sticking her ass out in the forlorn hope that somebody would believe it was rounded and sexy.

Britney has no need to become a navel-gazing, social-commentating, eco-aware super-serious protest-singer songwriter-producer to be a credible entertainer. There ARE other kinds of credible entertainer than that, and always have been, but you appear to have such a limited experience of music and entertainers in general that you simply have no idea about them.

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0

...
written by Stardom, May 21, 2008

Heh, it's funny because, if you could read, you would have picked up that I'm on your side and I agree with this article, just some of it you have a bit wrong.

I see that you're following the mindless sheep who assume that Britney lacks credibility as an artist despite all evidence to the contrary.

Yeah...which is why I said "Keep up the good work so far" and "she doesn't need to do any of that (prove herself) for her fans" - because I believe she lacks credibility...not...you don't pull in the big studio names she does continually when you don't have cred. I AGREE WITH YOU. Geez...

On the other points you decided to argue with - the reception for Xtina's last album wasn't especially enthusiastic, except among her fans. Most commentators felt that it lacked focus.

Check this out :

http://www.metacritic.com/music/artists/aguilerachristina/backtobasics

"Ultimately, Aguilera's the only one of her peers with the vocal prowess to pull it off."

"No doubt the album of her career."

"She's found herself artistically."

When has any critic ever been that kind towards Britney? Even Blackout's best reviews still had to get a cruel stab in there somewhere.

It didn't perform particularly well in the charts.

Neither did Britneys. Hardly anything does fantastic on the charts these days.

On the other hand, "Stripped" was received by many as a kind of personal testament - full of defiance and survivorism. Maybe that's a hand she can only play once.

It angered just as many people. I agree though.

And as more and more loud-voiced ex-Pop Idol, ex-X-Factor singers arrive on the scene - like Leona Lewis - Xtina will become more and more irrelevant, while singers with uniquely appealing voices - like Britney - will always have a place.

I agree here too. While many prefer Xtina over Britney, they always say Britney has that X Factor.

Moving on, I don't see how you can say Xtina has "cleaned up".

I was being sarcastic which is why I put the words in inverted commas. She's always been a tramp to me.

It's not so long since we saw her in a totally-naked "I wish I looked like Marilyn" photoshoot, which is something we've never seen from Britney.

Eh? We've never seen a naked Britney shoot? What was Bazaar? Invisible clothing? If you me the Marilyn thing, she's done that too for Esquire.

And the booklet with "Back to Basics" was full of pictures of her posing "seductively", sticking her ass out in the forlorn hope that somebody would believe it was rounded and sexy.

I know all of this. Britney isn't exactly innocent in this department either. Although she doesn't need to stick her ass out

Britney has no need to become a navel-gazing, social-commentating, eco-aware super-serious protest-singer songwriter-producer to be a credible entertainer. There ARE other kinds of credible entertainer than that, and always have been, but you appear to have such a limited experience of music and entertainers in general that you simply have no idea about them.

It's funny reading your response, picturing you thinking how I'm some knuckle dragging hater when, if you read anything without bias, you'd have realised I was agreeing with you just offering some other points and facts.

I don't EVER want Britney to become that kind of entertainer, and I don't believe any of those things were in my list.

report abuse

vote down

vote up

Votes: +0