Breakout, Blackout, Etc.

I've been listening to the new Britney Spears album this weekend. Where should I start? How about the fact that I've never owned or listened to any of her previous albums. Not even on a guilty pleasure level.

Musically, she has always been on my shit list, mostly because her singles are usually pretty mundane, especially compared to her two main contemporaries (Timberlake and Aguilera) who seem to have a genuine interest in broadening their musical scope. I know just as much about her as every other pop culture enthusiast.

I liked the first single, "Gimme More." Despite all the shit that's reported about her, I've always wanted to give her the benefit of the doubt, mostly because of my skeptical view on entertainment news media. Even Billy Joe is backing her up! I was going to get it the week it came out, but I passed after listening to this ridiculous interview the day after it dropped.

I got it this weekend (Virgin Records, San Francisco, $12.99) after listening to a few tracks online and really enjoying what I heard.

Blackout is a very unique and pleasing electro pop album full of singles with great hooks and a sound that's thankfully not outdated. The producers, from Bloodshy & Avant to T-Pain and Nate "Danja" Hills, were rumored to have saved their hottest tracks for her and described her as being professional in the studio.

It means a lot that some of the biggest producers in pop came together to save this woman's career, and to obviously rely on her to promote their own talents. For once, it is about the music, and the songs are really outstanding.

My favorite tracks by far are "Break The Ice," "Freakshow" and "Radar" -- all of which can become huge hits for her. It took a few years to put this together and with the tight 12-track selection (and a handful of equally amazing unreleased tracks floating around), you can tell everyone gave their all, at least in the studio, to put these songs together.

Listen to "Sugarfall," an unreleased song and possible Neptunes production that was not included on Blackout. It's slightly less upbeat than everything else on the album, which is my guess why it wasn't included, but the hook is terrific. There must be dozens of studio gems like this that were ditched in favor of the 12. She was not lazy during the production of this album.

Back to the KIIS-FM interview, it's really awful that she's not promoting what could be her breakout album, an album that could attract the same Misshapes hipsters who restored Madonna's supremacy during Confessions On A Dance Floor. You got Robyn doing backup up "Piece of Me," a "Konichiwa Bitches"/"Hollaback Girl"-style rap on "Freakshow," and production not unlike The Knife's Deep Cuts.

Unfortunately, the cover art and typography is ugly. The photos inside are depressing. There are no acknowledgements or thank yous. 'B. Spears' is only on two song credits, plus an executive producer credit. Her voice is extremely processed. Her website isn't updated, which is shocking for an artist of this stature.

In some way, the album experience is a downer, like listening to Nirvana's Unplugged, only because it feels like the person singing doesn't exist anymore. The songs aren't given the momentum they deserve.

In any case, she's alive and they music really is good. Plus, she's at the age Madonna was at the start of her career. Maybe she'll be this generation's freaky Michael Jackson or troubled Judy Garland .. or ________________?

I'm Tired of Using Technology

I wonder if Justin Timberlake is going to be one of those instantly recognizable voices in American pop music that will make fans purchase anything he sings on.

What was once a voice that was so deliberately borrowed from Michael Jackson is now the superlative for white boy soul.

There's no doubt Jackson's music will live forever. But even if he's appreciated in new hip-hop and soul (i.e., Rihanna's "Don't Stop The Music", Kanye West's "Good Life"), it's a faded memory of greatness, which makes us grasp Timerblake even tighter for being so young, prolific, alive and talented.

I like Timberlake a lot, and FutureSex/LoveSounds was an addictive surprise for me last year. He's working with everyone right now: Madonna, Duran Duran, and most recently, 50 Cent.

When you hear Timberlake's voice come in on 50 Cent's "Ayo Technology," you get a little bit of the goosebumps you would get hearing Michael Jackson on Diana Ross's "Eaten Alive."

The trouble with the "Ayo Technology" video, however, is Timberlake looks like a freakin' dwarf compared to the masculine man meat that is 50 Cent. Timberlake, who can often walk on air in music videos, looks uncomfortable bouncing in the background. I can't put my finger on it, but even 50 Cent looks a bit self-conscious -- maybe because it's his big pop song and he has only 1/3 of the rapping duties?

Timberland, wise as always, was able to keep his guest appearance outside from these two with a neat Minority Report scene. JT should have kept the collaboration in the studio and away from the music video.

The song itself is pretty good. It's trashy and familiar ("My Love," anyone?), and no big surprise why it doesn't stand a chance against Kanye's "Stronger."

I must add, 50, Timberlake and Timberland look like they're having a blast performing it live at the VMA's.

Workin' On My Fitness

I joined a gym last October, which was sort of a big deal for me. Oh the anxieties .. body identity, looking puny to all the regulars, not knowing how to use the machines, and on and on. But I still felt it was good time to start living healthy.

I started simple with cardio, and then weightlifting, and then organizing some schedule between both. I guess the motivation at the beginning was 75% cosmetic, 25% health, but now it's become such a routine, I don't really have a focused goal. Overall, it's had a good effect on my well-being.

When I began, I didn't know how to integrate music into the gym lifestyle. I didn't want to burn calories listening to awful house music on my iPod like most folks at my gym.

It's interesting -- they say the iPod has changed the way people listen to music, but I think going to the gym has changed the way I listen to music more than the device itself.

At first I didn't bring my iPod because I didn't mind what the gym sound system was playing. From Kelis's "Bossy" to Bloc Party's "Banquet," it was all good .. except for Neneh Cherry's "Buffalo Stance," which they still play as some sort of hip nostalgic radio staple.

After about two or three weeks, I realized the same songs were playing again and again, and I guessed this had something to do with music licensing. That's when I started to bring my iPod.

For a good 20 minute run on the treadmill, I started with some pop music. I had a period of running to Beyonce's B'Day , and then for a good 2 months to Justin Timberlake's FutureSex/LoveSounds. More recently, it was Of Montreal's Hissing Fauna, Are You The Destroyer? and Clipse's Hell Hath No Fury. With the Of Montreal album, nothing is quite as encouraging as Kevin Barnes singing "I'm in a crisis" on "Heimdalsgate Like a Promethean Curse."

For high-speed runs in the 10-15 minute range, I have a special playlist. It's usually very remix-oriented and dance friendly. Sometime it can be a little outrageous, sometimes it makes me laugh, but I never allow it to be monotonous.

It's usually music from various blogs that are introducing new artists and act as a taste-tester if I want to checkout the album when it comes out or buy it if it's already out.

Here are some of my recent favorites (not in sequential order):

Cut Copy, "Hearts on Fire (Joakim Remix)" (via iPop)
This remix takes me on the Star Trac treadmill from 4.0 to 6.8 to 7.5 in a matter of minutes. I know I said I don't really do the house thing, but this has so many familiar melodic elements. Cut Copy have a FabricLive album coming out, which I will definitely check out. Hear the original "Hearts on Fire" on their MySpace.

Kid Sister, "Damn Girl" (via Pitchforkmedia)
Holy Moses! She's cute, has a sassy Chicago accent and uses "percolate" like some common verb. The Too $hort sample from "Bossy" is simply effortless, and I love the swift production. I heard "Control" on her MySpace site -- I'm getting this shit on vinyl, but you can also find it on iTunes. I'll be writing more about her soon.

M.I.A., "Bird Flu (Diplo Remix)" (via I Guess I'm Floating)
To be honest, "Bird Flu" kind of creeped me out when I first saw the video. This Diplo remix transforms it from its voodoo weirdness to a sacrificial singalong to King Kong.

Rihanna, "Lemme Get That" (via FluxBlog)
Should I buy her album? This song is really hot, but I still haven't been able to understand Rihanna's appeal. She just looks and sounds so young and her star status seems so forced. I'm not a fan of "Umbrella." If the next single is good, I'll check it out.

There's about a dozen more. I figure I can report new favorites in a few weeks. Ultimately, going to the gym has had a great impact on my appreciation for the remix or dance single. Never before would I have actively hunted for hot tracks for the sole purpose of staying fit. Cardio days have become the days I look forward to. They're my run-to-the-beat days. Whatever works, I guess.