Music Details
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Blackout (by Britney Spears, Pop)

common sense media says

A lot of steamy innuendo and heavy breathing.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Britney Spears manages, once again, to come across as explicitly sexual in a dozen tracks devoted to self-absorption. Lyrics stick solidly in the "I'm hot and you better want me" territory, with lines like "If I get on top you're gonna lose your mind" or "Can you rise to the occasion? I'm patiently waiting/'cause it's getting late and I can't get enough/So let me get it up" -- as the pop star tries to bump and grind her way into both our hearts and our trousers.

Positive messages: Brit's single-minded interest in sexual pursuit and attraction seems a tad myopic.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Steamy innuendo about getting naked, showing off your sexy body, and encouraging a guy to "rise to the occasion" with simpering flirtiness and lots of heavy breathing.
Language: The "f" word is used once or twice. "Bitch" opens the album.
Consumerism: No obvious product placement (CD packaging not available for review).
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: A couple of instances of "buying a bottle."

More on Blackout

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the media's obsession with Britney Spears and celebrities in general. Why do magazines, TV shows, and online gossip sites make what Britney does the top story? Do you think that the media's focus on every move these celebs make is causing them to act out more? Is it too much pressure to be scrutinized? Families can also talk about the power of sexual attraction, and how lust really can wipe all other concerns out of your mind. Can you figure out some ways to enjoy being attractive and noticing others' attractiveness while staying grounded enough to be a person with a variety of interests?

What's the story?

What's the story?
With her signature four-note range and over-processed baby-girl vocals, Britney Spears is determined to let us know how sexy she is -- over and over again. Fact is, the actual lyrics as written aren't quite as steamy as they sound in Britney's naughty little mouth. It's her delivery that's more raunchy than the songs themselves -- though there's plenty of innuendo, with lines like "I can feel you on my lips/I can feel you deep inside." You won't find any deep-thinking social commentary on BLACKOUT, and that would be okay if there were some real fun or artistry involved, or even a little genuine sexiness.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
The CD is all about stunningly repetitive lyrics (mixed over monotonous synthesized tracks) about predatory sexual pursuit and the annoying side effects of fame. If it's really true, as the artist claims, that "I'm Miss bad media karma/another day another drama," then the only thing more tedious than listening to Britney Spears is actually being her.

If Blackout is too much, the hit single "Gimme More" might be just enough.

Music themes & details

Music Details
Released on: October 30, 2007
Label: Jive Records
Genre: Pop
Parental advisory: Yes
Edited version available: Yes

This review was written by Kathi Kamen Goldmark
 
 

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What parents & educators say

12

Most useful reviews by all members

vklash
adult
 
Should Be On For 17
It has gotten two uses of strong language which are actually bleeped out (the BBFC's bad language label). It uses mostly some mild language. They would label it as occasional mild for sexual content and infrequent strong for language. It would for them be on for 12 if it was their site. That's my opinion. Great Album though!

 
BRIT ROX
I really don't care what people think about Britney Spears. I believe that it is the public that destroyed her. She has a great voice and some people just can't face it that she is and will always be the princess of pop music. This is a great CD die hard Britney fans: BUY THIS you won't be disapointed.

 
Fun album but not for the kids
The album is enjoyable and really fun but not for kids. it has so much sex.

bethlovesmaltese
teen, 17 years old
 
i lost all my brain cells watching this
i wish brittany would get it together and go to church.

PYEsinc
teen, 14 years old
 
Not for anyone under age 12
Britney's favorite term is "sex", and one song is called "Get Naked (I Got a Plan)". Also, "Gimme More" begins with a muffled Britney voice saying "it's Britney, b__ch", and one song says "I'm a crazy motherf__ker".

 
Look Out, Parents!
Don't buy this for your kids! Parents, you won't want to hear this album blaring from your kids stereo systems. Lots of sex involved here.

jack august
kid, 12 years old
 
good
i like her music. but none of them are as good as circus. that cd rocks. but with some of the songs i feel a little uncomfortable so i go to the next one.

andrijanemes
parent of 10 and 10 year old
 
Myzik
10

 
SHE'S BACK!!!!!!!!
Britney is back all i can say is get this cd it is amazing!!!!!!!! Nice job Britney!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NanaT
adult
 
What can I say
I don't want my kids to see her, hear about her, or "look up to her".

raiseupthestakes
teen, 17 years old
 
britney goes electronic: not for youngsters
britney takes the pole. b**ch opens up the album and language like pissin me off and f--k is used a couple times. Sex is a huge issuse if you buy this CD. Gimme More has a lot of sexual dialouge throughout the song. Many other songs have pervasive heavy breathing and the electro beats are sexual in a few of the songs. In the music video for gimme morebritney is in a strip club and is stripping and dancing very sexually like every stripper does. Drinking in the video is used. Britney is back and behaves very sexually, unlike she would in her other albums. At the Video Music Awards she is filled with sex with gimme more dressing very skinpy. Kids that are 14 and older should get this CD. It is very enjoyable to listen if you are a teen.

jenna92
adult
 
A Waste of Money and Brain Cells
This CD is probably equivalent to an adult porn movie. Everything is about sex, sex, and more sex. I wouldn't recommend it to kids or adults. This album is a great example of what our music industry has become: a money-focused industry that uses the exploitation of women and the glamour of drugs, sex and money to entice and even young children. Is this right?

Bila
teen, 16 years old
 
Brit we don't want any more
Brit's comeback is awful. It's just about the same old topics she likes to talk about. Sex and how hot she is. Plus, she has no talent. You're wasting you're money by buying this. Aren't I right?

Razzberri
teen, 14 years old
 
Sexed Up Sugar in A Bottle
Britney's new album seems like a blur. More like dream. You can't remember what you heard, but that's why you love it.

John-SF
adult
 
It's Britney B*tch!
The CD is amazing and she actually seems to sing on some of the songs. This is probably Brit Brit's best cd. Piece of Me and Heaven on Earth are really good dance songs. Gimme More is repetitive like the Common Sense Review states, but still good. My 13 year old neice loves the cd and is a mature 13 year old & realizes some of it is over the top. Wouldn't recommend it to kids that aren't that mature. Although, I disagree with Kathi Goldmark--a kid's alternative won't be found in Aretha.

cat_freakout
teen, 17 years old
 
Good Tunes, Bad Messages
Blackout is a good CD. It has catchy tunes, but the messages are all about the same things over and over, how hot and sexy Britney is. For parents, "Get Naked (I Got A Plan)" really is as bad as it gets. The other songs are somewhat suggestive but I think "Get Naked" tops it all. If you want some catchy tunes, buy Blackout, if you're concerned about the suggestiveness of the CD, don't buy it. Really know your kid before you buy it or just listen to it.

thedutchess
teen, 17 years old
 
MY FAVORITE CD EVER!!! OFFICALLY!!!!
Sexual Content: "Get naked" is as bad as it gets. Violence: Not an issue. Language: Just a few a--es and one b--ch. Not an issue. The rest is all clean!!! This album is awesome!!! For sure get Gimme More, Piece Of Me, Radar, Break the Ice, Get Naked, Freakshow, Toy Soldier, Hot As Ice, and Perfect Lover!!! They are the best I think!!!

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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