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|Last album = ''[[B in the Mix: The Remixes]]''<br />(2005)
|Last album = ''[[B in the Mix: The Remixes]]''<br />(2005)
|This album = '''''Blackout'''''<br />(2007)
|This album = '''''Blackout'''''<br />(2007)
|Next album = TBA
|Next album =
{{Singles
{{Singles
|Name = Blackout
|Name = Blackout
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}}}}
}}}}


'''''Blackout''''' is the fifth [[studio album]] by [[United States|American]] [[pop music|pop]] singer [[Britney Spears]]. It was released on [[October 27]], [[2007]], in [[Australia]], [[October 29]], [[2007]], in the [[United Kingdom|UK]], and [[October 30]], [[2007]], worldwide. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry ([[IFPI]]), the album was number 32 in terms of units shipped worldwide by the end of 2007. The album has sold 887,000 copies in the [[United States]] up to August 2008.<ref>Cohen, Jonathan. [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003838689 "Britney: New, 'More Urban' Album Due In '09"]. ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''. [[August 13]] [[2008]].</ref> It was ranked at number 50 by ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine in its publication of the Top 50 albums of 2007. Additionally, as of June 2008, there have been 3.1 million digital downloads of the songs and remixes from the album.<ref>{{cite web | last=Caulfield | first=Keith | title=Ask Billboard | work=Billboard magazine | date=[[June 9]], [[2008]] | url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/ask_bb/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003813908 | accessdate=June 9| accessyear=2008}}</ref>
'''''Blackout''''' is the fifth [[studio album]] by [[United States|American]] [[pop music|pop]] singer [[Britney Spears]]. It was released on [[October 27]], [[2007]], in [[Australia]], [[October 29]], [[2007]], in the [[United Kingdom|UK]], and [[October 30]], [[2007]], worldwide. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry ([[IFPI]]), the album was number 32 in terms of units shipped worldwide by the end of 2007. As of August 2008, the album has sold 887,000 copies in the [[United States]].<ref>Cohen, Jonathan. [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003838689 "Britney: New, 'More Urban' Album Due In '09"]. ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]''. [[August 13]] [[2008]].</ref> It was ranked at number 50 by ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine in its publication of the Top 50 albums of 2007. Additionally, as of June 2008, there have been 3.1 million digital downloads of the songs and remixes from the album.<ref>{{cite web | last=Caulfield | first=Keith | title=Ask Billboard | work=Billboard magazine | date=[[June 9]], [[2008]] | url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/ask_bb/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003813908 | accessdate=June 9| accessyear=2008}}</ref>


==Album history==
==Album history==
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==Promotion==
==Promotion==
This is the first studio album for which Spears did not do any promotion prior to its release, with the exception of her performance at the [[2007 MTV Video Music Awards]]. Jive Records posted a commercial for the album on its official YouTube page.
This is the first studio album for which Spears did not do any promotion prior to its release, with the exception of her performance at the [[2007 MTV Video Music Awards]], which was panned by both fans and critics. Jive Records posted a commercial for the album on its official YouTube page.


In addition to the official "[[Piece of Me]]" music video, the "Britney Spears Wants a Piece of You" contest, in which fans could create videos for the "Piece of Me" single themselves using MTV's Video Remixer, began on [[November 30]], [[2007]]. The winning video aired on ''[[Total Request Live|TRL]]'' on [[December 20]], [[2007]]. MTV, [[Jive Records]], and Spears herself chose the winner.
In addition to the official "[[Piece of Me]]" music video, the "Britney Spears Wants a Piece of You" contest, in which fans could create videos for the "Piece of Me" single themselves using MTV's Video Remixer, began on [[November 30]], [[2007]]. The winning video aired on ''[[Total Request Live|TRL]]'' on [[December 20]], [[2007]]. MTV, [[Jive Records]], and Spears herself chose the winner.
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==Critical reception==
==Critical reception==
The album has received mixed reviews.<ref>{{cite web
The album has received mixed reviews. ''[[Digital Spy]]'' called it "the most danceable, modern and thrilling album that Spears has ever made, the disc where she finally shakes off the last remnants of her Mickey Mouse Club image."<ref>{{cite web
|url = http://music.spreadit.org/britney-spears-blackout-album-gets-mixed-reviews/
|title = Britney Spears “Blackout” Album Gets Mixed Reviews
|accessdate = 2008-08-22
|date = 2007-10-27
|publisher = Music.Spreadit.org
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
|url = http://www.entertainmentwise.com/news/38326/britneys-blackout-prepares-for-number-one
|title = Britney's Blackout Prepares For Number One
|accessdate = 2008-08-22
|date = 2007-11-02
|publisher = Entertainmentwise
}}</ref> ''[[Digital Spy]]'' called it "the most danceable, modern and thrilling album that Spears has ever made, the disc where she finally shakes off the last remnants of her Mickey Mouse Club image."<ref>{{cite web
|url = http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a78828/britney-spears-blackout.html
|url = http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/music/a78828/britney-spears-blackout.html
|title = Album Review - Britney Spears: ''Blackout''
|title = Album Review - Britney Spears: ''Blackout''
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}}</ref> Critics have also noted new influences in Spears' music, such as the [[London]]-based underground electronic genre [[dubstep]] as the main influence for the track "Freakshow."<ref name='ewing'>{{cite news | first=Tom | last=Ewing | coauthors= | title=Column: Poptimist #10: Britney in the Black Lodge (Damn Fine Album) | date=2007-11-20 | publisher= | url =http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/47096-column-poptimist-10 | work =[[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]] | pages = | accessdate = 2007-11-21 | language = }}</ref>
}}</ref> Critics have also noted new influences in Spears' music, such as the [[London]]-based underground electronic genre [[dubstep]] as the main influence for the track "Freakshow."<ref name='ewing'>{{cite news | first=Tom | last=Ewing | coauthors= | title=Column: Poptimist #10: Britney in the Black Lodge (Damn Fine Album) | date=2007-11-20 | publisher= | url =http://www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/feature/47096-column-poptimist-10 | work =[[Pitchfork Media|Pitchfork]] | pages = | accessdate = 2007-11-21 | language = }}</ref>


This album was ranked at number fifty by ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' in its annual publication of Top 50 Albums of 2007.<ref>{{cite web
This album was ranked at number 50 by ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' in its annual publication of Top 50 Albums of 2007.<ref>{{cite web
|url = http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/17601851/the_top_50_albums_of_2007/25
|url = http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/17601851/the_top_50_albums_of_2007/25
|title = The Top 50 Albums of 2007
|title = The Top 50 Albums of 2007
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|work = NineMSN.com
|work = NineMSN.com
|publisher = Ninemsn Pty Ltd
|publisher = Ninemsn Pty Ltd
}} "Britney 'like a singing blow up doll'". NineMSN. Retrieved October 24, 2007.]</ref> [[PopMatters]] was unimpressed with the album as well, writing, "Right down to its utterly garish cover, Blackout is utterly disposable and ultimately forgettable."<ref>{{cite web
}} "Britney 'like a singing blow up doll'". NineMSN. Retrieved October 24, 2007.]</ref>
|url = http://www.popmatters.com/pm/review/50361/britney-spears-blackout/
|title = Britney Spears
|accessdate = 2008-08-22
|publisher = [[PopMatters]]
}}</ref>


==Chart performance==
==Chart performance==
Based on first-day sales data provided by the eight chains that report to Nielsen SoundScan's Building Charts, it was predicted that "Blackout" would claim the number one spot in its first week of release in the [[United States]] after it sold 124,000 units.<ref>[http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003665998 Future Looks Bright For A Britney 'Blackout' At No. 1<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> However, Billboard made a last minute and controversial rule change which allowed albums sold exclusively at only one retailer to appear on the [[Billboard 200]].
Based on first-day sales data provided by the eight chains that report to Nielsen SoundScan's Building Charts, it was predicted that "Blackout" would claim the number one spot in its first week of release in the [[United States]] after it sold 124,000 units.<ref>[http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003665998 Future Looks Bright For A Britney 'Blackout' At No. 1<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> However, Billboard made a last minute and controversial rule change which allowed albums sold exclusively at only one retailer to appear on the [[Billboard 200]].


Therefore, despite selling 290,000 copies in its first week, the album became her first studio album not to debut at number one on the [[Billboard 200]]. Instead, it debuted at number two with sales far behind that of [[The Eagles]]' ''[[Long Road Out of Eden]]'' which claimed the number one spot after selling nearly 711,000 units exclusively at [[Walmart]].<ref>http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/2/week-of-nov-5-2007-eagles-black-out-britney</ref> This made Spears the only female artist in history whose first five studio albums have debuted in the top two slots on the chart. ''Blackout'' also set the record for the biggest-selling digital album debut by a female artist in one week.<ref>[http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/11-08-2007/0004701515&EDATE= Britney Spears Debuts #1 on European Albums Chart and Debuts #1 on U.S. Digital Albums Chart<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> As of 2008, the album has sold 879,000 copies in the [[United States]] alone. <ref name=autogenerated2 />
Therefore, despite selling 290,000 copies in its first week, the album became her first studio album not to debut at number one on the [[Billboard 200]]. Instead, it debuted at number two with sales far behind that of [[The Eagles]]' ''[[Long Road Out of Eden]]'' which claimed the number one spot after selling nearly 711,000 units exclusively at [[Walmart]].<ref>http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/2/week-of-nov-5-2007-eagles-black-out-britney</ref> This made Spears the only female artist in history whose first five studio albums have debuted in the top two slots on the chart. ''Blackout'' also set the record for the biggest-selling digital album debut by a female artist in one week.<ref>[http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/11-08-2007/0004701515&EDATE= Britney Spears Debuts #1 on European Albums Chart and Debuts #1 on U.S. Digital Albums Chart<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> As of August 2008, the album has sold 887,000 copies in the [[United States]]. <ref name=autogenerated2 />


The album was received equally well in the [[United Kingdom]], debuting at number two on the [[UK Albums Chart]], her highest debut since her sophomore album ''[[Oops!… I Did It Again]]'', which debuted at number two. The album quickly fell out of the top forty, however, it managed to remain in the top seventy-five through continued sales, and has been certified Gold. As a result of the success of the album's singles, "[[Gimme More]]," "[[Piece of Me]]," and "[[Break the Ice]]," the album climbed back into the top forty in its twenty second week of release, with a massive jump of eighteen places from number forty-three to number twenty-five in one week.<ref>[http://britneybreakstheice.blogspot.com/2008/04/uk-chart-update-for-week-ending-april_20.html Break The Ice: UK Chart Update For Week Ending April 20th<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The following week, the album climbed another six places and re-entered the top twenty, placing at number nineteen in the chart, and marking its ninth week back in the top forty.
The album was received equally well in the [[United Kingdom]], debuting at number two on the [[UK Albums Chart]], her highest debut since her sophomore album ''[[Oops!… I Did It Again]]'', which debuted at number two. The album quickly fell out of the top forty, however, it managed to remain in the top seventy-five through continued sales, and has been certified Gold. As a result of the success of the album's singles, "[[Gimme More]]," "[[Piece of Me]]," and "[[Break the Ice]]," the album climbed back into the top forty in its twenty second week of release, with a massive jump of eighteen places from number forty-three to number twenty-five in one week.<ref>[http://britneybreakstheice.blogspot.com/2008/04/uk-chart-update-for-week-ending-april_20.html Break The Ice: UK Chart Update For Week Ending April 20th<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The following week, the album climbed another six places and re-entered the top twenty, placing at number nineteen in the chart, and marking its ninth week back in the top forty.
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"[[Break the Ice]]" was officially released for radio airplay in the U.S. on [[March 3]], 2008,<ref>[http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691 FMQB Single Release's<!--Bot generated title --></ref> and a promotional CD was released. <ref>[http://www.britneyspy.com/2008/01/30/break-the-ice-promo-cds-released-next-single/ BritneySpy.com - Your Online Britney Spy » Blog Archive » “Break The Ice” Promo CDS Released; Next Single?<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The music video for the song premiered on [[March 12]], the first ever of Spears' videos to be fully animated.
"[[Break the Ice]]" was officially released for radio airplay in the U.S. on [[March 3]], 2008,<ref>[http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691 FMQB Single Release's<!--Bot generated title --></ref> and a promotional CD was released. <ref>[http://www.britneyspy.com/2008/01/30/break-the-ice-promo-cds-released-next-single/ BritneySpy.com - Your Online Britney Spy » Blog Archive » “Break The Ice” Promo CDS Released; Next Single?<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> The music video for the song premiered on [[March 12]], the first ever of Spears' videos to be fully animated.


It is the first time in Spears' career that all singles released from a [[studio album]] have reached the top of the [[Billboard]] [[Hot Dance Club Play]] chart. On June 11, 2008, Jive Records announced that no further singles would be released from ''Blackout''.
Despite many speculations from fans that "Radar" would be the fourth single to be released from the album, on June 11, 2008, Jive Records announced that no further singles would be released from ''Blackout'' since Spears is working on her new album. However Radar has begun to chart on several charts due to increased downloads and air play. Due to strong airplay in Australia, it has charted at #79<ref>http://ariacharts.com.au/pages/chartifacts.htm</ref> on The ARIA Singles Chart. It has also made chart appearences in Sweden and New Zealand.


==Charts and certifications==
==Charts and certifications==
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|align="center"|3
|align="center"|3
|Platinum
|Platinum
⚫
|
|70,000+
|-
|-
|Austrian Albums Chart<ref>[http://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Britney+Spears&titel=Blackout&cat=a Britney Spears - Blackout - austriancharts.at<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|Austrian Albums Chart<ref>[http://austriancharts.at/showitem.asp?interpret=Britney+Spears&titel=Blackout&cat=a Britney Spears - Blackout - austriancharts.at<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
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|rowspan="2"|IFPI Belgium
|rowspan="2"|IFPI Belgium
|align="center"|6
|align="center"|6
|rowspan="2"| Gold
|rowspan="2"|Gold
| rowspan="2"| 30,000+
| rowspan="2"|
|-
|-
|Belgium Flemish Albums Chart<ref name=autogenerated3 />
|Belgium Flemish Albums Chart<ref name=autogenerated3 />
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|align="center"|1
|align="center"|1
|Platinum<ref>Editors from cria.ca [http://cria.ca/goldplat.php#album CRIA] ''[[Canadian Recording Industry Association]]'' Retrieved on December, 2007.</ref>
|Platinum<ref>Editors from cria.ca [http://cria.ca/goldplat.php#album CRIA] ''[[Canadian Recording Industry Association]]'' Retrieved on December, 2007.</ref>
⚫
|
|100,000+
|-
|-
|Czech Republic Albums Chart<ref>Editors from ifpicr.cz {{cite web | last= | first= | title=IFPI Czech Republic | work=ifpicr.cz | date= | url=http://www.ifpicr.cz/hitparada/index.php?hitp=P | accessdate= | accessyear=2007}}</ref>
|Czech Republic Albums Chart<ref>Editors from ifpicr.cz {{cite web | last= | first= | title=IFPI Czech Republic | work=ifpicr.cz | date= | url=http://www.ifpicr.cz/hitparada/index.php?hitp=P | accessdate= | accessyear=2007}}</ref>
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|align="center"|2
|align="center"|2
|Gold<ref>Gold in France [http://www.disqueenfrance.com/certifications/album.asp?suite=2&forme_certif=8&annee=25 Disque En France] ''[[Disque En FRance]]''</ref>
|Gold<ref>Gold in France [http://www.disqueenfrance.com/certifications/album.asp?suite=2&forme_certif=8&annee=25 Disque En France] ''[[Disque En FRance]]''</ref>
⚫
|
|75,000+
|-
|-
|[[Media Control|German Albums Chart]]<ref name=biz/>
|[[Media Control|German Albums Chart]]<ref name=biz/>
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|align="center"|1
|align="center"|1
|Platinum<ref>[http://www.irishcharts.ie/awards/platinum07.htm The Irish Charts - All there is to know<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|Platinum<ref>[http://www.irishcharts.ie/awards/platinum07.htm The Irish Charts - All there is to know<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
⚫
|
|15,000+
|-
|-
|Italian Albums Chart<ref>[http://italiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Britney+Spears&titel=Blackout&cat=a italiancharts.com - Britney Spears - Blackout<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|Italian Albums Chart<ref>[http://italiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Britney+Spears&titel=Blackout&cat=a italiancharts.com - Britney Spears - Blackout<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
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|align="center"|6
|align="center"|6
|
|
|
|32,495
|-
|-
|-
|-
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|align="center"|4
|align="center"|4
|rowspan="2"|
|rowspan="2"|
|rowspan="2"|
|rowspan="2"|80,000+<ref>[http://jbbs.livedoor.jp/bbs/read.cgi/music/3914/1044805378/401-500 ブリトニー・スピアーズ 「ブラックアウト Oricon Charts - last on chart 2008/01/14]</ref>
|-
|-
|align="left"|Japan Oricon International Album Chart<ref name=japan/>
|align="left"|Japan Oricon International Album Chart<ref name=japan/>
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|align="center"|8
|align="center"|8
|Gold<ref>[http://www.rianz.org.nz/rianz/chart.asp RIANZ<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|Gold<ref>[http://www.rianz.org.nz/rianz/chart.asp RIANZ<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|
|7,500+<ref>[http://www.rianz.org.nz/rianz/chart_facts.asp RIANZ<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|-
|-
|Norwegian Albums Chart<ref>[http://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Britney+Spears&titel=Blackout&cat=a norwegiancharts.com - Britney Spears - Blackout<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|Norwegian Albums Chart<ref>[http://norwegiancharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Britney+Spears&titel=Blackout&cat=a norwegiancharts.com - Britney Spears - Blackout<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
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|align="center"|11
|align="center"|11
|Platinum
|Platinum
|
|80.000
|-
|-
|Swedish Albums Chart<ref>[http://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Britney+Spears&titel=Blackout&cat=a swedishcharts.com - Britney Spears - Blackout<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
|Swedish Albums Chart<ref>[http://swedishcharts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Britney+Spears&titel=Blackout&cat=a swedishcharts.com - Britney Spears - Blackout<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
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|align="center"|2
|align="center"|2
|Gold
|Gold
|
|250,000+
|-
|-
|[[Billboard 200]]<ref>{{cite web | last=Hasty | first=Katie | title=Eagles Fly Past Britney To Debut at No. 1 | work=Billboard magazine | date=[[November 7]], [[2007]] | url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003669047 | accessdate=November 7 | accessyear=2007}}</ref>
|[[Billboard 200]]<ref>{{cite web | last=Hasty | first=Katie | title=Eagles Fly Past Britney To Debut at No. 1 | work=Billboard magazine | date=[[November 7]], [[2007]] | url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003669047 | accessdate=November 7 | accessyear=2007}}</ref>
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|
|
|887,000<ref>[http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003828011 Britney Spending Summer In The Studio]</ref>
|887,000<ref>[http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003828011 Britney Spending Summer In The Studio]</ref>
⚫
|-
|United World Chart
|Worldwide
|Media Traffic
|align="center"|2
⚫
|
|2,000,000+
|-
|-
|}
|}
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|align="left"|TRL Italy Awards
|align="left"|TRL Italy Awards
|align="left"|Best Number One (Gimme More)
|align="left"|Best Number One (Gimme More)
|align="left"|Nominated
⚫
|-
|align="left"|TRL Italy Awards
|align="left"|TRL First Lady
|align="left"|Nominated
|align="left"|Nominated
|-
|-
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|align="left"|Album of the Year
|align="left"|Album of the Year
|align="left"|Won
|align="left"|Won
⚫
|-
|align="left"|2008 [[Teen Choice Awards]]
|align="left"|Favorite Female
|align="left"|Nominated
|-
|-
|rowspan="3" align="left"|[[2008 MTV Video Music Awards]]
|rowspan="3" align="left"|[[2008 MTV Video Music Awards]]

Revision as of 02:10, 27 August 2008

Untitled

Blackout is the fifth studio album by American pop singer Britney Spears. It was released on October 27, 2007, in Australia, October 29, 2007, in the UK, and October 30, 2007, worldwide. According to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), the album was number 32 in terms of units shipped worldwide by the end of 2007. As of August 2008, the album has sold 887,000 copies in the United States.[1] It was ranked at number 50 by Rolling Stone magazine in its publication of the Top 50 albums of 2007. Additionally, as of June 2008, there have been 3.1 million digital downloads of the songs and remixes from the album.[2]

Album history

In February 2006, it was reported that Britney was "in the midst of recording her next album," which could possibly be released later that year. According to the People magazine article, Spears said her new music could "reinvigorate the current pop scene," of which she said was "boring".[3]

In May 2006, it was reported that Jonathan "J.R." Rotem said that Spears had "up-tempo club songs," and "relationship songs," "and everything in between."[4]

In September 2006, Rotem said, "Our goal is to try to one-up it," referring to the hits on the radio at the time. "I can tell you there's some dance stuff; there's some slow, more introspective stuff; some club things," the producer said.[5]

Spears later revealed in a personal message on her official website that she planned to release her new album before the end of 2007.[6]

Britney Spears began working with Nate "Danja" Hills while she was pregnant with her second child. Recording began in Las Vegas and continued at Spears' home in Los Angeles.

In August 2007, it was revealed that "Gimme More" would be going to airwaves as the album's first single.[7]

The album was released on October 30, 2007, ahead of its planned release date, due to numerous unauthorized online leaks, and to prevent any future illegal distribution.[8]

Spears' website ran a competition for fans to vote for the album's title; however, none of the suggestions were used. Several sources claimed "Piece of Me" to be the album's title as well as the second single. On October 5, 2007, a message was posted on Spears' official website confirming the title of the album to be Blackout. A spokesperson for Jive Records has said that the title and theme of Blackout is about "blacking out negativity and embracing life".

On November 13, 2007, U.S. store Target released a special edition of Blackout with the bonus track, "Outta This World," a bonus mobile wallpaper, and a ringtone.

Spears won "Best International Album" for Blackout at France's NRJ Awards in January 2008.[9]

An Alternate Cover for the album has also been sold in certain areas since February. [10]

Promotion

This is the first studio album for which Spears did not do any promotion prior to its release, with the exception of her performance at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, which was panned by both fans and critics. Jive Records posted a commercial for the album on its official YouTube page.

In addition to the official "Piece of Me" music video, the "Britney Spears Wants a Piece of You" contest, in which fans could create videos for the "Piece of Me" single themselves using MTV's Video Remixer, began on November 30, 2007. The winning video aired on TRL on December 20, 2007. MTV, Jive Records, and Spears herself chose the winner.

Release history

Country Date
Europe October 26, 2007
Latin America
Australia October 27, 2007
United Kingdom October 29, 2007
United States October 30, 2007
Worldwide

Critical reception

The album has received mixed reviews. Digital Spy called it "the most danceable, modern and thrilling album that Spears has ever made, the disc where she finally shakes off the last remnants of her Mickey Mouse Club image."[11] The Guardian stated that "It's a bold, exciting album: the question is whether anyone will be able to hear its contents over the deafening roar of tittle-tattle."[12] Entertainment Weekly gave the album a B+ rating, and praised the album as "a perfectly serviceable dance album abundant in the kind of bouncy electro elements that buttressed her hottest hits."[13] Popjustice also stated the album was "modern sounding, and brilliantly produced."[14] Rolling Stone went on to give the album three and a half stars out of five, and joked that Spears will "continue to crank the best pop booty jams until a social worker cuts off her supply of hits."[15] Critics have also noted new influences in Spears' music, such as the London-based underground electronic genre dubstep as the main influence for the track "Freakshow."[16]

This album was ranked at number 50 by Rolling Stone in its annual publication of Top 50 Albums of 2007.[17]

However, there were also negative reviews. Newsday titled its review "Save your money" and called the album "terrible."[18] Billboard stated "This is still pop, but the last bits of Spears' song-and-dance girl veneer are cracking, along with the rest of her public persona."[19] Other reviews noted the overwhelming presence of "studio trickery" had the effect of making her sound like a "Brit Bot." "If a blow-up sex doll could sing, this is what she'd sound like," wrote critic Jim Farber. "In terms of studio trickery, Paris Hilton's album [Paris] was practically 'unplugged' compared to this."[20]

Chart performance

Based on first-day sales data provided by the eight chains that report to Nielsen SoundScan's Building Charts, it was predicted that "Blackout" would claim the number one spot in its first week of release in the United States after it sold 124,000 units.[21] However, Billboard made a last minute and controversial rule change which allowed albums sold exclusively at only one retailer to appear on the Billboard 200.

Therefore, despite selling 290,000 copies in its first week, the album became her first studio album not to debut at number one on the Billboard 200. Instead, it debuted at number two with sales far behind that of The Eagles' Long Road Out of Eden which claimed the number one spot after selling nearly 711,000 units exclusively at Walmart.[22] This made Spears the only female artist in history whose first five studio albums have debuted in the top two slots on the chart. Blackout also set the record for the biggest-selling digital album debut by a female artist in one week.[23] As of August 2008, the album has sold 887,000 copies in the United States. [24]

The album was received equally well in the United Kingdom, debuting at number two on the UK Albums Chart, her highest debut since her sophomore album Oops!… I Did It Again, which debuted at number two. The album quickly fell out of the top forty, however, it managed to remain in the top seventy-five through continued sales, and has been certified Gold. As a result of the success of the album's singles, "Gimme More," "Piece of Me," and "Break the Ice," the album climbed back into the top forty in its twenty second week of release, with a massive jump of eighteen places from number forty-three to number twenty-five in one week.[25] The following week, the album climbed another six places and re-entered the top twenty, placing at number nineteen in the chart, and marking its ninth week back in the top forty.

In New Zealand, the album debuted at number eight on the New Zealand Albums Chart, making it Spears' highest debut since Oops!... I Did It Again in 2000. Although it quickly fell off the chart, it re-entered after the success of "Piece Of Me," and climbed back up to number eleven where it stayed for three weeks. Blackout was certified Gold for sales of over 7,500 after fifteen weeks, and remained on the chart for twenty-one weeks.

The album was also successful in Australia, debuting at number three on the Australian Albums Chart and has so far reached Platinum status, for sales of over 70,000 copies.

Track listing

# Title Writers Producer Time
1. "Gimme More" Nate Hills, James Washington, Keri Hilson, Marcella Araica Danja 4:11
2. "Piece of Me" Christian Karlsson, Pontus Winnberg, Klas Åhlund Bloodshy & Avant 3:32
3. "Radar" Karlsson, Winnberg, Henrik Jonback, Balewa Muhammad, Candice Nelson, Ezekiel "Zeke" Lewis, Patrick Smith Bloodshy & Avant, The Clutch 3:49
4. "Break the Ice" Araica, Hills, Hilson, Washington Danja 3:16
5. "Heaven on Earth" Nick Huntington, Michael McGroarty, Nicole Morier Freescha, Kara DioGuardi 4:52
6. "Get Naked (I Got A Plan)" Ellis, Araica, Hills, Nigel Talley†, Washington† Danja 4:45
7. "Freakshow" Spears, Lewis, Smith, Karlsson, Winnberg, Asher Bloodshy & Avant, The Clutch 2:55
8. "Toy Soldier" Sean Garrett, Karlsson, Winnberg, Magnus Wallbert Bloodshy & Avant, Sean "The Pen" Garrett 3:22
9. "Hot as Ice" Hills, Araica, T-Pain Danja 3:17
10. "Ooh Ooh Baby" Farid Nassar, DioGuardi, Erick Coomes Fredwreck, Kara DioGuardi 3:28
11. "Perfect Lover" Araica, Hills, Hilson, Washington Danja 3:02
12. "Why Should I Be Sad" Pharrell Williams The Neptunes 3:10

Bonus Tracks

# Title Writers Producer Time
13. "Outta This World" (Target and Japan) Danja, Hills, Araica, Ellis Danja 3:44
14. "Everybody" (iTunes and Japan) Spears, Annie Lennox, Jonathan Rotem J.R. Rotem 3:18
15. "Get Back" (iTunes and Japan) Hills, Araica, Ellis Danja 3:51

"Everybody" contains samples from the Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)."

Bonus Remixes

Title Time
"Gimme More (Paul Oakenfold Remix)" (Japan Bonus) 6:08
"Gimme More (Junkie XL Dub)" (Digital Bonus) 4:59
"Gimme More (StoneBridge Dub)" (Swiss & Italy iTunes Bonus) 7:23

Singles

"Gimme More" was the first single from Blackout. Spears performed the song at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards on September 9, 2007. It was released earlier to radio stations on August 30, 2007, and as a digital download on iTunes on September 27, 2007. "Gimme More" became Spears' highest peaking single since "...Baby One More Time," reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100. Since the release in September 2007, "Gimme More" has been certified Platinum in the U.S.[26]

"Piece of Me" was released for radio airplay in the US, and was the second single from the album. The music video was shot on November 27, 2007, at Los Angeles restaurant and night club, Social Hollywood. It debuted at #65 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, mostly due to its digital download sales, finally peaking at #18. It has also reached number one on the Irish Singles Chart, number two in Australia and on the UK Singles Chart, and number five on the Canadian Hot 100. "Piece of Me" has been certified Platinum in the U.S.[27]

"Break the Ice" was officially released for radio airplay in the U.S. on March 3, 2008,[28] and a promotional CD was released. [29] The music video for the song premiered on March 12, the first ever of Spears' videos to be fully animated.

It is the first time in Spears' career that all singles released from a studio album have reached the top of the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. On June 11, 2008, Jive Records announced that no further singles would be released from Blackout.

Charts and certifications

Chart Country Provider(s) Peak
position 		Certification Sales/shipments
Australian Albums Chart[30] Australia ARIA 3 Platinum
Austrian Albums Chart[31] Austria IFPI Austria 6
Belgium Wallonie Albums Chart[32] Belgium IFPI Belgium 6 Gold
Belgium Flemish Albums Chart[32] 17
Brazilian Albums Chart[33] Brazil Hot100Brasil 1
Canadian Albums Chart[34] Canada CRIA 1 Platinum[35]
Czech Republic Albums Chart[36] Czech Republic IFPI Czech Republic 27
Danish Albums Chart[37] Denmark IFPI Denmark 6
European Top 100 Albums[38] Europe IFPI 1
Finnish Albums Chart[39] Finland IFPI Finland 22
French Albums Chart[40] France Disque En France 2 Gold[41]
German Albums Chart[38] Germany IFPI Germany 10
Greek International Albums Chart[42] Greece IFPI Greece 3
Greek Albums Chart[42] 7
Irish Albums Chart[43] Ireland IRMA 1 Platinum[44]
Italian Albums Chart[45] Italy FIMI 6
Japan Oricon Album Chart[46] Japan RIAJ 4
Japan Oricon International Album Chart[46] 1
Mexican Albums Chart[47] Mexico AMPROFON 2
Mexican International Albums Chart[47] 1
Netherlands Albums Chart[48] Netherlands MegaCharts 14
New Zealand Albums Chart[40] New Zealand RIANZ 8 Gold[49]
Norwegian Albums Chart[50] Norway IFPI Norway 12
Portuguese Albums Chart[51] Portugal AFP 10
Spanish Albums Chart[52] Spain PROMUSICAE 11 Platinum
Swedish Albums Chart[53] Sweden IFPI Sweden 11
Swiss Albums Charts[54] Switzerland IFPI Switzerland 4
UK Albums Chart[38] United Kingdom BPI 2 Gold
Billboard 200[55] United States RIAA 2 887,000[56]

Awards

2007

Awards ceremony Award Results
Billboard Readers' Choice Album of the Year Won[57]

2008

Awards ceremony Award Results
NRJ Music Awards Best International Album[58] Won[59]
Hit Music Awards[60] Best International Album Won
Best Song (Gimme More) Won
Alfa Music Awards Awards Best International Album Won
TRL Italy Awards Best Number One (Gimme More) Nominated
Imperio Music Awards Best Album Won
Best Female Video (Gimme More) Won
Sexiest Video (Gimme More) Won
Cannes International Music Awards Album of the Year Won
2008 MTV Video Music Awards Best Female Video (Piece of Me) TBA[61][62]
Best Pop Video (Piece of Me) TBA[63][64]
Video of the Year (Piece of Me) TBA[65]

Personnel

  • Vocals – Britney Spears
  • Background vocals – Britney Spears, Corte Ellis, Jim Beanz, Robin "Robyn" Carlsson, Kara DioGuardi, Sean Garrett, Keri Hilson, Windy Wagner, Pharrell, Nicole Morier, Ezekiel "Zeke" Lewis, Nate Hills
  • Keyboards – Avant, Bloodshy, Fredwreck
  • Bass – Klas Alund, Eric Coomes, Henrik Jonback
  • Guitar – Eric Coomes, Fredwreck, Henrik Jonback

Production

References

  1. ^ Cohen, Jonathan. "Britney: New, 'More Urban' Album Due In '09". Billboard. August 13 2008.
  2. ^ Caulfield, Keith (June 9, 2008). "Ask Billboard". Billboard magazine. Retrieved June 9. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ Chris Harris (2006-02-17). "Britney Spears Working On New Album To Boost 'Boring' Pop Scene". MTV.com. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
  4. ^ Jennifer Vineyard (2006-05-15). "Britney Working On 'Crazy-Ass' New Music And Even Rapping". MTV.com. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
  5. ^ Corey Moss (2006-09-18). "Britney's New Music Is 'The Next Level,' Producer Says". MTV.com. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
  6. ^ Gail Mitchell (2007-01-05). "Britney Coming Back 'Bigger And Better' In 2007". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
  7. ^ Jonathon Cohen (2007-08-28). "Britney Wants 'More' On New Danjahandz Track". Billboard.com. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
  8. ^ MTV News staff (2006-10-10). "Britney Spears Plans An Early Blackout". MTV.com. Retrieved 2008-01-30.
  9. ^ Kimberley Dadds (2008-01-30). "Spears wins album award at NRJ ceremony". Digital Spy. Retrieved 2008-01-28.
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference autogenerated1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Nick Levine (2007-10-29). "Album Review - Britney Spears: Blackout". Digital Spy. Digital Spy Limited. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
  12. ^ Alexis Petridis (2007-10-26). "Britney Spears, Blackout". The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
  13. ^ Margeaux Watson (2007-10-23). "Music Review: Blackout". Entertainment Weekly. Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
  14. ^ "A Proper Verdict on the Britney Album". Popjustice. Popjustice Ltd. 2007-10-22. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
  15. ^ Melissa Maerz (2007-11-15). "Album Review: Blackout". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
  16. ^ Ewing, Tom (2007-11-20). "Column: Poptimist #10: Britney in the Black Lodge (Damn Fine Album)". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2007-11-21. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  17. ^ Robert Christgau, David Fricke, Christian Hoard, Rob Sheffield (2007-12-17). "The Top 50 Albums of 2007". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 2008-01-12.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ Glenn Gamboa (2007-10-25). "Britney Spears' New CD? Save Your Money". Newsday. Newsday Inc. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
  19. ^ Kerri Mason (2007-10-29). "Blackout". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-01-12.
  20. ^ Reuters (2007-10-24). "Britney 'like a singing blow up doll'". NineMSN.com. Ninemsn Pty Ltd. Retrieved 2008-01-12. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help) "Britney 'like a singing blow up doll'". NineMSN. Retrieved October 24, 2007.]
  21. ^ Future Looks Bright For A Britney 'Blackout' At No. 1
  22. ^ http://new.music.yahoo.com/blogs/chart_watch/2/week-of-nov-5-2007-eagles-black-out-britney
  23. ^ Britney Spears Debuts #1 on European Albums Chart and Debuts #1 on U.S. Digital Albums Chart
  24. ^ Cite error: The named reference autogenerated2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  25. ^ Break The Ice: UK Chart Update For Week Ending April 20th
  26. ^ Silvio Pietroluongo (2007-10-03). "'More' Scores for Britney on Digital, Hot 100 Charts". Billboard.biz. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. Retrieved 2008-01-13.
  27. ^ RIAA - Gold & Platinum - May 30, 2008
  28. ^ [http://www.fmqb.com/Article.asp?id=16691 FMQB Single Release's
  29. ^ BritneySpy.com - Your Online Britney Spy » Blog Archive » “Break The Ice” Promo CDS Released; Next Single?
  30. ^ Editors from ARIA charts. "ARIA albums charts". ARIA. November 4, 2007. Retrieved November 4. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ Britney Spears - Blackout - austriancharts.at
  32. ^ a b ultratop.be - Britney Spears - Blackout
  33. ^ "Top 30 CDs Sales". Hot100Brasil. 3 November 2007 - 9 November 2007. Retrieved 2007-11-15. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  34. ^ Editors from allmusic.com "Britney Spears: Billboard Albums". All Music Guide. Retrieved November. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  35. ^ Editors from cria.ca CRIA Canadian Recording Industry Association Retrieved on December, 2007.
  36. ^ Editors from ifpicr.cz "IFPI Czech Republic". ifpicr.cz. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  37. ^ danishcharts.com - Britney Spears - Blackout
  38. ^ a b c Brandle, Lars (November 8, 2007). "Britney Spearheads Hot Euro Chart Return". Billboard magazine. Retrieved November 8. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  39. ^ finnishcharts.com - Britney Spears - Blackout
  40. ^ a b Editors from acharts.us "Album performance". acharts.us. November 7, 2007. Retrieved November. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  41. ^ Gold in France Disque En France Disque En FRance
  42. ^ a b Editors from ifpi.gr "IFPI Greece". ifpi.gr. Retrieved November. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  43. ^ >> IRMA << Irish Charts - Singles, Albums & Compilations >>
  44. ^ The Irish Charts - All there is to know
  45. ^ italiancharts.com - Britney Spears - Blackout
  46. ^ a b Editors from Oricon "Japanese charts". Oricon. Retrieved November. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  47. ^ a b Editors from AMPROFON "Mexican charts" (PDF). AMPROFON. Retrieved November. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  48. ^ "Dutch charts". MegaCharts. Retrieved January. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  49. ^ RIANZ
  50. ^ norwegiancharts.com - Britney Spears - Blackout
  51. ^ portuguesecharts.com - Britney Spears - Blackout
  52. ^ spanishcharts.com - Britney Spears - Blackout
  53. ^ swedishcharts.com - Britney Spears - Blackout
  54. ^ Britney Spears - Blackout - swisscharts.com
  55. ^ Hasty, Katie (November 7, 2007). "Eagles Fly Past Britney To Debut at No. 1". Billboard magazine. Retrieved November 7. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= and |date= (help); Unknown parameter |accessyear= ignored (|access-date= suggested) (help)
  56. ^ Britney Spending Summer In The Studio
  57. ^ "2007: The Year in Music - Readers' Choice". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 2008. Retrieved 2008-01-17. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  58. ^ Editors from NRJ Awards. Britney Spears' Blackout Best International Album Retrieved on December, 2007.
  59. ^ [1]
  60. ^ HIT MUSIC AWARDS Winners
  61. ^ Blogspot
  62. ^ 2008 MTV VMA | Nominees | Best Female Video | MTV.com
  63. ^ Blogspot
  64. ^ 2008 MTV VMA | Nominees | Best Pop Video | MTV.com
  65. ^ Blogspot
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