Now, it would be fair to say that Britney has seen a fair amount of publicity over th past year and not all of it has been completely positive. When an artist is chewed up and spat out by a hostile audience in the way that poor Britney has been there's a fair chance that any comeback album is going to be met with a fair amount of hostility. In fact here are some quotes from disgruntled reviewers scared of losing face.

"In terms of studio trickery, Paris Hilton's album was practically 'unplugged' compared to this."

"certain songs wouldn't have sounded too different if her vocal were totally erased"

My personal favourite... ""If a blow-up sex doll could sing, this is what she'd sound like," - Jim Farber

Well, its fair to say I approached this album with a fair amount of skepticism. Had Britney's record company taken to screwing her over, or in the words of her soon to be classic song Perfect Lover "****ing her whilst she's hot"? Were they going to shoot her down with substandard songwriting and move on to the next blow up sex doll with better milkshake?

Fear not Britney fans, or any fans of pop-dance hybrid music because Britney's Blackout is really quite special. Lyrically it explores a whole new world of dangerous territory as "Get Naked (I Got a Plan)" Imploring us all to "get naked naked, naked naked and the excellent "Ooh Ohh baby" in which Britney begs us to "fill me up fill me up fill me up".

Musically, Britney has evolved somewhat from In the Zone which touched on sexy dance tunes but still remained rooted in its limiting pop setting. Much comment has been made regarding the sonics of this record. Britney's voice has always been a little thin, her talent lies in its sultry seductive sexiness and its in full evidence here, backed up by grinding beats and electronica that create a full on hardcore sexy in your face dance record about lust and sex and all things dirty. Its guaranteed to instantly make you hot, horny and full of illicit thoughts that won't go away until you turn the damn tunes off. After the popular single Gimme More and the emotive "Piece of me" The album really kicks off with a trio of post-pop anthems that Radar, Break the Ice and Heaven on Earth each of which could give Britney's best tunes a run for their money.

Believe what you want about Britney's abilities as a mum or as an Icon. Laugh at her drug habit or her penchant for getting on the dance floor high - she can still cut a great pop/dance record and really, that's what counts here.