Britney Spears' Femme Fatale Is Her 'Strongest Album,' Critics Say

On Tuesday (March 29), Britney Spears released her latest album, Femme Fatale, to much fanfare and critical praise.

Femme Fatale is a dark, churning, cohesive 12-track record that will have fans on the dance floor from beginning to end. From the opening track and current single, the Ke$ha-penned "Till the World Ends," to the last, the slower "Criminal," the momentum never stops.


Peppered in the mix are dance tunes complete with dubsteps, feisty breakdowns, NSFW lyrics and thumping beats. Spears hooked up with a number of chart-topping producers and songwriters, including Dr. Luke, Max Martin, will.i.am and Claude Kelly.

The Black Eyed Peas' will.i.am also lent his vocals to their "Big Fat Bass" single, while pop newbie Sabi lent hers to the song "(Drop Dead) Beautiful." And Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker shows up on one of the deluxe-edition tracks, "Don't Keep Me Waiting."

"Femme Fatale is definitely Britney's strongest album overall," Ian Drew, senior music editor at Us magazine, told MTV News. Drew, who gave the album four stars, added, "The songs speak for themselves; it's unapologetically a great dance pop album."

Adam Markowitz, an Entertainment Weekly correspondent, gave the album a solid B+.
"It works for her because it shows that she can continue to produce really solid material," Markowitz told us. "This is a totally strong, cohesive album."

While her manager, Larry Rudolph, recently compared the new album to Madonna's Ray of Light, Drew had a different Madge comparison in mind.

"It reminds me of Madonna's Confessions on a Dance Floor, which is a similar album," he said. "You put it on as you're getting ready all night and going out on the town and you can keep it going. So this is one of those records you can put on and there isn't a weak track, which is great."

Femme Fatale easily stands up to one of Brit's strongest releases, Drew said. "I would say up until this point Blackout was her best album, and that's what this album really compares to because Blackout was nothing but great dance pop."

Markowitz agreed, noting that her latest album shows off the many sides of Spears. "There's no looking at this album and not seeing a lot of craftsmanship on it. I think it's a great showcase for her personality and her vocal styles. She sounds really lively on the album," he said. "It's about as good as Blackout, which I think surprised everyone as being a pretty strong album."

For more on the making of the album, fans can check out the upcoming MTV special, "Britney Spears: I Am the Femme Fatale." A trailer with more details premieres Tuesday night at 7:58 p.m. ET on MTV.

http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1660881/britney-spears-femme-fetale-critics.jhtml

New Album: Jessie J - Who You Are

2011 is turning out to be a great year for new artist, Jessie J. In the UK, she's already had two hit singles, "Do It Like a Dude" which peaked at #2 on the UK singles chart, and her newest single, "Price Tag" featuring B.o.B, which debuted at #1 on that chart. She also won the critics choice awards at the 2011 BRIT Awards. Although things have been going very well for her in the UK, it hasn't been as easy for her in the US. The track, "Who You Are" was set to be her 1st US single, but failed to create any buzz and "Price Tag" was then chosen as her official 1st single in the states. The song has so far peaked at #88 on the Hot 100. Jessie still has enough time to create more buzz in America, since her debut album, Who You Are wont be released here until April 12th, but it looks like she'll have to worry about in the UK, where the album will be released on February 28th.

Jessie J has contributed as a co-writer on all the tracks on her album, some which were worked on with well known writers such as Toby Gad and Claude Kelly. Dr. Luke also contributed his production on two tracks, "Price Tag" and "Abracadabra." Some of the tracks on the album were original written for other major artists including "I Need This," which was a bonus track on Chris Brown's 2009 album Graffiti, and "Do It Like a Dude" which Jessie originally wrote for Rihanna. I've said before that I'm not a big fan of Jessie J (and I'm still not), but she is a talented artist and some of her songs have grown on me. One thing that does annoy me on a few songs however, is that screechy note that she seems to love hitting. It may be appealing to some of your ears, but I find it to be very irritating. Overall, I think it's a pretty good album, but if you're expecting to hear more edgy songs like "Do It Like a Dude," then you may end up being disappointed. If you like the album, make sure you buy it whenever it's released in your country. The album is in stores in Ireland and The Netherlands today!

Tracklisting:

1. Price Tag (feat. B.o.B)

2. Nobody’s Perfect

3. Abracadabra

4. Big White Room (Live)

5. Casualty Of Love

6. Rainbow

7. Who's Laughing Now

8. Do It Like A Dude

9. Mamma Knows Best

10. L.O.V.E.

11. Stand Up

12. I Need This

13. Who You Are

14. Price Tag (Acoustic Version)

15. Do It Like a Dude (Acoustic Version)

16. Who You Are (Live Acoustic Version)

 

http://www.popmusicuniverse.net/2011/02/new-album-jessie-j-who-you-are.html 

Avril Lavigne more 'emotional, raw' on new album

LONDON — Canadian singer Avril Lavigne says her fourth album "Goodbye Lullaby," released in the United States on Tuesday, shows a different side to the petulant pop-punkster image she has perfected in the past.

"It is a more emotional, more raw record," Lavigne told Reuters in a recent interview in London to discuss Goodbye Lullaby, released by Sony Music's RCA Records label.

"And I think it's good for me to kind of switch it up a bit and do that."

At 26, and recently divorced, the star who burst on to the scene as a teenager with "Let Go" aims to win over a new audience with the fresh approach while still holding on to her core fanbase.

"I think, if anything, this record ... may be able to gain more of a mature audience along with it, and I hope to keep the same kind of core younger group," Lavigne explained.

"It's different this record for me, but it's very me. It's my personality, it's my style. It's not like I went and did something totally different or anything like that. It just showcases a different side to me and more of that."
Whether the album succeeds will soon become clear when the pop charts are published in the United States, Britain and other key markets where Lavigne's fanbase is strong.


Fallen between two worlds? 

But some critics are concerned that the artist whose total album sales are estimated at 30 million may have fallen between two worlds.

"Avril Too Serene" was the New York Post's headline.

"Right from her 'Sk8er Boi' breakthrough in 2002, punky spunk always separated Canadian rock chick Avril Lavigne from the pack," wrote Dan Aquilante in a two-star review.

"Four discs into her career and after a highly publicized split from her Sum 41 groom, Deryck Whibley, Lavigne's latest record smacks of maturity (that's bad) and is salted with self-blame and doubt (worse).

"Add to that a surprising lack of divorce venom, and the result is a milquetoast breakup album — a 13-song pileup of easy rock."

Mike Doherty, writing for Canada's National Post, agreed, describing the new album as "a middle-of-the-road collection of mildly yearning, acoustic-guitar-based songs."

Rolling Stone magazine awarded the record three stars in a mixed review, and also noted an obvious change in direction.

"Avril Lavigne is a romantic," said Jody Rosen. "That's a hard concept to wrap your mind around."
Among the collaborators on the album was ex-husband Whibley, Evan Taubenfeld and Butch Walker and songwriter/producer Max Martin.

It includes the song "Darlin,"' which Lavigne wrote when she was 14 and living in Canada.

"So you know, bringing back old songs that I did when I was younger and starting new ones and doing it on my own and playing the piano more and just recording it at my house ... it was just a different approach," she said.

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/41971091/ns/today-entertainment/

Jennifer Lopez: New Album 'Love?' Will Drop This Summer!

Jennifer Lopez may have parted ways with Sony Music Epic Records but she’s already found a new label to work with!

In a statement released to one of her fansites, OnlineJLoFan, Jennifer says, “I know my fans have been wondering what’s been going on with my album. I have been in the process of a transition and now I am happy that all the issues have been resolved and I have found a new home.”

She continues, “I have fulfilled my contractual obligations to Sony/Epic and felt it was time to move on. It was an amicable split not as the media will paint it out to be. I have been with Sony for many years and we achieved great success together. During this period I never stopped the creative process and my album Love? will still be released in the summer of 2010 as planned.”

ARE YOU EXCITED for J.Lo’s new album — YAY or NAY?

http://justjared.buzznet.com/2010/02/24/jennifer-lopez-love-album/

Donald Trump: Fighting with Obama & Letterman

Trading barbs as he immerses himself in the political arena, Donald Trump was on both the firing and receiving end of public tiffs with David Letterman and President Barack Obama over the past twenty-four hours.

The "Apprentice" mogul continued his belittling of the U.S. Commander-In-Chief during an event in Nevada on Thursday (April 28) in which he called Obama "stupid".

Trump told the Las Vegas casino audience, “Our leaders are stupid, they are stupid people. It’s just very, very sad.”

All of the negative banter seemed to get under the skin of late night talk show host David Letterman, who insinuated that Donald is a "racist" while chatting with his latest guest, Dr. Phil.

“It’s all fun, it’s all a circus, it’s all a rodeo – until it starts to smack of racism," Letterman told. Then asking Dr. Phil if he considers Trump a racist, the do-good doctor said, “I do not,” while adding that the self-proclaimed billionaire lacks the quality of thinking before speaking.

Seemingly not in agreement, Letterman then said, “If he comes back on this show, and I am not sure we want him back on this show under these circumstances, he ought to be prepared to apologize just for that kind of behavior.”

http://celebrity-gossip.net/donald-trump/donald-trump-fighting-obama-letterman-501459

Katy Perry's Australian Purr Perfume Launch

Adding to the slew of celebrity-fronted scents, Katy Perry launched her new "Purr" fragrance in Melbourne, Australia earlier today (April 30).

The "E.T." singer looked radiant as she posed with her cat-shaped perfume bottle, wearing a shiny black and purple dress and black peep toe Christian Louboutin pumps.

Meanwhile, Katy, who is married to British funnyman Russell Brand, has just filed suit against Australia's "NW" magazine after they printed a claim that the she was involved in an "intimate relationship" with record producer Benny Blanco.

Perry filed legal papers against the publication earlier this week, which read, "By reason of the publication of the article the plaintiff (Perry) has been gravely injured in her reputation and feelings (and) has suffered distress, embarrassment and humiliation."

http://celebrity-gossip.net/katy-perry/katy-perrys-australian-purr-perfume-launch-501522

Inilah Tempat Pangeran William & Kate Honeymoon

LONDON - Selepas menjalani sejumlah acara pernikahan ala kerajaan Inggris, Pangeran William dan Kate langsung bertolak dari Istana Buckingham menuju Aston Martin. Kedua pasangan berbahagia itu, lalu akan menjalani perjalanan bulan madu.

Hingga saat ini, baik Pangeran William dan Kate maupun pihak kerajaan, menutup rapat-rapat informasi mengenai hal yang satu ini kepada media. Namun, berhembus kabar ada sejumlah lokasi romantis yang akan menjadi tempat mereka memadu kasih setelah resmi menjadi pasangan suami istri. 

Perkiraan lokasi tersebut, yakni The Seychelles, Kenya, Mustique, sebuah tempat Australia, Great Barrier Reef. Atau Pulau Corfu di Yunani, villa di Tuscany dan The Scilly Isles, pantai yang terletak di barat daya Inggris. Para pencari berita pun dikabarkan berlomba-lomba untuk mendapatkan gambar ekslusif momen honeymoon Pangeran dan Putri yang mendapat gelar The Duke dari Ratu Elizabeth II.

Berbagai kejaran paparazzi akan menjadi tekanan baru bagi mereka, di mana ke depannya mereka hidup penuh dengan sorotan media. Demikian seperti dikutip AP, Sabtu (30/4/2011).

Seperti halnya Putri Diana, yang diburu oleh paparazzi, hingga kematiannya dalam sebuah kecelakaan mobil di Paris pada 1997. Diana menghembuskan nafas terakhirnya saat berusia 36 tahun.

http://international.okezone.com/read/2011/04/30/414/451717/inilah-tempat-pangeran-william-kate-honeymoon