Perusing a supermarket tabloid today I was reminded that 10 years ago this month Britney Spears' first album was released. As I write this, I'm again listening to ...BABY ONE MORE TIME (yes, from start to finish.) Reluctantly, I have to say this: much as I wanted to hate this album when it came out in 1999 (and again tonight), it's just not that hateable. The album is well-produced and I'm forced to admit there was a brief moment in time when Britney Spears' vocals actually approached something akin to singing--key word "approached" since it's all vo-coded and processed like the Velveeta cheese her music has always been.
Musically, ...BABY ONE MORE TIME is completely corporate feel-good, sanitized-for-your-protection, hooky bubbly pop. It's a weird combo of understandably top-40 hits with pure camp bullshit like "E-Mail My Heart" (what a groaner) and the final track on which Britney, inexplicably, covers Sonny & Cher's "The Beat Goes On."
I still think the album cover is extraordinarily vulgar pop kiddie porn, with a beaming, slightly cross-eyed Britney on her knees, too-short skirt hitched up to here and the none-too-subtle shadowy opening between her thighs inviting every pervy uncle to feel good about ogling her no-no parts. I still think Britney's mother should have been locked up for pimping her underage daughter(s)--look at the fate of poor Jamie-Lynn! And I still question if there's ever been any "there" to Britney Spears beyond the packaging and marketing and generic video whoring (OK, arguably she was once a quite good dancer.)
I couldn't recommend this album to save my life since, as I mentioned, this is manufactured corporate poison. Nonetheless, I can admit that my pal Abi and I still swap dance mixes of more recent vintage Britney tracks. Clearly I am not entirely immune to the charms of Ms. Spears.
For the moment, I'll just tip my hat to the batshit crazy, ratty weave, half-dressed maniac who gave up her kids for another ride on the short bus to fame.
You are too much for me, Britney; I wish I knew how to quit you.
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