I even stuck by Britney even during those tumultuous Kevin years, followed by last year's level of craziness only equalled by Michael Jackson. And yet now Britney seems to be back, after winning 3 Moonmen at the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards this past Sunday. So why would I, someone whose Britney playlist on iTunes is only succeeded in number of songs by U2 and Madonna, be unwilling to be jumping on the bandwagon with Britney as she hits the comeback trail? Find out, after the jump!
Don't get me wrong, I'm all for comebacks. I was all for Mariah's big comeback a few years ago after her much-publicized bout with "exhaustion". Pink is also enjoying a wondrous resurgence right now with her single "So What", after her previous two albums faltered in sales. Heck, the world even decided to forgive U2 after Pop.
Yet the difference between these people and Britney Spears right now, is that they actually did something creatively to get back in the good graces with the public. Carey released arguably the greatest album of her career with The Emancipation of Mimi. U2 did the same with All That You Can't Leave Behind. Meanwhile, Pink has released her most commercially viable and catchy single in years, and looks to continue her string of critically-lauded albums. All in all, these three, along with various other artists, have had successful comeback stories, not because of hype, but because they created something that proved they were worthy of the public's attention once again.
So far, all that Britney has done is regain her sanity. Aside from that, Britney has done very little to get back in the good graces of the public aside from catching the Mariah Carey Express back from Crazyville, and giggling beside Russell Brand and an elephant in the MTV VMA commercials. All of this is fine and dandy, but it still doesn't equate to anything to compensate for the past few years of crazy we've had to absorb, let alone prove that Britney is even a shadow of the dominant force in music she once was.
This week's past VMA's didn't offer anything better either. While the show was completely tailored to showcase Britney's "comeback", it did very little to showcase any reason why we should be excited about it. In fact, her multiple victories, including for Video of the Year for "Piece of Me" (for which she seemed awfully nonchalant for someone who was "totally not expecting this"), only showcase how meaningless and superficial the Moonmen have become since the days when truly innovative videos, like REM's "Losing My Religion" would reap the awards. Surely "Piece of Me" wasn't the best video nominated, it won simply because Britney's appearance would gain the most hype.
The biggest backer of Britney's return, of course, has been MTV. The network seems to have confirmed with the VMA's that to them, she's this generation's Madonna, and they're going to have a long, collaborative relationship just like MTV and Madge have for over 25 years. The only difference is that Madonna earned that relationship by pushing creative boundaries and constantly challenging not only herself, but MTV as well. And while I'll probably be a big fan of whatever Britney comes out with next (scheduled for spring 2009 tentatively), until then, this guy will take the scenic route instead of jumping on the Britney bandwagon.
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