Methods of Distraction

New Year

First off, I am terribly sorry about the lack of posts. The end of the year is pretty hectic and I've been trying to catch up.

Now on to the actual post -

The end of the year is typically the time for music publications and reviewers to discuss and list the best and worst of the past year. Mine will be in this Sunday's paper. I have been reading several best and worst lists in other publications and one list in particular shocked me. I have been a subscriber of this particular magazine for more than a decade and have watched it steadily decline. This year's best list (of both singles and albums) was pretty run-of-the-mill (as I'm sure many of our readers will find mine), until I read Britney Spears on both lists. Now, I have heard Ms. Spears' latest album and, while I did not review it, felt it was flat and relied far too heavily on production, as the majority of her previous works have. Unlike her previous releases, this one even lacked a catchy tune. I want to know how not only the first single, but also the entire album could be listed in anyone's tops of the year. There are so many other albums/songs out there that have deserved the distinction more.