Don't forget that Britney's career was built around shock value. She was one of the first teenage artists to really get into that innocent/****ty mix that gave America's parents a collective heart attack (I can't say how Europe felt about it because I honestly don't know). That is MASSIVE publicity. Honestly, she basically brought that trend into the mainstream.
She still tries to be shocking, but recent efforts have just been...well...pathetic. For example, the "If U Seek Amy" gimmick...is that what she has to do now to get attention? Spell out the f-word? Fantastic job, Brit...
Musically, a lot of her songs are catchy--especially the slick, pulsating electronic ones of the past few years--but her lyrics are filthy and more or less cliche by this point (and the dirtiness makes the few that aren't nasty seem bizarre to say the least). There's no sincerity.
That's what I like about Ayu most of all. Sincerity.
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