USA Today’s Barnes On Hilary Duff & Britney Spears

USA Today music writer Ken Barnes took part in an online chat with readers on Tuesday, where he was asked about Hilary Duff’s new album. “Some great pop-rock choruses on the record– in the youthful pop ranks, I’d put Hilary pretty close to Avril Lavigne, not up to Michelle Branch, but way above Ashlee Simpson and in another league from the skank brigade,” he remarked. Barnes also weighed in on Britney Spears. “To me, she’s transcended record stardom to become a tabloid celebrity,” he opined. “If she’s able to concoct enough ‘events’ to accompany a new record, she’ll get attention–the video channels will always bite, radio will be more cautious.” Read the entire transcript here.