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Posted by: Jordan Lee 15th April 2020, 12:43 PM

SO! I’m listening to Glory in full this afternoon and after that I’ll have completed my full Britney album listens and I’ll start with my rankings.

Genuinely loved delving back into her catalogue and finding so many gigantic pop smashes in the album tracks and falling back in love with all her singles too. She is THE pop princess

I will be revealing albums in 9th and 8th place this evening!

Predictions on what will come out on top! And what album will be first out!

Posted by: Jonjo 15th April 2020, 12:58 PM

Excited for this!!

I'm gonna guess an In The Zone win with Britney Jean a close 9th.

Posted by: Jordan Lee 15th April 2020, 05:05 PM

9TH PLACE BRITNEY JEAN. (Score 3/10).



Unsurprisingly, in last place is the second most recent album to be released by Britney. Before I compiled my own rate of her albums this seemed to be the album I seen at the bottom of most lists from fans and critics alike and I can see why after hearing it in it’s entirety. It’s an easy last place for me.

It’s her second self tiled record and described by her at the time of release as being her most personal album. For me it kind of just feels empty. There’s honestly next to no standouts on the album at all which is rare for a Britney album. For a self titled album it doesn’t have much personality or spark behind it. It’s like a selection of tracks what would’ve been left off other studio albums made to be one album. It’s pretty faceless and like a half assed attempt at an album tbh. I guess it’s just that album pretty much every major artist has one era what just passes me by and I don’t get and for Britney this is that album. Anyone could’ve put the vocals on these songs though and they still would’ve sounded the same tbh. It’s just devoid of anything.

At a push I’d say Alien and Perfume are passable but the rest of it I can leave.

Work Bitch is also probably one of my least favourite lead she’s done too. There’s also some questionable moments on there vocally like Passenger for instance what isn’t even her voice!

Commercially, the album is her lowest peaking studio album to date in the UK where it debuted at #34 and spent just two weeks in the entire top 100 (also a record for Britney for fewest weeks on the top 100 albums). In the US the album debuted at #4 on the Hot 100 which was also at the time of release her lowest peaking album on that chart to date. I can’t say I’m surprised at its commercial performance either it’s definitely not an album what would win non fans over.

Singles wise the album contained the UK top ten single Work Bitch which debuted at #7 (but would fall to 37 the next week then never trouble the top 40 again) pretty much the definition of a fanbase hit in the pre streaming era.

Posted by: Nick F1 15th April 2020, 05:15 PM

Poor brave Britney Jean

I'm not enjoying that much the slow songs from the album. BUt dance songs are killers tbh.

Especially Work Bitch and Til It's Gone. The latter should have been single

Posted by: Hauspital* 15th April 2020, 05:38 PM

Omg so excited for this thread!

The correct choice for last place It has some nice gems (Alien and Perfume - as you mentioned!) but on the whole it is a mess. Also since learning that half the vocals aren't even her... I think it's lost even more affection from me.

Glory out next please ~

Posted by: Jordan Lee 15th April 2020, 06:58 PM

8TH PLACE - FEMME FATALE (Score 4.5/10)


Britney’s seventh studio album and her first to be released in the 10s decade. The album topped the Billboard 200 charts in the US and also become her first album in the US to contain 3 top ten singles! It contained some great moments which were largely the singles released.

It’s UK performance was more modest however. The album debuted at #8 and would spend just 9 weeks inside the entire top 100 which at the time of release become her shortest album chart run on the chart.

Singles wise Hold It Against Me topped the US singles charts debuting at #1 and making Britney the second female artist after Mariah to get two #1 debuts on the singles charts. Till The World Ends and I Wanna Go would also manage great chart success in the US getting #3 and #7 peaks respectively.

Hold It Against Me would give her another top ten single however peaking at #6 and Till The World Ends gave her a #21 hit here although it spent longer on the chart than Hold It Against Me. In 2015 I believe we had sales info stating it was the highest selling UK hit of the era. Confirmation on if this is still the case is welcome!

I Wanna Go never troubled the top 100 here however.

The reason why the albums ranked so low is aside from the singles there’s not much else on offer. The album tracks are quite meh and the production isn’t very strong either compared to some of the albums it followed. It’s a tad too long as an album and it didn’t need as many tracks as it got in my opinion. The non single highlights are probably Trip To Your Heart and He About To Lose Me. The rest of the album though I likely won’t revisit much until I do another entire albums relisten. In places it’s also got the “faceless” kind of feel to it where some tracks don’t feel very classic Britney or as if she was heavily involved in the era either.

Also I think the production on this is more trend following than trend setting which again is why I’ve placed it towards the bottom of my list.

Fun fact this is weirdly her only chart topping studio album in Australia! Literally today years old when I found this out.

Posted by: Hauspital* 15th April 2020, 10:36 PM

I agree with your write up of Femme Fatale too. The singles are amazing, but it has a lot of filler in it.

'He About To Lose Me' is one of her best ever songs though. It's a stunner and stands out even more being on such a beat-thumping album

Posted by: Jordan Lee 15th April 2020, 10:47 PM

It does! Would’ve really stood out as a single choice too I think.

Always a bit confusing that this album has such high peaking US singles yet here a Britney single missed the top 100 that went top ten in the US! Up until this era it always seemed her singles at least peaked much higher here although I’m guessing her high peakers may have all come during the single pre order days?


Albums in 7th and 6th place to be revealed tomorrow. Without giving too much away the easiest part of this list was definitely deciding the bottom 2 albums.

Everything else for me is great and it was more difficult to order the albums coming next...

Posted by: Jonjo 15th April 2020, 11:54 PM

I have a soft spot for 'Britney Jean', ngl. BUTTTTT as a Britney album? I don't like to think of it as one.

'Now That I Found You', 'Brightest Morning Star', 'Work Bitch', 'Alien', 'Perfume' & something else were all songs she wanted to keep on the record and actually bothered recording I believe. They're in the highlights of the album for sure. But I do love 'Passenger' a lot. 'Brightest Morning Star' is so cute.

Also, how can we forget the ICONIC typo on the tracklisting on the back of the cover "Hold On TITE"!

---

'Femme Fatale' is such a good album. I personally think there are plenty of tracks to go to (but I understand the "could be done by anyone" critique). The first 3 singles, 'How I Roll' & 'Trip To Your Heart' (those 2 are up there as some of my favourite Britney songs.) 'He About To Lose Me' is stunning. 'Big Fat Bass' is ridiculously infectious. I like this album a lot tbh, but it's always bottom half of the album rank for me, too!

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Predictions? I'm going to guess 'Circus', 'Glory' & 'Blackout' are up next (but 3 albums you'll appreciate I think)! I dunno, I get the feeling that you'll really like 'Baby...', 'Oops!...', 'In The Zone' & 'Britney' more than those.

Posted by: kyesolating* 16th April 2020, 12:43 AM

i don’t think either of these albums are her finest work (some of it isn’t even her work oops) but femme fatale gave us up n down!!! which is a classic cult britney fave + selfish, too

fun fact: he about to lose me is kylie minogue’s favourite track from femme fatale x

Posted by: Jordan Lee 16th April 2020, 04:17 PM

7TH PLACE - GLORY. (Score 6.5/10)


Glory, which is the most recent studio album released by Britney comes in 7th place on my list.

An improvement on the material on both Femme Fatale and Britney Jean for me. This to me feels like Britney was actually involved in the album in some ways and definitely has more personality and spark to it. There’s some great highs on this the opener Invatation is a great sultry opener, Just Luv Me is a single that never was! Man On The Moon is an Imogen heap sounding at times bop And there’s also some great fun moments on there too like the Oops I Did It Again referencing Clumsy, Do You Wanna Come over and Slumber Party.

As an album though I think it’s a tad too long. The 17 track edition means there’s a few skips on it which is why it’s ranked here on my list. But for a Britney album released in 2016 it’s a lot better than you’d think it would be. I didn’t have the highest of expectations listening to this but she really found her spark and come back stronger and more like the 00s decade Britney with this album.

Make Me.. was a terrible lead single choice for this album too. One of the most dull tracks on a pure pop album leading the campaign was a choice.

Commercially the album would give Britney her fourth #2 peak in the UK with a studio album. It would then fall out the top 40 the following week and spend just 3 weeks inside the UK Top 100. The albums lead single also didn’t make the Top 40. It’s Britneys only studio album to not only not contain a UK Top ten but a UK Top 40 single. In the US the album peaked at #3 which was an improvement on Britney Jeans peak there!

Interesting fact: This is her only studio album (so far) to get a higher UK peak position to US peak position.

Posted by: Nick F1 16th April 2020, 04:23 PM

Well at least Glory is not second worst. To me this album is absolutely return to the form. From production to vocals, she really slayed this album.
I don't skip any track (actually sometimes Clumsy and Private Show)


The ultimate highlights for me are: What You Need, Change Your Mind, Better and Love Me Down. All 4 are already among my fave Britneys tracks. So damn fineee

Posted by: Jordan Lee 16th April 2020, 04:27 PM

Glory and the album what’s in 6th place are very close tbh!

I agree it’s a definite return to form for her though and it’s clear she had more involvement in this era too compared to the other two albums it followed. Strong album for sure just a few tracks too long.

Posted by: Hauspital* 16th April 2020, 04:56 PM

I think Glory is a place too high personally. It's got some nice moments (the two singles are amongst my faves from Britney) but a lot of the album is skip-able for me. I think it's fairly overrated by fans oop - many seeing at "her return to amazing form" when it's really not.

Posted by: Jonjo 16th April 2020, 05:08 PM

^

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'Glory' is the 3rd in the holy trinity for me. The production is current and amazing throughout the whole album. I can do without 'Private Show' and 'What I Need' (although the latter is fun!) But everything else? Amazing.

The bonus tracks again, proving that her team pick killer bonus tracks 'Liar' and 'If I'm Dancing' in particular. Top 3 on the album - with 'Liar' being my fave. 'Love Me Down', 'Do You Wanna Come Over?' and in particular 'Just Luv Me' (ger vulnerability is stunning) were single worthy. With 'Man On the Moon', 'Change Your Mind (No Seas Cortes)' and 'Better' being amongst her best album tracks!

I love this album so much!

Loving this rundown, Jordan!

Posted by: Jordan Lee 16th April 2020, 05:58 PM

SHOCK RESULT!!!!!! ..........














06. BLACKOUT (Score 7/10)

A controversial opinion for sure I’m guessing. But I’ll explain my reasoning behind this. This album
was one I listened to more than once! I gave it a re listen to make sure I really was putting it where I was.

Her most critically acclaimed album and within the fandom it’s also probably her most popular album? Yet for me I could only rank it 6th.

I think for me the fact the album is quite urban sounding and hip hop like (the most of any of her albums I’d say) may be why I rank it here. It’s bold, and it’s daring and different to anything she’s done before. But I found I didn’t really enjoy the album tracks much. Like tracks such as Get Naked and Freakshow I really wasn’t keen on at all. Heaven on Earth Hot As Ice are my non single highlights. The other album tracks I haven’t mentioned were also just things I wasn’t like blown away by or felt the need to replay the way I did with some of her other albums. Weirdly I actually think Glory has higher highs than this does in the album tracks but this is far more consistent probably as it’s a shorter album there’s less skips. I wouldn’t rate any song on this above a 9/10 aside from Piece Of Me though.

Commercially the album gave Britney a #2 peak in the UK. It also would be her first album at the time not to get a #1 peak in the US (chart rules or so said to be the reason). In the UK it ended up going close to platnium status so it didn’t flop but it was her lowest seller at the time of release. (Did it go platinum in the end here?).

Singles wise we managed to get two top 3 hits in the UK with Gimme More (3) and Piece Of Me (2).
In the US Gimme More would also be top 3 hit for her also peaking at #3 and featuring the iconic opening line “Its Britney Bitch”. Piece Of Me is my personal favourite from this era a very personal song what’s telling of her life. Piece Of Me was also the last song to be recorded for the Blackout album. Thank god it made it on there! Break The Ice which seems to be a fan favourite single from her isn’t one of my favourites. We also have Radar which despite it being a circus era single I still associate heavily with this album. Radar is a highlight for this album for me would’ve probably been a safer bet for single 3!

Props to Britney for releasing this album at all tbh given what went on in her personal life during the year of its release. But after really listening too the album I think it’s overrated. Or maybe it’s just a case of certain albums I’m ranking ahead of it being underrated?

I’m guessing this will perhaps be the *shock* exit (The Laura White of this rate!).

Posted by: Nancy 🍾 16th April 2020, 06:27 PM

We're not friends anymore.

Bye.

*slams the door*

Posted by: Jonjo 16th April 2020, 06:34 PM

'Blackout' is a masterpiece. One of the most influential albums this side of the millennium. It's by far the most artistically striking and it really helps knowing that she executive produced the whole thing and I kinda hear & see that it was clearly a coping mechanism for her, working on this album (similarly to how Ari treated the 'thank u, next' album for example - just working to get her mind off of things).

It's a body of work and I love that the most about it. It's not necessarily about "the hits", it just works as a cohesive, full album listen. It was released at such a pivotal time for her and I'm so grateful for this album. I doubt we'll get anything as personal or creatively and artistically risking again. Such a great album.

I'm not surprised to see it here. I kinda expected it to be as I get the feeling you're more of a pure pop/urban pop fan.

Posted by: Jordan Lee 17th April 2020, 12:51 AM

Blackout is cohesive! I’ll say that’s one of its strongest points.

I did struggle to distinguish between the album tracks though as they are very similar.

When I gave the album another spin it was definitely better but just lacked something for me.

I think if I ever do another rate this is one album what could really climb / grow a lot in a ANTI by Rihanna kind of way.

I almost had Blackout as 7th tbh but Glory has its low points and isn’t as cohesive as what this is despite it having higher highs it has lower lows than what this does and I had to give Blackout some praise for being so bold and daring too.

Posted by: Jordan Lee 17th April 2020, 02:34 PM

SO WE ENTER THE TOP 5....... (and in 5th place we have











05. OOPS... I DID IT AGAIN! (Score 7.5/10)

Britney’s second studio album which turns 20 this year is the next album to be eliminated.

The album is pure joyous pop album from start to finish stacked with hits like the title track, her most personal track to date at time of release stronger and the cute but slightly forgettable single Lucky.

Other high points of the album for me were What You See is What You Get (a real single that never was), One Kiss From You and Where Are You Now.
I was also always a fan of the Shania penned Don’t Let Me Be The Last To Know. A great album for sure it’s consistent throughout but the only 10/10 moments for me are the title track and Stronger.

Tbh the only real low point on the album is I Can’t Get No Satisfaction that just adds nothing to the album tbh. I think it’s a great follow up to her debut but the reason that’s still to come is because it has an element of charm to it and I prefer the singles from that era too.


Commercially the album had a gigantic sales record in the US for highest sales in debut week for a female artist (Adele would overtake but it took 15 years for this to happen). In the UK the album is on sales of over 900,000 copies and it would become Britneys second studio album to just miss out on a UK #1 peak.

Interesting fact: The album at #1 when this debuted at #2 was Whitney Houston with “The Greatest Hits”.

Posted by: Jonjo 17th April 2020, 03:09 PM

Interesting. I thought this'd be safely inside your top 4! I love this album and until recently I thought it was weaker than BOMT, only slightly though, but I think the highs are higher on this than they are BOMT for me.

LOVE those 3 album track choices and they're the exact same ones that I'd pick. 'Where Are You Now' is so underrated... THAT note vocalsney!! *.*

Agreed about 'I Can't Get No' being the weak link on an otherwise brilliant pop album.

Fun Fact: It took me a good 7 or 8 years to realise that 'I Can't Get No...' was actually a cover :')

Posted by: Hauspital* 17th April 2020, 04:45 PM

Oh no - this was going well, but Blackout 6th It's easily my favourite album from her and one of the defining pop albums of the 21st Century! Hopefully it will grow on you over time :'(

Oops.. is nice - i've been giving it a bit more time recently.

Posted by: kyesolating* 17th April 2020, 06:45 PM

glory is too low for me, it’s amazing - i really did think it was a return to form

but yaaaassss jordan - blackout is not the one.

Posted by: Jordan Lee 17th April 2020, 07:58 PM

For instance where would you rank Blackout out of her albums?

It’s good don’t get me wrong but isn’t it just like a bit samey all the way through. I found it really hard to be able to tell certain album tracks apart tbh.

Posted by: Jordan Lee 17th April 2020, 08:56 PM

04. ... BABY ONE MORE TIME. (Score 8 /10)

The album what started it all off. A life changing and defining pop album what’s undoubtedly iconic. A commercial hit selling 1m + copies in the UK (her only studio album to do so in the UK). The album for me had a flawless run of singles.

The title track is one of the most iconic and successful songs of all time, sometimes is a cute breezy teen ballad about falling in real love for the first time, Crazy and that STOP remix and the final single Born To Make You Happy all make this album what it is but the album tracks too you just can’t help but sing along too.

Soda Pop, I Will Be There and I Will Still Love You. Then we have Deep In My Heart and E-mail my heart too.

This really is just a great pop album and that’s all there is too it. It’s obviously dated in terms of how it sounds and quite of it’s time. But there’s a certain charm to this album what I really just love and if I was to listen to an album for a good singalong this would be the one I’d pick!

I honestly expected this album to be quite patchy but it took me by surprise by how strong it sounded.

Posted by: Jonjo 17th April 2020, 09:11 PM

I Will Be There and Deep In My Heart are fantastic! So many memories attached to both. Soda Pop is so much fun!

So a top 3 of Britney, In The Zone & Circus. YAY for the Britney love I think 'Circus' is fun and ITZ is one of the best albums of all time. Intrigued to see what order you rank them

Posted by: Jordan Lee 18th April 2020, 12:42 AM

UPDATE.

I know what my favourite is I’m just torn on 2nd and 3rd.

Relistening to the albums in question and then revealing the results of the final 3 tomorrow
I also did this with Blackout and Glory as well! A few were certs from the off like my favourite never changed once I’d heard it, nor did the bottom two! But 6-7place and 2-3 have proved tricky.

Guess away! Thanks for the commentary Jonjo, Haus and all others too!

Posted by: Hauspital* 18th April 2020, 09:34 AM

BOMT is a fantastic debut album. She really introduced herself in style the singles are all 10/10 and Deep In My Heart is a bop I love how you mention the album's charm - it's what makes it so timeless imo!

Posted by: Jordan Lee 18th April 2020, 03:44 PM

03. CIRCUS. (Score 9/10)

Britney’s 6th studio album and the final one released in the 00s decade is the next album to be eliminated. But it comes in a very respectable third place.

I was very very impressed with this. For years I’ve pretty much gotten this and Blackout confused with one another. This is like fun Britney is back. She wasted no time in recording the follow up to the follow up to Blackout and the result was a pure pop album what is just fun! My highlights were Out From Under and Unusual You. Blur however may be my favourite track on this whole album! It really deserved single treatment tbh.

However the singles released from this album were all great tbh. Womanizer is my second favourite lead she’s done and brought back the fun visuals we were used to from previous eras too which is something which the Blackout era lacked in. The follow up and title track is autobiographical and describes Britneys love for being a performer. Then we have If U Seek Amy which is pure genius and somehow managed radio play despite her saying ..... well we know what she says now!

Yeah this era and album overall is just fun! But it’s also like progressive from some of her earlier work too. But it’s definitely for me got more personality and feels more classic Britney than what Blackout did.

Commercially the album gave Britney yet another US #1 album. The lead single Womanizer also become a US #1 single something she hadn’t achieved since Baby One More Time.

In the UK we got an iconic X Factor Performance of Womanizer (back when the show was like huge!). This helped the song peak
At #3. The album was released in Q4 and had strong competition so it did only manage a #4 peak in the UK but it did end up outselling the Blackout album.. so it was a return to commercial success for her.

Interesting fact: Circus was the theme of the UK album charts in the week of the release of this album. Take That would debut at #1 with their album “The Circus”.

The Killers and Leona Lewis would make up #2 and #3 with their albums Day and Age and Spirit respectively.

Posted by: Jordan Lee 18th April 2020, 05:18 PM

Throwback to this circus era gem! The highly publicised X factor slot.

Never mind the lip syncing. What I wanna know is what are her eight number one singles as discussed in the intro..

Posted by: Nick F1 18th April 2020, 05:30 PM

maybe on radio chart she has 8 number ones

Posted by: Jonjo 18th April 2020, 05:49 PM

I enjoy 'Circus' a lot. However, I'd love it more had they switched out 'Lace & Leather', 'Radar', 'My Baby' & 'Bleurgh' for the bonus track trinity of 'Amnesia', 'Phonography' & 'Quicksand'!

'Lace & Leather', 'Rock Me In' & 'My Baby' should have been the bonus tracks. RMI is so good. But I can definitely see why that was a bonus track. 'My Baby' is so cute and adorable. It didn't deserve to be on the main album, but it was so personal to Brit (she wrote it for her kids) that it would've been a cute bonus track.

ALL the talk belongs to the bonus tracks and the single order on this album lmao. (Oh and the https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1x58WPgKU4 which featured 'Mannequin' *.*)

Singles should have been:

01. Womanizer
02. Amnesia
03. Out From Under
04. Circus
05. Unusual You

If you haven't heard 'Quicksand', please do!



---

I like that XF performance a lot. She looked so happy to just be there.

Posted by: Jordan Lee 18th April 2020, 09:31 PM

BRITNEY vs IN THE ZONE.....

Revealing my #1 tomorrow at mid-day (or close to then...)

Just writing up reviews and stuff of them now.

Posted by: Hauspital* 18th April 2020, 09:34 PM

Circus is AMAZING. My peak Britney stanning was during that era.

Omg that X Factor interview though "how do you think the contestants did?" / "yeah i met loads of people and i love london yeah " <3 what a TIME TO BE ALIVE.

The entire era was amazing. So many album track gems too - Amnesia being the best.

FORCED TO STAN.

Posted by: Jordan Lee 19th April 2020, 11:58 AM

(02. Britney 9.5/10)

Britneys third album was a self titled one! Arriving in 2001 around a year and a half after the oops era; this is quite the era for me where Britney felt like she was a tad more in control and less manufactured creatively.

We got quite a controversial choice of lead single with the grown up and sexual anthem I’m A Slave 4 U. One of her boldest moments in my opinion of her career was to put that lead single at that point in her career but she did that and artistically it paid off! Overprotected would follow that and is definitely my favourite single from this era very autobiographical and a real moment in her entire discography for me the video would also play my favourite album track Bombastic Love at the start of this (I was like blown away when I worked out where I’d heard the music from Bombastic Love before hand).

I’m Not A Girl... Not Yet A Woman had Dido amongst its writers. It’s a cute moment and another track what fitted her at the time considering her age at the time of release. This would be the highest charting UK single from the era when it peaked at #2. This was her first era not to contain a UK number one single

I Love Rock and Roll and Boys were questionable single choices for me and probably rank close to the bottom of the era well I Love Rock and Roll definitely does. Brit just ain’t a covers act.

Lonely, Cinderella, Bombastic Love and Before The Goodbye are also all huge sounding bops what show a different side to her.

This is a very strong album in general though. It’s aged well and definitely feels like a natural follow up to her first two eras. The production has a current feel to it from a 2001 album it doesn’t sound like it’s actually nearing 20 years old.

Commercially this gave her another #1 album in the US. In the UK it would become her first album to peak at #4.

Chart fact: Steps would get the #1 album that week with their greatest hits collection and #2 would also be a greatest hits collection by Pink Floyd. Sting debuted at #3 with his album.




SO THAT MEANS WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!

BRITNEY ALBUMS RATE WINNER - IN THE ZONE (10/10) 11 IF I COULD


It’s 2003! Britney and Madonna’s kiss at the VMAs is the pop culture talking point (poor Xtina who also kissed her) and Britney is continuing her reign on pop music. Her first album to be released as a woman in her 20s we seen an even more grown up side to Britney.

The albums lead single would also feature Madonna her first lead to have a featured artist on there. For me I forgot how good this song actually was it snaps as does the music video we love elaborate choreography.

However the second and third singles would be what become staples of Britneys entire career. Toxic which almost wasn’t the second single (outrageous and I got that boom boom were apparently the labels choices). Toxic however and that intro would change pop music forever. The song was rejected by Kylie (thankfully as it as Brit written all over it). The song would become Britneys fourth UK #1. It also gave Britney her first and to date only Grammy win (Best Dance Recording 2005). The video also features iconic scenes like cabin crew Britney and the diamond Britney!

Her signature ballad Everytime would give Britney her fifth UK #1 marking the only time she would get back to back number one singles in her career. The music video for this would also spark controversy but be a huge pop culture moment. The bath tub scene!

The album was packed with so many potential single 4 choices however. Breathe On Me not getting a push was crazy! One of her best ever album tracks for me and something what I think would’ve been huge! Shadow is also a moment on this for me as are Showdown and Touch Of My Hand.

Touch Of My Hand would be the first song Britney recorded for this album which she claims set the tone. I think this is one of her strongest ever offerings too a real bold moment and a masturbation anthem too.

To be honest, there was only one winner for this rate. It’s an album what just has everything. It’s production what is slightly Bollywood / Middle Eastern esque at times just makes it for me. It’s also grown up and shows real progression it has so much too it. Even outrageous what’s classed a low point is still a great track despite its producer and sounds like the inspiration for PCDs Buttons. I can tell Britney was in control and perhaps at her artistic peak in this era too. Her choice of toxic to be a single was genius. It’s not an of it’s time album now, there’s an ahead of its time element to this and I can hear a lot of songs released in the late 00s and early 10s in album tracks on here.

Chart fact: The US got this right! The album debuted at #1. Becoming Britneys fourth number one album which at the time I believe set a record in terms of her being the first female to get her first four albums to peak at #1.

In the UK however this debuted #14! Again a greatest hits album was #1 this week (Michael Jackson’s number ones). Even the likes of Pink and Atomic Kitten would chart higher in their second weeks, Busted, Red Hot Chilli Peppers and Kylie would get new entries in the top ten and even G Unit would outsell Brit in week one. A TRAVESTY!

It’s peak however isn’t as bad as it sounds as sales were very competitive with it being a q4 release. The album would also outsell Britney in the UK and is her third biggest studio album. 34 weeks later the album would also manage to peak just one place higher at #13. But with 29 weeks in the top 40 we did get a hugely successful era for her.

So In The Zone wins!! Let’s stream to celebrate.

Posted by: Jordan Lee 19th April 2020, 05:44 PM

And that’s my reviews all done!!

Hope I have some people in agreement at what the best album was.


FULL RESULTS

9th Britney Jean
8th Femme Fatale
7th Glory
6th Blackout
5th Oops... I Did It Again
4th ...Baby One More Time
3rd Circus
2nd Britney

WINNER - IN THE ZONE.

Posted by: Nick F1 19th April 2020, 07:02 PM

We definitely agree on the best and on the worst album

My rank would be

1 In The Zone
2 Glory
3 Blackout
4 Oops!...I Did It Again
5 Circus
6 Britney
7 Femme Fatale
8 ...Baby One More Time
9 Britney Jean

9 and 8 have some songs for which I don't really care that much (album tracks)

7, 6, 5 always switch positions from time to time, depends on my mood

3 and 4 were 2 and 3 before Glory came out, which has definitely joined into my holy trinity.

ITZ remains the best and most perfect!

Posted by: Hauspital* 19th April 2020, 09:52 PM

Great top 2! I would've put Britney just ahead of ITZ, but the latter is undeniable.

What a fantastic thread this has been. Absolutely loved your commentaries and your enthusiasm for her discography. Thoroughly enjoyed following this, Jord <3

Posted by: Jordan Lee 20th April 2020, 12:15 AM

Thank you to all who followed and for your comments too ☺️

It’s been great rediscovering Britney and listening to her so closely. Probably the most I’ve ever listened to her to be honest but it’s made lockdown very enjoyable!

Posted by: Jay ☆ 20th April 2020, 10:01 AM

Fantastic choices for your Top 2 albums!

Posted by: Jonjo 20th April 2020, 11:34 AM

A lot of your album highlights are the same as mine, so I stan a lo of those choices! I love that you've put 'Britney' in the top 2 tbh! It feels underrated and is one I always think would rank top 2, but when I do a ranking it usually ends up behind 'Blackout' & 'In The Zone' (and now 'Glory'). But it's a great album. The album could've done without ILRNR, but that VIDEO *.* Honestly one of my fave Brit videos. 'Before The Goodbye' is a huge fave of mine. Gives me Eurovision vibes.

'In The Zone' is flawless. Top 10 of all time. The middle-eastern influences are glorious. It's the first album where I truly felt the Janet Jackson inspiration from her. Sublime and stunning work!

I loved this countdown! Thank you for sharing it

Posted by: Jordan Lee 20th April 2020, 10:32 PM

Just realised you literally predicted it in the first comment

Posted by: Euphorique 21st April 2020, 01:04 PM

Great post! I definitely relate to you struggling with how to rank your favs - I often also struggle to rank the ones I love the most because they're part of such different eras and I listen to them whenever a different mood strikes. Its "Oops" "ITZ" and "Circus". My holy trinity. Quite similar to yours really.

Posted by: Jordan Lee 22nd April 2020, 04:03 AM

It’s great to see someone else with Circus in the hit holy trinity! For me that may well have been the biggest surprise to the entire rate. I didn’t expect to enjoy that album as much as I did as a whole piece after buying it over 11 year ago I really just slept on it as a whole piece tbh. Feel like a real fraud!

Posted by: Jay ☆ 4th May 2020, 08:44 AM

Only just noticed this sacrilegious statement

Posted by: Jordanlee 25th March 2024, 10:58 AM

Almost four year since I posted this!

However I did this again not too long ago (it was actually when I got the book!) and my opinions have slightly changed (so here’s my re-ranking)

1. In The Zone (=)
2. Britney (=)
3. Circus (=)
4. Blackout (+2)
5. Baby One More Time (-1)
6. Oops I Did It Again (-1)
7. Glory (=)
8. Femme Fatale (=)
9. Britney Jean (=)

Blackout definitely sounds better now than it did when I did this initially and I can more see why it’s a fan favourite (the book as well is very much in support of Blackout too which may have played a part in my new found affection. I still don’t think it’s her absolute best but I do enjoy it more now.

I think the top 7 here all make a somewhat decent listen though. Glory now with the extension does have some highs on there but it is quite lengthy a listen and despite her feeling more passionate re this album than Britney Jean and Femme Fatale I still don’t think it’s necessarily her at her best.

I still unashamedly love the first two albums despite the dated feel there’s just too much nostalgia attached for me to feel negatively re them.

The top 3 though are all so killer. Circus feels really underrated! Britney has some of her best albums tracks of her whole career id actually say Britney is the album where the singles aren’t the immediate highlights.

In The Zone is one of the best female 00s albums and I’ll forever feel gutted of its peak but to me that’s the ultimate Britney album.

Intrigued at others rankings and to see if any commenters when I first posted this have changed views.