Great review!

 

Here's another:

 

Wow! Britney Spears did it again

 

'Circus' puts Brit back on track

 

BY GLENN GAMBOA |glenn.gamboa@newsday.com November 30, 2008

 

 

Don't call it a comeback.

 

"Comeback" doesn't even come close to describing what Britney Spears has done on her new album, arriving in stores Tuesday, her 27th birthday. Not only is "Circus" (Jive) the best album of her career, but it could return her to the kind of massive, multiplatinum sales that she hadn't seen since the turn of the century.

 

"Circus" is overflowing with smart, savvy dance pop -- the kind of hits that she has hinted at in the past with "Toxic" and "I'm a Slave 4 U" -- that creates the perfect escapist soundtrack for these downsized times. All these accomplishments are made that much more incredible considering how low she had sunk -- personally and professionally -- last year with her string of tabloid-worthy exploits and the embarrassment of her clumsy train wreck of a performance on MTV's "Video Music Awards."

 

Her last album, "Blackout," sounded so cobbled together and half-done that many wondered if Spears would even be able to record another album, much less one as impressive as "Circus." Though she worked with essentially the same producers and songwriters this time out, the results are so different that Spears herself -- generally known for her choreography and packaging rather than her studio chops -- must be responsible for the change.The monster hit "Womanizer" is only the beginning of the radio-ready barrage Spears is about to throw down. The title track, written by Dr. Luke, is another sleek dance-floor filler, as is the dizzying "Mannequin." And she has the disco-influenced "Lace and Leather," with its scratch guitar and Chic-inspired bass line.

 

"Lace and Leather" is another example of the biggest surprise of "Circus" -- the way that it nods to previous classics before taking the songs in a new, contemporary direction. Spears has never been one to look back in her music, but there's a bit of Tina Turner's "River Deep, Mountain High" on "Mmm Papi," a bouncy little multi-culti trifle that telescopes several decades of sugary pop into a little more than three minutes. "Kill the Lights" -- which chronicles her dealings with paparazzi, or maybe one particular paparazzo ex-boyfriend, as she says, "Is that money in your pocket or are you happy to see me?" -- opens with a call-and-response similar to Aretha Franklin's "Respect." And on the bonus track "Amnesia," one of the album's catchiest tracks, Spears comes over like a cross between the Ronettes and Fergie as she coos, "I get amnesia when I'm sitting next to you-ooh-ooh."

 

It's all part of what seems like a new direction for Spears, one that values musicianship. She tackles some ballads, both from Robbie Williams collaborator Guy Sigsworth, that accomplish their missions. "Out From Under" shows how her voice, which is still a bit limited, can carry a song, even with spare accompaniment, while "My Baby" is a bit schmaltzy, as it conveys how Spears is a loving mother now -- the cornerstone of her image rehab.

 

In many ways, "Circus" has Spears switching musical role models. She seems determined to be more like Gwen Stefani, a hit maker who knows how to use her strengths and weaknesses, and less like Madonna, who thrives on shock value and controversy. Yet somehow, Spears has delivered the biggest shock of all -- compelling reasons to reverse her cartoonlike tabloid image and take her seriously as a singer.

 

Forget the release of "Chinese Democracy" as the year's biggest surprise. "Circus" is a Britney Spears album I never expected to hear -- one that matters.

 

BRITNEY SPEARS: "Circus," in stores Tuesday

 

GRADE: B+

 

BOTTOM LINE: A pleasant surprise

 

:w00t: My First thoughts...

 

01: Womanizer Well we all know about this :wub: 9.4

02: Circus The next single and what a fantastic choice :heart: 9.6

03: Out From Under OMG! This is amazing! I LOVE IT! :heart: I missed the Ballad Britney 9.8

04: Kill The Lights Oooh I like it. Very good and another massive dancefloor smash, I can feel it :wub: 9.5

05: Shattered Glass I like the glass effects that are used. But so far not feeling it as much as the other tracks. It's a grower I think/hope! 8.7

06: If U Seek Amy Love it! The lyrics are amazing! :kink: Love it! 9.6

07: Unusual You I like it, but I prefer OFU as far as tehslow tempo'd songs are concerened. But I can tell it's a grower 9.3

08: Blur Not too keen on this tbh. It's boring me actually 5.3

09: MMM Papi Hmmm... not sure what I think of this tbh. It's good but quite forgettable... 7.7

10: Mannequin I like this, but I get what everyone says when they say it's "Over Produced" or whatever! I like it though! 8.5

11: Lace and Leather Oooh this is good! I like it, it's quite weird, but in a good way ;) 8.9

12: My Baby I like this, it's nice. But the lyrics are sorta cheesy :lol: But her voice is so sweet! :wub: 9.1

13: Radar :lol: There's no change in it at all! :blink: But Radar is amazing anyway! :heart: 9.4

14: Rock Me In I love this. It's very Girls Aloud! :o Girls Aloud would kill to have this :wub: 9.7

15: Phonography Love this! It's brilliant, but not as good as Amnesia or Rock Me In, but it's still great! 9.5

16: Amnesia AMAZING! Incredible! Yeah LOVE this! Could very well have been this era's 'Piece of Me' 10

 

Overall: 8.7 out of 10 :w00t: It's amazing! Britney's back on form! It's all her previous albums, rolled into one! AMAZING!

 

Standouts: Amnesia, Rock Me In, Out From Under & If U Seek Amy

Not Keen on: Blur

Edited December 1, 200816 yr by Jonjo Deluxe Ed.

But sales are going to be affected over here :cry:

 

Says in The Sun that Asda have got their Take That stock straight from Universal Music. The guy in our Asda says he doubts they're even stocking Britney's as it hasn't come in today and he's heard they can't get it because of EUK.

 

Not only that but Take That's album is £5.88 in Asda :drama:

In my town Woolworths, WH SMiths & Somerfields weren't stocking either CDs. Morrisons had both. Britney was £10. Take That were £6.99.

 

And Circus wasn't deluxe :( Will I have to buy the deluxe version online?

Edited December 1, 200816 yr by Dan.

WTF. Why?!?

With so many stores not stocking Circus it seems the label and the shops may not have been able to agree on a retail price...

But apparently some people on here got their albums from ASDA. :thinking: TBH it sounds like somethings f***ed up somewhere down the line :(

I got Circus Deluxe from HMV. Zavvi didn't have it, but they didn't seem to have any new releases (no Take That or Same Difference or any other new cds) either. So I assume Zavvi just had a general problem with stock?!

 

Anyhow, I also got Take That's The Circus, but gotta say Britney's is so much better and more enjoyable to listen too than the snooze fest of TT's CD which I gave up listening to half way in favour of Britney :D! I didn't enjoy Blackout at all, but love this :wub: !

 

The chorus of "lace and leather" really reminds me of something. It is gonna bug me till I remember what song it is. I think it is some boyband song from the last 10 years - 5ive or BSB or something lol.

Edited December 1, 200816 yr by Delta*Fan*Mel

I've bought Circus Deluxe edition from HMV online. I'm a bit disappointed with the new album. While its nice to get 16 new tracks, I think the album is a major step back from Blackout. Many of the tracks sounded bland and while there were a few good songs on the album, its no way as credible sounding as Blackout. Sorry guys!!

I got Circus Deluxe from HMV. Zavvi didn't have it, but they didn't seem to have any new releases (no Take That or Same Difference or any other new cds) either. So I assume Zavvi just had a general problem with stock?!

 

Anyhow, I also got Take That's The Circus, but gotta say Britney's is so much better and more enjoyable to listen too than the snooze fest of TT's CD which I gave up listening to half way in favour of Britney :D! I didn't enjoy Blackout at all, but love this :wub: !

 

The chorus of "lace and leather" really reminds me of something. It is gonna bug me till I remember what song it is. I think it is some boyband song from the last 10 years - 5ive or BSB or something lol.

 

Zavvi didn't have it here either. Apparently something happened with their shipping order

Many of the tracks sounded bland and while there were a few good songs on the album, its no way as credible sounding as Blackout.

 

That was my impression on my first listen - I was bored of Blur, Lace and Leather, Mannequin, and was revolted by Mmm Papi ... now Lace and Leather and Blur are shooting up my favourites.

 

I can just imagine the video for 'Out From under' :wub: It's currently my fave track on the album :heart:

(Entertainment Weekly) -- Britney Spears is making a habit of putting out albums with titles that promise more self-revelation than she's ultimately able to provide.

 

The title of Britney Spears' new album, "Circus," promises much, says Entertainment Weekly's Chris Willman.

 

Last fall, she released "Blackout" ... which turned out not to have anything to do with experiencing blackouts. This year, it's "Circus," with a title track that's not about the madhouse her life has become but just a brag about her prowess as a whip-cracking sexual ringmaster.

 

In the studio, however, she's no auteur, and with her producer-writers seemingly calling the creative shots, Spears is only as interesting as they are on any particular day.

 

Initially, that's not interesting enough. "Circus' " first half has hitmakers like Dr. Luke and Max Martin bringing their B game to rote dance tracks like "Shattered Glass" (pronounced glah-ee-ass) and the puerile "If You Seek Amy" (sound it out to hear why it'll be a middle-school sensation).

 

But halfway through, "Circus" shifts from defiant booty calls to subtler material; suddenly, it's a first-rate electro-pop album.

 

The Danja-produced "Blur" is a remarkably pretty song about (finally!) an actual blackout. "Mmm Papi" giddily sets her littlest-girl voice against a guitar right out of 1960s go-go rock.

 

The standout is "Unusual You," a pulsating ballad where a woman of experience finds unexpected love: "Didn't anyone tell you you're supposed to/Break my heart, I expect you to/So why haven't you?" Mostly, Spears still presents herself as fantasy object, but here might be her own fantasy -- of real acceptance.

 

Next time, Britney, flash us more of that.

 

EW Grade: B

My mate got the CD from HMV today. Im waiting for EMA money as much as i want to buy it i cant :cry:

EMA money?

Education Maintenance Allowance

 

A government initiative to get kids from low income family's to stay on at school, so they pay them £10, £20 or £30 a week. I used to get £10 a week.

 

Loving If You Seek Amy, Kill The Lights and Womanizer (Of course)

 

Haven't listened to it all the way through yet, will do at a far more sensible hour.

I want that here. :angry:

LOL. :P I get money from my wonderful mom since I'm in college and don't currently have a job. :kink:

 

Hopefully I'll be able to pick the album up Wednesday night with my mom. My university book store may even have the album stocked!

It's out on iTunes finally in the USA! :cheer: iTunes is celebrating Britney week by advertising her on the pop page and featuring her celebrity playlist, favorite music videos, and albums she has on her iPod!

I bought this yesterday (the deluxe version, of course :lol: ) not all places were stocking the deluxe though so i just grabbed it the moment i saw it - there were only a couple left! I love it. One of the first albums this year that i've listened too and loved almost immediately. Nearly all the tracks could be a HUGE singles :cheer:

 

I'm totally puzzled as to why Radar is on there though. It's not even remixed (it doesn't sound to be) :unsure:

Edited December 2, 200816 yr by Glyn