Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Shes back, and better than ever!!!, 13 Nov 2008
It didn't happen overnight, but Britney is back to the one woman pop machine she used to be. While 'Blackout' was a great album it got lost along the way during all the drama, but it's here, album number 6, and what an album it has turned out to be. The albums sound seems to be an equal mix of Blackout and the Britney of years ago. It's not quite as electronic as Blackout and brings back more of Britney's personality in to the album. This is the first album since 2001's 'Britney' that she has collaborated with Max Martin, also Danja is back producing along with Bloodshy & Avant. New producers (The Outsyders & The Underdogs)have been brought in too to make sure the album isn't too predictable. The only slight let down is (surprisingly) the Bloodshy & Avant production. 'Unusual You' is just not up to their previous work together, its not bad just a bit bland next to the other tracks.
This album is every bit as solid as Blackout was, whilst not every song is amazing, none are at all bad. Lead single 'Womanizer' is certainatly a great song, catchy, fast and not too deep, but that's just for starters. It is definately not the best song on the album. Next single lined up is Dr Luke produced 'Circus' which is 100 times better again than Womanizer. It moves at a slower pace but the beat is heavier & the songs feel overall is darker. Pure brilliance!! Other great tracks include 'If You Seek Amy' which is a really catchy song (helped along by the play on words (",)). One thing that Blackout was missing was a genuinely emotional ballad and Circus serves up a great one 'Out From Under' which discusses finding your feet after the breakdown of a relationship. A really genuine song from Britney. 'Lace & Leather' and Danja produced 'Kill The Lights' are yet more great tracks from the set. 'Kill The Lights' runs the same track as Piece of Me - an anti-paparazzi track which although not as catchy, is definately better written than 'Piece Of Me', 'Lace & Leather' delves into something a little raunchier. Despite all these great tracks, there is one which stands head and shoulders above the rest, and that is 'Mannequin'. Produced by The Underdogs this song is fueled by a thumping bassline, swirls of synthesisers and so much energy the speakers nearly melt. Yurn this track up and feel the hairs on the back of yor neck stand on end!! A brilliant song brimming with energy. One of the best she has done.
Overall, this a great great geat album, a total return to form for Britney taking her current sound forward whilst reincorporating the good bits of the old Britney back in again. With several bonus tracks about too such as 'Rock Me In' 'Phonography' 'Trouble' and 'Amnesia' (depending on what edition you get) there is plently of new Britney to enjoy. This is the last step in achieving the full comeback. Fantastic.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Won't win over the haters, but if she continues like this she'll stick around, 15 Dec 2008
Britney's last release 'Blackout' got very much overshadowed by her personal troubles - that was rather a shame, because there were some great dance tunes on there. I count Radar and Break the Ice among her best work - but the album did suffer from a lack of overall cohesion and personal touch. The songs all boiled down to about two topics, there were no ballads and it all came off as a bit clinical. Good quality clinical, but missing something. It was more as though somebody had randomly picked a selection of good songs than actually tried to make a cohesive album.
Well, Circus has found that weakness and fixed it. Out From Under is a lovely, atmospheric piece and its gentle vocal is a nice contrast to some of the power ballads dominating the charts from the likes of Beyonce and Leona. Blur is a slow song with an edge, and it's good to hear that even where she's slowed it down she's still experimenting and trying different things. She discusses life in her goldfish bowl on tracks like Kill The Lights and Mannequin, but the album doesn't lose the slick production and catchy hooks that gave Blackout its strength. She's also relying a little less on the vocoder so you can hear more of her voice rather than effects. If You Seek Amy is a rip roaring and cheeky little number which I can see going down a storm in clubs - don't know if radio will be able to take it without bleeping its titular joke to death though! Title song Circus is my personal favourite and makes me want to get my two left feet onto the dance floor to do my best Britney impression.
The album's not perfect however - My Baby while clearly heartfelt is very syrupy, and Mmm Papi may be one of the most irritating things I've ever heard. It refuses to grow on me and I'd have happily swapped it on the main release for any of the bonus tracks which are of much better quality. I have no idea why Radar is included when it was already released on Blackout a mere year ago, that seems a very odd decision by her record company.
All in all if you have ever had any liking for Britney, even just in passing, then this album shouldn't disappoint. I don't think there's anything on there that'll make a convert of her detractors, but then ten years later people have probably made up their minds for good! Fans should greatly enjoy this record as should anybody who likes a bit of fun, dancey pop. Don't expect 'Imagine' or anything similarly deep and meaningful, but expect a good time.
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6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
New, fresh, funky, fun and sexy = Circus, 15 Nov 2008
With an amazing set of 16 (!) songs you get everything you've ever wanted from Britney. There are ballads, up-tempo, fun, electronic, RnB songs, each and every one produced by the World's best producers.
Circus is clearly a weird but a phenomenal mix of "Blackout", "In The Zone" and "Britney".
Strongly recommended for anyone who likes great pop music!
Must listens:
-Womanizer
-Circus
-Out From Under
-Mannequin
-If You Seek Amy
-Unusual You
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