Britney Spears - Circus Review

Overall 4.62 of 5 view all 8 reviews

wildcatkatie
Chicago, IL

Grab your clown shoes and join the Britney Spears Circus.

a pop princess, into the social scene, twenty something

Pros

fun beat, it's Britney, bitch

Cons

explicit, unoriginal

DEC

2008

A snippet!: At its core, Britney Spears' sixth album, Circus, isn't any different from its predecessors. It's still obvious Britney doesn't have the true vocal talent of her competitors like Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Jessica Simpson and, more recently, Taylor Swift. It's still obvious Britney isn't writing her own lyrics. It's still obvious Britney likes to cause controversy and hype through sex appeal. It's still obvious Britney will be forever type-casted as a pop phenomenon - banished in to the pop-dance tracks file at your local record store. Yet, dare I say, there is something endearing and different about Britney's latest release.

The finer print: All right, I'll admit it. I'm a Britney fan. You won't find me on YouTube crying about the media's unfair treatment of her (see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWSjUe0FyxQ), but I do enjoy her music and following her life in trashy celebrity magazines. That's why I decided to buy Circus and give Britney another chance after she disappointed me with her musical comeback attempt in the fall of 2007. (Let's face it, Britney never really left center stage, so this isn't a full-fledged comeback.)

All of the tracks on Circus are eerily reminiscent of her songs on Blackout and In the Zone. There are catchy, addictive dance tunes (Womanizer, Kill the Lights, and Shattered Glass vs. Gimme More and Me Against the Music). There are cheesy, girly ballads (Out from Under and My Baby vs. Everytime). There are sexually suggestive - wait, just kidding. The tracks on Circus aren't suggestive like songs on Britney's previous releases (such as Touch of My Hand and Breathe on Me). Britney is flat-out vulgar on this album. Just listen closely to If U Seek Amy, or look up the lyrics to Phonography. Still, the electronica feel and bouncy rhythms are consistent on Circus, just like on her five other albums. She even surprised me with the track Unusual You - a cross between a ballad and club track.

To me, what makes Circus different from Britney's other albums is the fact she even made the album. I knew that Britney would be back in full force eventually, but I thought she'd take a few years to compose herself. In fact, I even considered her taking the Tupac route. You know, go in to hiding (or allegedly die) and keep releasing albums over a decade after her death. All right, so maybe staging a death is more drama than Britney needs, but it might have done her some good to take a break from celebrity!

But she didn't.

The verdict: Britney released Circus on the day of her 27th birthday, and it is a testament to the pop queen's monopoly of the music industry that this album turned out as good as it is. Sure, it's not any different than her other albums, but the beats are addictive and the lyrics are entertaining.

I give Circus four stars for its fun, upbeat tracks and Britney's guts to make the album at all. Love her or hate her, it's Britney, bitch. She's here to stay.

Last edited on Dec 02, 2008

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Comments about wildcatkatie’s Review

In response to wildcatkatie's comment from Dec 9, 2008 at 9:17AM:

She has a psychiatrist who comes to the house every day and is still under conservatorship. She can't make any decisions at all like a little child. Her father and her team do it all. It is permanent but may be lifted late next year. That is why I am wondering if she is ready for all this. She can't even write a check or go to the store without permission! Write a review on her concert! I would love to read it!

In response to PattyTherre's comment from Dec 9, 2008 at 1:18AM:

Well, frankly, I'm glad she's being pushed because I'm going to her concert! Haha. I wonder, too, though. She probably could use some serious therapy. Ah, well. She seems to be on the right track now, so I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

In response to wildcatkatie's comment from Dec 5, 2008 at 10:43AM:

I wonder of they are pushing her too hard too soon. She certainly has a full schedule and is touring all over in many countries. She still seems fragile to me but what do I know?

I agree. I think she's on her way straight back to the top. I was never a big fan of her music, but I'm a BIG FAN of people making something positive from a really negative situation. Terrific review. Thanks.

In response to AnnaBanana's comment from Dec 5, 2008 at 11:16AM:

It's freezing! I'd planned to go to the Lincoln Park ZooLights event tonight but it's just too cold. Looks like I'll be in my apartment watching a movie instead! Enjoy your weekend.

In response to wildcatkatie's comment from Dec 5, 2008 at 10:45AM:

I know -- I think Britney is made of a lot tougher stuff than people think. We never really know what other people have to cope with in the public eye like that. Just being that closely watched would drive me bananas. What a luxury it must be to a famous person to just be able to leave someplace and get in their car without cameras snapping! Well Katie, BOY IS IT COLD OR WHAT!!!! Take care and have a nice weekend and tell the gang there to do the same. Catch ya later!

In response to AnnaBanana's comment from Dec 4, 2008 at 11:33PM:

Like I said in response to Patty's post... she could be even better if she'd write her own music! Think of her life and some of the inspiring messages she could share w/ people if she REALLY wanted to.

In response to PattyTherre's comment from Dec 4, 2008 at 7:53PM:

I completely agree w/ you. I think if Britney wanted to she could write some pretty inspiring music. Don't most artists write about their experiences? She'd have some pretty intense but powerful music if she wanted to! Ah, well. I still love her electronica inspired stuff too. ;)

It's odd that I should read this review just now as I just saw one of the tracks (I forget which) on Entertainment Tonight. I agree that Britney may not be the most talented bulb in the pack but for what she is, she's pretty good! This review was pretty good too, BTW!

I'm not a Britney fan but I have heard a few of the songs from Circus. They're OK but I kind of wish she would show some depth. She's been through a lot and it seems her music hasn't really evolved much. But I know her fans really enjoy Circus.