Britney Spears - Circus (album)

Britney is back. I'm not sure if she officially left, but regardless - it's a whole new Britney from the one we saw a year ago. Or is it? The club-ready sound of 'Blackout' served as a soundtrack to the sexed-up, club-scene, party life Britney was living at the time. But under the conservatorship (thanks, Britney, for adding this word to the American vocabulary) of her father, she has seemingly cleaned up her act. And the work proves it. While this album retains the dance-friendly vibe of 'Blackout', it's overall sound is lodged somewhere between the sound effect-laden glittery electro of last year's 'Blackout' and the sometimes dance, yet still kid-friendly pop of 2003's 'In the Zone.' That's not to say the album is a step backward, but it's not much of a step forward either. Given all that, it's still chock full of the irresistibly catchy melodies and glossy synth effects that keep us Britney fans coming back for more. Given that, it's not without it's hint of darkness and remorse that naturally comes in the aftermath of such public tumult. There is an underpinning of sadness in some of these tracks, but it's hard to discern if it's regret for past behavior or a longing to be free from the newfound constraints of her family and her custody battle. Knowing Britney (and having read excerpts from her upcoming 90-minute MTV documentary, where she likens her current lifestyle to a jail sentence), my money is on the latter.

Here are a few thoughts on some select tracks.

Womanizer
While this is not my favorite track on the album, it's clear why it was the first single. It's the most in-your-face track on the album and it's melody is one of the most unique and memorable. Plus, it's a great way to position Britney as a strong female who won't be taken for a fool by any playboy (Sam, Adnan, are you listening?).

Circus
It would be a crime to not release this gem as a single. Sure, the lyrics are a bit lightweight, but they provide a playful way for Britney to address the insanity around her life while also touting her bravado as a force to be reckoned with when commanding the stage. There's some great hooks in this track too, which is why it is a favorite of mine. This track is begging for a club remix treatment and when it arrives it is sure to become a favorite around gay dance clubs around the world, if for no other reason than the lyrics alone ("I'm a put on a show kinda girl... I feel the adrenaline runnin' through my veins, feel the spotlight on me and I'm ready to break, I'm like a performer, the dance floor is my stage"). Cynical as I may be, I too am still a complete sucker for these diva showgirl lyrics and I love it. This song will be an anthem for all of us 20-something gays living our Saturday-night club lives vicariously through Ms. Spears.

Out From Under
Ok, so it's not exactly 'Garden State' soundtrack material, but it's some of the most mature Britney ballad's to date. Musically, it sounds as if it could be a Backstreet Boys song (which is both its strong point and downfall, depending on your opinion of their music). But the lyrics achieve what we look for in a pop track from one of our favorite divas - a wonderful double-statement on a failed relationship and the pressures and failures of her family and personal life.

Kill the Lights
I hated this song on the first few listens, but in the context of the album it's completely grown on me. Sure, it once again addresses Britney's significance to the world of paparazzi photographers (think "Piece of Me"), but, it's full of attitude ("Mr. Photographer... make sure you catch me from my good side, pick one") and it's got a great beat. What more do you need?

Shattered Glass
This track loses major points for the first minute of it's 2:52 running time for replicating the beat of the track right before it ("Kill the Lights") but it finds sweet redemption when the chorus kicks in. Once that happens, you forget all about "Kill the Lights" and begin to realize that you are 5 tracks into the new Britney album and so far not one major misstep. Surely the next track will suck, right?

If You Seek Amy
"Love me, hate me, say what you want about me, but all of the boys and all of the girls are beggin' to 'if you seek Amy'." This has to be the best and worst line of the entire album. When read, it's completely, utterly ridiculous. But spoken aloud, it takens on a whole new meaning (if you seek Amy ... F-U-C-K me). If you're reading this blog, you are probably well aware of this already, but you have to admit it's damn clever. Sure, it doesn't make much sense, even within the context of the song (which is basically about Britney looking all over the club for "Amy" which we must presume is a euphemism for sex), but this line will be stuck in your head for days. I guarantee it. The single best moment on the album. And perhaps the catchiest single line of any song released this year. "Love me, hate me, say what you want about me, but all of the boys and all of the girls are beggin' to F-U-C-K me." It's just so damn fun to sing. Too bad it will most likely end up being this album's "Toy Soldier" ... a surefire massive single that will never see a release (considering the best part of this track would have to be censored on radio, most likely).

At this point, the album starts to become much more hit-or-miss. There's only one song on the album that verges on bad ("My Baby," the album closer which is literally about her babies and how insignificant her life is without them, which comes off a bit ingenuine coming from the same person who seemingly earlier this year wanted nothing to do with them; You can't help but feel as if inclusion of this track was her custody attorney's idea). As with most Britney albums, the last half of the track will probably grow on me over the months ahead and eventually become favorites when the first half of the disc starts to wear thin... But ultimately, the lack of excitement on the last half of the disc can't help but leave you feeling a bit let down after the undenialbe out-of-the-park homerun that was 'Blackout', an almost flawless pop record from beginning to end. Kudos to Britney for going for something more than a complete recreation of 'Blackout' (which we all know would've been a massive success had Britney been cleaned up during its release), but it still leaves you longing for just a few more amazingly hot, sexy, trashy dance tunes that 'Blackout' provided one after another.