Search - Britney Spears :: Circus

Grab Yourself a Ringside Seat

Rudy Palma | NJ | 12/02/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Last year's "Blackout" was a strong pop record that sold well, peaking at #2 on the Billboard charts and yielding a handful of hit singles. "Circus," therefore, represents more of a personal than musical comeback for Spears.



The good sense to release "Womanizer" - a chugging, energetic slice of guilty pleasure dance/pop with no self-conscious lyrical connection to Spears' personal life - as the lead single for the album - her second #1 single and first of the late 2000s - has certainly paid off.



"Circus" contains many potential smashes, suggesting it may have a shelf life of significant length. The naughty "If U Seek Amy" is all sass and swagger, and the title track percolates and bubbles with hyperactive energy. "Lace and Leather" is spare, sexy sensuality with its downbeat tempo and spacey synths, and "Kill the Lights" is an out-the-ballpark smash with its frothy tempo changes and matter-of-fact, detached vocal delivery.



It may take a few plays for the hooks to settle in, but these are songs are not Disney radio-fodder pop machinizations to be forgotten by next week. These hooks are contagious and, most importantly, completely fun.



Spears again attempts light, melancholy balladry in the vein of "Sometimes" and "Everytime (sp: Every Time)" after last year's "Blackout" was wall-to-wall sexual energy and party jams. "Unusual You" is a new variation on "Everytime" with a cushier, more understated hook that could spell surprise mega-smash, although such could also happen for full-throttle breakup ballad "Out From Under," even if its lyrics lean toward the overly literal. The soft, devotional "My Baby" provides a strong, unexpected conclusion.



Surprisingly, "Circus" is not a pure cotton candy/crackerjack sugar rush. Such a description is truer of "Blackout," which was unpretentious fun from top to bottom. Rather, it is "Circus" that is the more ambitious, mixed record, and, most importantly, it works where it should.



This deluxe edition contains a DVD including behind-the-scenes footage and the "Womanizer" video, 2 bonus tracks ("Rock Me In" and "Phonography") as well as a 2-sided poster."

Britney Deluxe (Back Where She Belongs)

A. Trujillo | CA, USA | 12/03/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have to tell you I started listening to the album tracks weeks ago and loved about 13 out of the 15 songs that were going to be in the deluxe version. I bought the album of course today, had to go to 3 stores to find it (Walmart and Target were sold out so had to go to Best Buy) well worth it. My top songs of the album are Womanizer, Unusual You, If You Seek Amy, Circus, Out From Under, Kill The Lights and Phonography. Special Bonus in the Deluxe is the DVD (Interview about the making of the album), the directors cut of womanizer video, and a photos section (this part was not the best only has about 5-6 photos) but all is foregiven Britney is back with a vengeance...This deluxe edition definately worth it..you hear that Beyonce."

15 Singles!!!!

Tate | 12/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Love her or hate her, you have to admit, the B knows how to make a hot track! "Womanizer" is an awersome first single, but it's just a taste of what this album has to offer! "Circus" is a steller track and second single. But it gets better. Some of the highlights on the album are definately the Britney Ballads - "Out from Under" "My Baby" and especially "Unusual You" are really really great and show that she can sing. My favorite track is "Kill the Lights" it's so hot, and actually has unique lyrics that apply to Britney (think Piece of Me only 10000x better).



"If U Seek Amy" is a fun romp that'll give the middleschool kids a new catch phrase, "Mmm Papi" sounds like summer fun by the pool. "Mannequin" is another favorite that has a rockin' beat and more britney-themed lyrics. Honestly I love every track so much, just when I thought "Blur" was going to be my least favorite, it's now grown on me so much that I listen to it non-stop. There's really not a single bad track.



The Deluxe edition has two bonus tracks that are really freakin' amazing. "Phonography" has a sexy trancey synth and "Rock Me In" is just tons of fun. The deluxe also includes a really cool DVD that'll make it a must for all fans.



CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HER IN CONCERT!"