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Britney Spears

Circus

  • AMG Review of Circus

    Amg
    Stephen Thomas Erlewine
    All Music Guide

    With its title, Circus nods knowingly at the madhouse that is Britney Spears' life, acknowledging that things got a little rough after the release of 2007's Blackout. It's no secret that Blackout's launch didn't go as planned: the furor surrounding her stumbling VMA lip-sync of "Gimme More" was eclipsed by her institutionalization -- a drama played out live on TV, as so much of her life is -- and the loss of custody of her two young boys to ex-husband Kevin Federline, all of which pushed Blackout far, far to the background. Britney herself didn't exactly seem engaged on Blackout -- it was a club album, a producer's showcase, so it didn't matter if Spears didn't give herself over completely as the behind-the-boards team carried her through. That distance combined with her troubles did give Britney the appearance of losing control completely, and the best way for a pop star to right herself is through image -- hence Circus, a friendly remake of the hedonistic Blackout that posits that all is better with Brit-Brit now, thank you. If Blackout was a producers' album, Circus is a handlers' album, intent on sweeping away any recent unpleasantness -- the only acknowledgement is that title -- and acting like nothing ever happened, imagining that this is still a world where Britney remains envied and desired, where she can be dolled up as a gauzy Farrah Fawcett pinup on her album cover, where she can sing a drippy ballad about "My Baby" and have nobody raise an eyebrow. She can get away with the former with a bit more ease than the latter if only because all the time, effort, and money is poured into the club tracks, such as the thumping, stuttering first single "Womanizer" and its better, the relentless "Kill the Lights," so sleek and sexy it winds up diminishing the rest of the record.

    "Kill the Lights" may be exceptional, one of Britney's best-ever singles, but it also doesn't have much competition here: it's one of a handful of tracks that follow through on Blackout, while the rest of Circus plays it safe, never hitting the beats hard enough to alienate a pop audience but perhaps layering on a bit too much saccharine for dance fans. It's careful and considered, right down to the single-entendre "If U Seek Amy," a Katy Perry-styled exercise in crass commercial carnality that is at once the best and worst song here. Best because Max Martin once again works his undeniable pop magic, turning this into a trashy stomper that feels inevitable and eternal, working against any sense of taste or decorum, something that the lyrics work overtime to undercut as they insist that all the boys and all the girls still want to F, U...well, spell it and you'll get the picture, and if you don't, Britney's elocution will paint it for you. This sexy strut doesn't work not because Spears' desirability took a nosedive in the five years since In the Zone -- although it did -- but because Britney's sexiness never was this explicit; she teased and hinted, at least in her music, and it feels wrong to have her be so nakedly vulgar here. Still, it was a necessary move, a way to stir up headlines and perhaps snatch the tabloid tiara from Katy's head, but the rest of the record doesn't follow through as it resorts Spears' standard formula: a couple of great dance singles, a couple of pretty good chill-out cuts (best being Bloodshy & Avant's "Unusual You"), a couple of not-good-at-all ballads, and a whole bunch of stuff in the middle. If she feels marginally more connected here than she did on Blackout, it's a Pyrrhic victory, as Circus never feels as sleek or addictive as its predecessor.

The "reinvented" Britney Spears
7 months ago

She wanted to be like Madonna, but wasn't tough enough. It would be okay, if she had anything else to offer.When Britney Spears released Blackout, my immediate thought was of rebound boyfriends. With all the public scandal going on in her life, it was hard to believe it was something true and inspired. It was obviouslly an "I'm still standing" statement - a rebound album. Despite that, when I r...

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EQ Review: Britney's Electric Circus
7 months ago

by Will-W. Make no mistake about it, I love Britney Spears.  And you would be lying if you were not in the very least rooting for her comeback after a tumultuous 2006-2008.  It is during this period that the public saw America's sweetheart of pop go from invincibility to vulnerability.  With her life now back in order and a record time rebound, Spears continues to delve headfirst into a demand

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Listen To Britney Spears Full New Album "Circus" Here For Free!
11 months ago

Britney is back and better than ever!!! Celebrate Get your listen to her full new album, "Circus", dropping today for free right here!

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//Neon Reviews: Britney Spears - Circus//
11 months ago

The word circus perfectly describes the last 2 years for Britney Spears. But between the hospital stays, mental evaluations and court proceedings, Britney Jean Spears did manage to have some high points: seemingly cleaning up her act, her MTV Video Music Awards wins and her brand new album, appropriately titled Circus. Widely referred to as [...]

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Daily B: And The Review of the Day Goes To...
11 months ago

An actual excerpt of a Circus review by Neil McCormick of The Telegraph : To the clockwork synth stomp of 'If U Seek Amy' (which, sung fast, becomes 'If you're sick of me', or is it 'Eff, you, see, kay me?') she presumably deliberately hints at the crash-and-burn image of Amy Winehouse, while singing "love me, hate me" and crafting a hookline out of manic laughter ("ha ha hee hee ha ha ho!"). ...

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Britney Spears 'Circus" (Album Review & Sneak track Listen*)
11 months ago

: CIRCUS - Big Synths - Nice Production - Many Radio Hits - Similar To "Blackout" : SO SHE'S CRAZY WERE NOT ALL PERFECT ..lol - Man so I just finished listening to Britney's new release "Circus' for some reason I was looking forward to getting my hands on this because the production on the last album was really sick, any who the first thing that I noticed was that "Circus' had all of th...

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Britney Spears: Circus (Album Review)
11 months ago

Don't worry Muusers: I have, in fact, survived the Circus of Britney Spears . Sure, there's been some scrapes and claw marks along the way. I've been manhandled by a duo of evil clowns, nearly fed to the lions and tigers, and somewhere along the way, I distinctly recall being forced to slap a drunken hooker. Luckily, I managed to elbow my way out from under the tent flap…Some might even say .

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EQ Reviews Britney Spears "Circus"
11 months ago

Once again, I find myself listneing to Britney Spears which I have to say for the first time in my life, I actually quite like her now - someone call a doctor now - I know! I have never really been into her all that much, but it finally seems that she's making the sort of music that appeals to me and my favourite genre. So when "Circus" landed in my inbox yesterday, I thought hey, let's give...

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Remixes for Britney's new single "Womanizer" R emerging
about 1 year ago

"Womanizer" Britney's new single off her upcoming 6th studio album, Circus was unleashed & played everywhere last Friday. It only took one day for remixers to start doing their thing. Here's probably the first one to hit the web made by swiss the Dominik von Werdt."Womanizer (Dominik von Werdt Remix)" | downloadDominik von Werdt explains:i wasn't completely honest the other day at your studio w...

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STOP IT BRITNEY MP3: Evan Ditches Marilyn Manson, But not Dita
12 months ago

So guys, despite "allegedly" giving boyfriend Marilyn Manson the old heave-ho, the insanely talented Evan Rachel Wood (of Thirteen fame) is hanging on to one memento from their relationship -- her man-spired makeover. See, right after Evan Rachel Wood hooked up with the goth singer, she ditched her blonde locks and went dark -- very dark -- coming out the other side of a reinvention tunnel lo...

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My Friday's Guilty Pleasure
9 months ago

yeah... so this is so last december but its on the radio all the time and I love the refrain... i feel the adrenaline running thru my veins, spotlight on me and i'm ready to break...

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Britney Spears - If You Seek Amy (F.U.C.K. Me)
11 months ago

This little sneaky loop got everyone super excited yesterday. It's JUST A LOOP. Not a finished track. Nope Nope. But its still an mp3 of decent quality and a perfect teaser for the track. Catch "F.U.C.K. Me" after the jump: Britney Spears - If You Seek Amy (Sneaky Loop) This song makes me LOL over and over again. Related posts THE [...]

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New! Britney Spears Circus, Lace and Leather, Phonography, If You Seek Amy
11 months ago

Alright I struggled with this one. Didn't really wanna put Britney on P&P but I'm sure a lot of people are curious what her new stuff is gonna sound like. It's been slowly leaking today, so if you're curious, check it out. Got them from PMA and Mossip. It's gonna be great for 10 year old girls to be singing along to If You Seek Amy. Britney Spears - Circus Britney Spears - Lace and Leat...

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BRITNEY SPEARS: If You Seek Amy
11 months ago

Here is another Britney Spears leak from her upcoming album Circus . This track is called If You Seek Amy! What do you think of Britney's latest efforts, let us know in the comment section ...Enjoy and yes this is the full version of this song :)If You Seek Amy (Download) Too shy to leave a comment, then rate by clicking on the stars!

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Listen To Britney Spears Full New Album "Circus" Here For Free!
11 months ago

Britney is back and better than ever!!! Celebrate Get your listen to her full new album, "Circus", dropping today for free right here!

More >
BRITNEY SPEARS: Circus Tour To Be Directed by.... Jamie King
10 months ago

Well what do ya know? Jamie King has signed on to be the official musical director for Britney 's Circus Tour. Lets hope that he doesn't just rehash ideas taken from Madonna 's 'Confessions' and 'Reinvention' tours (like the Spice Girls Reunion Tour), everyone using him is getting kinda tired.

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BRITNEY SPEARS: Circus Itunes Bonus Tracks
11 months ago

Of course you all know by now that Britney Spears ' 'Circus' has leaked, so here are the iTunes bonus tracks for you to enjoy! Trouble sounds like it took inspiration from Madonna 's Get Together....hmm. Now go and support the former Mouseketeer by purchasing the album! Quicksand , Rock Baby & Trouble (Download )

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NEVER THOUGHT THIS COULD HAPPENED...
about 1 year ago

Hey look! Britney's looking hot again:Ok, so the song all in all is pretty catchy and that's obviously the key on any pop song, that part where she talks though, I think its a bit cheesy, but maybe it's just me.The video is pretty cool and was directed by Joseph Kahn, whom also made her videos for Stronger and Toxic, which I had to google to make sure, and yes I was right, it kind of reminded m...

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The "reinvented" Britney Spears
7 months ago

She wanted to be like Madonna, but wasn't tough enough. It would be okay, if she had anything else to offer.When Britney Spears released Blackout, my immediate thought was of rebound boyfriends. With all the public scandal going on in her life, it was hard to believe it was something true and inspired. It was obviouslly an "I'm still standing" statement - a rebound album. Despite that, when I r...

More >
Britney Spears - Circus (Single)
11 months ago

So Britney's Circus is slowly leaking. I thorougly covered the Kanye West 808's and Heartbreak leaks, now it's Britney's turn. "All Eyes On Me, In The Center of the Ring. Just A Circus" There's something special about this song. It makes my heart beat a little faster everytime I listen to it. Britney Spears - Circus Related posts THE OWNAGE IS BREAKING MY PLACENTA!! [...]

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New Britney Spears - If U Seek Amy
11 months ago

So Britney's Circus is slowly leaking. I thorougly covered the Kanye West 808's and Heartbreak leaks, now it's Britney's turn. "All of the Boys and All of the Girls are begging to if you seek Amy" "If U Seek Amy" starts off with a wonderful set of la la la la la's before jumping into a markedly progressive and strange, [...]

More >
EQ Reviews Britney Spears "Circus"
11 months ago

Once again, I find myself listneing to Britney Spears which I have to say for the first time in my life, I actually quite like her now - someone call a doctor now - I know! I have never really been into her all that much, but it finally seems that she's making the sort of music that appeals to me and my favourite genre. So when "Circus" landed in my inbox yesterday, I thought hey, let's give...

More >
New Britney Spears - Womanizer Justice Remix?
about 1 year ago

So I came across a full, high quality Justice remix of Britney Spears' chart-topping "Womanizer". Real or not? Check it out at the Womanizer Mega Post! Related posts THE OWNAGE IS BREAKING MY PLACENTA!! (13) New Britney Spears Album Release Date - Mid-December (16) L(Squared) Monday Night: Remixes (6)

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Britney Spears Presents Top Ten List On Letterman
2 months ago

Britney Spears listed off the top ten ways the country would be different if she were president on the Late Show With David Letterman last night. Keep your eyes on her legs.. lol. Britney's latest album Circus is out now.

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