SpaceMutt07
12-11-2003, 05:02 PM
Bashers, go right ahead. It's immature and juvenile, but I know that tons of you out there are just itching for the perfect moment to bash Britney on the boards. Feel free, but just know that this thread was NOT intended for such trash talk. Instead, I just simply wanted to start a thread for those of you who have actually heard the album, I would really like to know what everyone thinks. Yes, I am a Britney fan....but hey, I listen to everything (A Perfect Circle, Rob Zombie, The Ataris, Tool, Taking Back Sunday, Massive Attack, Tricky, Dieselboy....and much, much more). Now, as if anyone cares, here's my track by track review of 'In The Zone'. (On a scale from * to *****)
1. Me Against the Music - this track is one of the more cliched songs on the album, borrowing heavily from 2001's 'I'm A Slave 4 U', but its heavy hitting beats and infectious hooks grab onto you and get under your skin, forcing you to eventually like the song. It's replay value also is a plus. (***1/2)
2. (I Got That) Boom Boom - an obvious attempt at getting a top ten single, 'Boom Boom' offers nothing more than a simple rehash of past catchy hip hop songs. It's generic and ultimately mindless lyrics provide minimal satisfaction for the listener, and the digital looping of the Ying Yang Twins vocals is downright annoying. On the plus side, the bass lines and southern/urban influenced riffs provide something fresh to the bland song. (**1/2)
3. Showdown - 'Showdown' is the proper introduction to the grown up Britney. This song is how it's done. While Britney is infamous for not having a distinct style of music, this could quickly end that trend if she continues down the path that 'Showdown' paves. It's reggae/pop/rock/trance inspired beats provide ear candy throughout, and the hair raising digitized moans are catchy as hell. This ultra sexed-up song about how fun it is to fight and then have killer make-up sex is...distinct. Don't expect it as a single, but try to go out of your way to hear it. (****1/2)
4. Breathe on Me - if there was no Kylie Minogue, there would be no 'Breathe on Me'. The Aussie superstar's musical and lyrical influence is laid on, beat after beat, but hearing something of the sort from a singer like Britney is ultimately a positive thing. Her mediocre voice combined with her excellent moaning capabilities give the song a little something more that what would be expected. The trance/techno sound gives Britney an extra sense of sexuality and maturity. Expect a steamy video for this one. (****)
5. Early Mornin' - this Moby produced track could have been something groundbreaking. Could have, I said. The soundtrack is there. Moby does an excellend job of laying down the vibe-y Moby-esque sound that he is noted for, but what fails is the lyrical arrangement. The way the lyrics were layed out is off, and half of the time you can't even understand what Britney is saying. This "got drunk last night and feel like shit" anthem is a nice track to listen to once in a while, but don't expect great things. (***)
6. Toxic - One of, if not THE, best songs on the album. It's infectious Bollywood string hook is dramatic - but that's the fun of it. The song is over the top with pop/techno/opera beats, and it's one of the best dance songs from Britney to date. The break in the middle of the song is enough to get the smallest of Britney lover's onto the dance floor, or at least tapping your feet. This song makes me thing of many things...tye-dye, Willy Wonka, The Phantom of the Opera, and tripping out on marijuana. Yeah, the song is nuts. Check it out. (*****)
7. Outrageous - this R. Kelly penned and produced track is just that...outrageous. With such lines as "Media over here/comin to ya at the world premiere/trench coat and my underwear/lets go with this freak show", Britney is out to prove that she knows how to party hardy. It's all about style and glamour in this song, and it's rap/hip-hop beats sound like traditional R. Kelly. Throw in Britney and you've got a hit, right? Well, repeating the word 'outrageous' 41 (I counted) times doesn't help the cause, but even that doesn't stop this from becoming a pretty well done song. (***)
8. Touch of My Hand - or should it be called. 'The Ode to Female Masturbation'. How much more sex can you include in a song? Not much. Britney pushes the envelope rather far here. How many little girls, who don't know the song's meaning, are gonna be running around singing "Imagination's taking over/another day without a lover/the more I come to understand/the touch of my hand"? It's a lawsuit waiting to happen. Actually, the song is very well done and its as tasteful as a masturbation song can possibly be. It's oriental inspired sound and trip-hop beats provide a very worthy song, and knowing the underlying message doesn't hurt the listening experience either. Play this one for grandma and see if she catches on. (****)
9. The Hook Up - we went from that to....this?!? This poorly done mix of hip hop and reggae and annoying screaming Jamaicans in the backround is about as indulging as a spoonful of green NyQuil. It's heavy bass beats and somewhat entertaining mid-break provide some decent listening value, but all in all this is one for the garbage. I recommend the track 'The Answer'. Its not available on U.S. discs, but overseas imports will do the track. (*1/2)
10. Shadow - this is what ballad lovers want, I tell ya. This is one of those songs that they play at prom and it will have your date clinging to you with love...or lust, depending. The rather catchy chorus and electro/orchestra beats provide this song with an extra dose of "mature". If you like ballads, and sappy ones at that, then 'Shadow' will most likely be your cup of tea. (***1/2)
11. Brave New Girl - is this a lost track off the new Hilary Duff album? This has been done before, and much better at that. This "girl finding independence" anthem is nothing original, and really makes the album look juvenile. If someone had to base the entire album off of this one track, they would definitely be turned way off. The bubbly pop/electro-pop beats and the highly digitized voices will leave a rather sweet taste in your mouth. It's harmless pop, but really sounds like it could have come from Britney's first album. (**)
12. Everytime - this is the better of the two ballads, in my opinion. What makes this one superior is the superb production. It's not over the top instruments here, folks. No electro-pop in the backround, no digitized vocals. This is a beautiful piano laden ballad, and even though Britney doesn't have the strongest of vocals, she pulls it off with flying colors. Just closing your eyes to this song makes you feel like you want to be close to somebody, right there, right now. It's orchestral kicks will leave you breathless, and it gives the album a feeling of sincerity and reason. This is what 'In The Zone' was all about. Just a vulnerable young woman coming into her own, exploring new boundaries and testing her own limits. (****1/2)
So, I hope this somehow turns some of you on to the new Britney. Its highly unlikely, but just as a warning, TRUST ME. By the sounds of this album, it seems as though the next album will have all audiences talking. Until then, there's 'In The Zone'.
1. Me Against the Music - this track is one of the more cliched songs on the album, borrowing heavily from 2001's 'I'm A Slave 4 U', but its heavy hitting beats and infectious hooks grab onto you and get under your skin, forcing you to eventually like the song. It's replay value also is a plus. (***1/2)
2. (I Got That) Boom Boom - an obvious attempt at getting a top ten single, 'Boom Boom' offers nothing more than a simple rehash of past catchy hip hop songs. It's generic and ultimately mindless lyrics provide minimal satisfaction for the listener, and the digital looping of the Ying Yang Twins vocals is downright annoying. On the plus side, the bass lines and southern/urban influenced riffs provide something fresh to the bland song. (**1/2)
3. Showdown - 'Showdown' is the proper introduction to the grown up Britney. This song is how it's done. While Britney is infamous for not having a distinct style of music, this could quickly end that trend if she continues down the path that 'Showdown' paves. It's reggae/pop/rock/trance inspired beats provide ear candy throughout, and the hair raising digitized moans are catchy as hell. This ultra sexed-up song about how fun it is to fight and then have killer make-up sex is...distinct. Don't expect it as a single, but try to go out of your way to hear it. (****1/2)
4. Breathe on Me - if there was no Kylie Minogue, there would be no 'Breathe on Me'. The Aussie superstar's musical and lyrical influence is laid on, beat after beat, but hearing something of the sort from a singer like Britney is ultimately a positive thing. Her mediocre voice combined with her excellent moaning capabilities give the song a little something more that what would be expected. The trance/techno sound gives Britney an extra sense of sexuality and maturity. Expect a steamy video for this one. (****)
5. Early Mornin' - this Moby produced track could have been something groundbreaking. Could have, I said. The soundtrack is there. Moby does an excellend job of laying down the vibe-y Moby-esque sound that he is noted for, but what fails is the lyrical arrangement. The way the lyrics were layed out is off, and half of the time you can't even understand what Britney is saying. This "got drunk last night and feel like shit" anthem is a nice track to listen to once in a while, but don't expect great things. (***)
6. Toxic - One of, if not THE, best songs on the album. It's infectious Bollywood string hook is dramatic - but that's the fun of it. The song is over the top with pop/techno/opera beats, and it's one of the best dance songs from Britney to date. The break in the middle of the song is enough to get the smallest of Britney lover's onto the dance floor, or at least tapping your feet. This song makes me thing of many things...tye-dye, Willy Wonka, The Phantom of the Opera, and tripping out on marijuana. Yeah, the song is nuts. Check it out. (*****)
7. Outrageous - this R. Kelly penned and produced track is just that...outrageous. With such lines as "Media over here/comin to ya at the world premiere/trench coat and my underwear/lets go with this freak show", Britney is out to prove that she knows how to party hardy. It's all about style and glamour in this song, and it's rap/hip-hop beats sound like traditional R. Kelly. Throw in Britney and you've got a hit, right? Well, repeating the word 'outrageous' 41 (I counted) times doesn't help the cause, but even that doesn't stop this from becoming a pretty well done song. (***)
8. Touch of My Hand - or should it be called. 'The Ode to Female Masturbation'. How much more sex can you include in a song? Not much. Britney pushes the envelope rather far here. How many little girls, who don't know the song's meaning, are gonna be running around singing "Imagination's taking over/another day without a lover/the more I come to understand/the touch of my hand"? It's a lawsuit waiting to happen. Actually, the song is very well done and its as tasteful as a masturbation song can possibly be. It's oriental inspired sound and trip-hop beats provide a very worthy song, and knowing the underlying message doesn't hurt the listening experience either. Play this one for grandma and see if she catches on. (****)
9. The Hook Up - we went from that to....this?!? This poorly done mix of hip hop and reggae and annoying screaming Jamaicans in the backround is about as indulging as a spoonful of green NyQuil. It's heavy bass beats and somewhat entertaining mid-break provide some decent listening value, but all in all this is one for the garbage. I recommend the track 'The Answer'. Its not available on U.S. discs, but overseas imports will do the track. (*1/2)
10. Shadow - this is what ballad lovers want, I tell ya. This is one of those songs that they play at prom and it will have your date clinging to you with love...or lust, depending. The rather catchy chorus and electro/orchestra beats provide this song with an extra dose of "mature". If you like ballads, and sappy ones at that, then 'Shadow' will most likely be your cup of tea. (***1/2)
11. Brave New Girl - is this a lost track off the new Hilary Duff album? This has been done before, and much better at that. This "girl finding independence" anthem is nothing original, and really makes the album look juvenile. If someone had to base the entire album off of this one track, they would definitely be turned way off. The bubbly pop/electro-pop beats and the highly digitized voices will leave a rather sweet taste in your mouth. It's harmless pop, but really sounds like it could have come from Britney's first album. (**)
12. Everytime - this is the better of the two ballads, in my opinion. What makes this one superior is the superb production. It's not over the top instruments here, folks. No electro-pop in the backround, no digitized vocals. This is a beautiful piano laden ballad, and even though Britney doesn't have the strongest of vocals, she pulls it off with flying colors. Just closing your eyes to this song makes you feel like you want to be close to somebody, right there, right now. It's orchestral kicks will leave you breathless, and it gives the album a feeling of sincerity and reason. This is what 'In The Zone' was all about. Just a vulnerable young woman coming into her own, exploring new boundaries and testing her own limits. (****1/2)
So, I hope this somehow turns some of you on to the new Britney. Its highly unlikely, but just as a warning, TRUST ME. By the sounds of this album, it seems as though the next album will have all audiences talking. Until then, there's 'In The Zone'.