I've been considering starting a review blog, haha. I listened to each track 3 times, and tried to be as fair and honest as I could be.
Britney Spears - Circus
- 5/10.
Catchy lead single from the star's sixth studio album. Not a bad track, however the 'woma-woma-nizer, womanizer' bridge becomes extremely annoying, as does the rather repetitive chorus, although the spoken part redeems it. I also dislike how it drops really slow for the third verse, I much prefer the live remix. Good tune to dance to though, what it lacks in lyrical content it makes up for in beats.
Circus - 9/10.
Beat-based second single from the album, actually a really good song. I like how the beginning is entirely beat accompanied, and it breaks down into the more upbeat chorus. The lyrics are great, comparing her shows to a circus, and I really love how the tempo changes in different parts.
Out From Under - 6.5/10.
The first of two ballads, it begins rather boring, although the song does pick up after the first chorus. Her vocals are fairly strong in this song, showing off quite a wide range. Decent, strong ballad, a little bit boring and samey for me, nothing really hooks me in, and I generally like a good ballad.
Kill The Lights - 8.5/10.
Reminds me a lot lyrically of Piece Of Me and Toy Solider. I adore the bridge and chorus, though the verses aren't bad. Catchy without being annoyingly repetitive shows that Britney doesn't need the irritating one word hooks. Lyrically great and the breakdown in thrd verse really works.
Shattered Glass - 9/10.
A great upbeat song that allows Britney to show off her vocals. This is one of my favourites on the album. I love how it starts off fairly upbeat and completely changes for the chorus. The only negative for me is the repeated 'glay-ass' but that doesn't take away from the song itself.
If U Seek Amy - 10/10.
Possibly Britney's best song ever, this is by far my new favourite, overtaking 'Gimme More'. Incredible lyrics with the secret message in the title words, easy to dance and sing along to, and a great beat. Amazing song.
Unusual You - 7/10.
Most reviews I've read seem to rate this the lowest but I think it's a decent, mid-tempo song. However, reminds me too much of 'Heaven On Earth' which was my second fave song on Blackout, but still a good song.
Blur - 4/10.
Good lyrics, good vocals in the verses and chorus, just not a very good song. I presume it's about a one night stand, and I find it very forgettable. Despite this, I would love to see her sing it live. I can imagine the set being stripped down to just her, and the microphone, and I think it'd do her some good.
Mmm Papi - 1/10.
Ew. Just absolutely awful. Terrible lyrics, the beat sounds almost comical, and everything about it is awful. The worst song on the album by far. Compared to some of the other songs on the album, and especially the standard of some of the bonus tracks, it's questionable why this made it to the album.
Mannequin - 6/10.
Fantastic beat, and a great chorus. However, the song itself could be a lot better. The beat is fairly unique to the album, and she could have done much better with it. I find it quite boring up until the 'baby, baby, i don't care' part.
Lace And Leather - 7.5/10.
I really like this song. The lyrics are really well written, and Britney's vocals sound brilliant. The verses sound similar to 'Easy' by Sugababes, and it's just as good a song, if not better. On the other hand, it sorta blends in with a few other songs though, and doesn't stand out strong enough to be a single. A bit of a filler track. I can see her putting on a great show with this track.
My Baby - 8/10.
Soft ballad that shows what Britney's capable of. The vocals are both the strongest, and the most beautiful I've heard from her yet, and it's not a bad song. Definitely the better of the ballads, one of her best ever, along with 'Everytime'.
Radar - 1/10.
I hate that they put this on here. It should've had some sort of 'Circus' makeover, or at least a remix. I actually didn't bother putting it on my ipod.
Rock Me In - 6/10.
I don't really get into this song until the first chorus. Showing a more electro-pop side to her, this song is reminiscent of Annie/Robyn. The lyrics are a bit generic, the vocals are decent and it's a good song, but little more than that.
Phonography - 8.5/10.
Sorta like Kylie's 'Speakerphone', I find this song quite a sexy one actually. The beat is amazing, and totally fits with the lyrics. I could see a real good dance routine to this, and should've been an actual album track rather than a bonus, perhaps in the place of Radar.
Trouble - 3/10.
I don't really like this track. It sounds like most generic dance tracks to me. Nothing really stands out for me, not that it's a bad song, no, it's an alright effort, just not for me. A bit bland and lacks anything strong.
Amnesia - 9.5/10.
Why wasn't this an album track? This should definitely be in place of 'Mmm Papi'. By far the second best song from this era. It's catchy, easy to sing along with, and the lyrical content is brilliant. Fantastic instrumental, I think this would have an awesome music video.
Quicksand - 6.5/10.
Like a few others on this album, I'm not keen on the beginning, and don't really get into it until the chorus. Some of the best lyrics on the album, the beat's nothing special, it's fairly mid-tempo and it's not as good as other songs on the album.
Rock Boy - 7.5/10.
One of the rare times we get to hear real instruments from Britney, it makes this track really stand out. Rock influenced dance track, not an amazing song, but definitely not a bad one. A musical direction I'd like to see Britney experiment with in the future.
Overall;; - 7/10.
Best Song;; If U Seek Amy.
Worst Song;; Mmm Papi.
A really good effort from Britney Spears. I much prefer it musically to Blackout despite there being more forgettable tracks I'm not keen on, it should set the star up for a fantastic comeback providing she releases the right songs, gives great performances and continues to promote it.