Which albums change in rankings? I think Circus, Oops!... I Did It Again! & In The Zone would all change rankings for me because they’re all so close in ratings. I think I was a bit harsh on Circus because I can’t help compare tracks like “Mannequin”, which sounds like a cheaper, less raunchier and sexier version of “Toy Soldier” and I think “Shattered Glass”, and “Circus” both sound outdated and formulaic, even though they are both still enjoyable.
Also, the two ballads (Out From Under and My Baby) are just feel sweet-icky. ‘put on’ and are ultimately forgettable - they don’t bring anything to the album or concept and are musically weak. If You Seek Amy is a bit too silly and her nasal delivery in the chorus with that whole “love me, hate me, can’t you see what I see” irritating and emotionless. It’s like....yeah, it’s a cool idea with the whole F-U-C-K me thing but after you hear it, it gets old quickly. The clown-stomping beat mixed with Britney’s delivery overall makes the song feel a bit too captain obvious.
Kill The Lights is theatrical, musical and really showcases Britney’s fierce, dark attitude. Womaniser is a laser sharp, sexy, funny banger and Lace & Leather is a burlesque, 70’s funky porno sleek jam which has an amazing Prince-inspired breakdown in the last half of the song. Blur really hits the nail on the head too with it’s afterglow, hangover aesthetic - the guitars, subdued dreary drums, introspective/question mark sounding synths and Britney’s naked vocals really make the encapsulate this blurry, lost aesthetic Britney is having.
There are highlights on Circus, and the songs I critisize, I’d still award them a 6/10 or a 6.5/10 which means they are decent. But the best tracks on Circus aren’t better than the best tracks on In The Zone and Oops!... I Did It Again - even though them two albums are less consistent. Both albums in my opinion have 3 songs each that are better than the best track on Circus (Womanizer/Kill The Lights).
But yeah, I still really like them three albums and they all are a 7.5-8.0 / 10 for me!
The album Britney, has too much outdated tracks on there for me. That second half is pretty boring with only “What It’s Like To Be Me” standing out (a brilliant ending to the album). That ending is like how Michael Jackson ended his album “Bad”, with “Leave Me Alone”. That’s how amazing that closer is on Britney! Cannot stand the childish “I’m Not a Girl, Yet Not a Woman”, and Overprotected sounds a bit outdated, even though it followed in the same vain as “Stronger” and “You Drive Me Crazy” - both tracks still sound great! Anticipated is a cute, disco-like track but Britney doesn’t own It like she does with promiscuous, sweaty, begging-like “I’m A Slave 4 U” and “Boys”! I’d award Britney a 5.3/10. It’s an average album with too much filler due to many tracks sounding outdated.