Soundbite: “Circus“
By Vanessa Labi
Nov. 30, 2008 9:26 p.m.
Perhaps the best thing to be said about Britney Spears is that, even during one of the most public breakdowns in music history, few ever doubted her. It was only a question of when, not if, she would orchestrate her comeback. The comeback frenzy is, of course, based around her sixth album, aptly titled “Circus,” which comes out Dec. 2 on her 27th birthday.
For someone like Spears, there exists a separate, distinctive checklist for what constitutes a successful comeback. A hit record would be the best weapon for any musician; for Britney, her signature abs and intricate choreography are as much requirements as a No. 1 hit (which she already achieved with the hypnotically repetitive single, “Womanizer”). As for the return of the abs on which her career has been based, I have to admit I had some doubt. But after watching the MTV documentary, “Britney: For the Record,” it’s clear that the new Britney is thin, glowing and with a full head of hair. Sweet n’ saucy good looks: check. As for the choreography, she has a lot to make up for since her disastrous 2007 VMA performance. “Womanizer,” however, has all the elements of a good Britney video: wigs, sharp choreography and Britney slapping around some poor, clueless hunk. Sweet moves: check.
Britney’s last two record titles have been suggestively characteristic of her respective condition at each time. “Blackout” in 2007 could easily describe the comatose vacation she took from her career and persona. However, “Circus” describes pretty much every aspect of her life as of late, from her personal life and mental state to the media frenzy surrounding her.
Fortunately, the album isn’t too circus-heavy. Instead, the songs have a uniformity of fluid party beats, although a bit more subdued than the in-your-face clubbiness of “Blackout.” The album is strong, uniting sweet, silky-voiced Britney with “not-that-innocent” Britney to make a dance album with intricate yet catchy melodies and solid, polished songs. The album has a sense of freshness with new elements of maturity, honesty and confidence that somehow come through in her voice, which, if in the past ever sounded as if it was trying too hard, now sounds confident and convincing. For example, Britney owns in the title track, “Circus,” where she opens haughtily, “I’m a put-on-a-show kind of girl.” This is the song that reintroduces Britney as the Queen of Pop.
Another song that lets her personality shine is the ballad, “Out From Under.” This gentle gem sees Britney revealing a vulnerable quality similar to “Blackout’s” “Why Should I Be Sad,” except the current one gives personal hints in small doses as opposed to past songs’ specific biographical details about her public image and tabloid woes. “Out From Under” is more vague but still shows her vulnerability. She does not make herself the focus of the entire album, which makes it more balanced and leaves us wanting more.
If there were a dud on “Circus,” it would have to be “Mmm Papi.” With hints of islandy Cuban flavor, it is the silliest track on the album with moans, squeals and suggestive comments.
Speaking of vocals, “Circus” manages to balance both showing off Britney’s trademark syrupy voice and drowning it in effects. Her voice still has a special quality in its own right, definitely singing more than she did on the talk- and chant-heavy “Blackout.”
Overall, the album is a success with plenty of dance hits and fantastic writing in the songs, “Kill the Lights,” “Shattered Glass” and, of course, “Circus.” The album resurrects Britney into not just her former self, but a new Britney who is more honest and complex, and therefore more likeable.
E-mail Labi at [email protected].
