CD review: Circus - Britney Spears

[KiwiCoromandel]

Like the surprisingly good Blackout last year, it's again tempting to see Circus as further evidence that when Britney Spears' career is on the slide and she's the No. 1 internet search name, up goes the creativity and quality of her recordings.

Blackout had a dark rhythm-and-blues-fuelled edge, making it the best thing since the single Toxic.

Circus still has the aura of a 24/7 celebrity under pressure, and the lyrics again possibly allude to recent sagas, including the title song.

But Circus is more accessible and has stronger hooks on several tracks, including Shattered Glass, Womanizer, Kill the Lights and two strong ballads - Out from Under and Unusual You.

So, ultimately, it's even better than Blackout. How much this has to do with Spears or her collaborators is hard to tell.

But when it's the unapologetic pop of If U Seek Amy, who cares?

I never thought I'd write a sentence praising Justin Timberlake, then out came FutureSex/LoveSounds.

Ex-girlfriend Spears has produced her equivalent. If this is what a meltdown can lead to, then all I can say is - good career move.

source:Tom Cardy/The Dominion Post

image:The Dominion Post