(Singles are italicized. Recommendations are in red).First off, I must apologize for using "Its" in place of "It's" in this review's title. There wasn't enough space to use proper grammar AND fit the entirety of my favorite lyric in that one tiny title box. On that note, on to the review:
On her final, pre-breakdown Britney album, In The Zone, Britney Spears really shifted directions from her previous effort, Britney. Rather than songs about love, relationships and growing up, Spears serves up a batch of songs about sex, partying, and dependency (on another person, that is). Is it a bad thing? No, not necessarily. She doesn't totally overdo it, and not every song is about the same thing, which makes In The Zone such a fun record.
1. Me Against The Music (Featuring Madonna) - The first single from the album. For some reason, I have a tendency to not be a huge fan of singles, and this is no exception. Don't get me wrong, I like it, but something about it is just...odd. Madonna's vocals are just too weird and tweaked, making her verse almost painful to listen to.
2. (I Got That) Boom Boom (Featuring The Ying Yang Twins) - I love this one. Britney skillfully blends the Hip-Hop/Rap genre with country and pop, and it's great. The Ying Yang Twins' vocals really shake things up a bit on this really fun track.
3. Showdown - Okay, now it's time to cool things down. This is another really interesting one. It's a bit on the naughty side, but that's what's fun about it. The chorus starts simply with "Here comes the showdown // What goes around comes around // And the crowds are waiting".
4. Breathe On Me - Another sensual, sexy song. It's got a very techno feel to it, so it's another different approach for her.
5. Early Mornin' - This song, produced by Moby, is all about partying, coming home late, and "Getting drunk 'til the break of dawn", because "it don't stop // Til the early mornin'". Its got a spacey, blurry vibe to it, making you feel as if you're drunk or hungover yourself. I really love this one.
6. Toxic - One of Britney's signature songs. In a nutshell, this guy she's talking about...his love is toxic!
7. Outrageous - This has got to be the most bizarre song on the album. The R. Kelly-produced track has a middle-eastern sound, and it just feels so out of place on here. I hate R. Kelly, which is probably one of the reasons I hate this song - because his background howls and hoots, erm, I mean, "vocals" on here are annoying and unnecessary. But, if it's any consolation, I enjoy the Junkie XL Dancehall Mix of the song (that was on her Greatest Hits album).
8. Touch Of My Hand - This song about "lovin' yourself" (for lack of a better appropriate phrase), is so hypnotizing. It's bound to put you in a trance. A good, hypnotizing trance. Very well done!
9. The Hook Up - I really like this fun party song! This would have been a good choice for a single. Very funky, very fun. I just can't praise this one enough.
10. Shadow - I used to skip over this one, but now it's the song I go directly to! It's such a nice slow song that will move you but also has a killer chorus that will never leave your head. Genius.
11. Brave New Girl - Life's been bad? Can't catch a break? Get up, get out and move on with life! Don't dwell on the past! Or at least that's what Britney says in this feelgood song.
12. Everytime - A song about needing someone that it's hard to go on. It's a really sweet, yet haunting ballad. I love it, personally.
13. Me Against The Music (Rishi Rich's Desi Kulcha Remix) (Featuring Madonna) - This is essentially the same as the first track, just with a different beat. Not too much is changed.
14. Don't Hang Up - Only appearing on Non-North American releases, it's easy to see where this song would get on someone's nerves. The chorus is pretty catchy, though.
15. The Answer - Britney's in love, and she wants people to know it! This track is also not on North American pressings.
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