 "Photo: Gerald Holubowicz<br><i>ABACAUSA</i>")
Britney Spears is nothing if not an expert in nomenclature. Her latest release, "Circus," is aptly named in its description of both the music it presents as well as the last year of Spears' life. "Circus" is hardly reminiscent of flying trapezes, clowns or lion tamers, but instead the album most closely resembles a circus freak show - it has a little bit of everything, and most of it doesn't make much sense. Although several of the songs featured on "Circus" are both entertaining and catchy, the album's true problem is that this circus lacks a ringleader to bring cohesiveness.
After a year of almost infinite tabloid appearances, Spears seems to be back to her old self. While there are many who still love the Britney that found fame a decade ago, the Britney of "Circus" isn't quite the same. It seems that after a drama-filled year, Spears has tried to reinvent herself, just as Madonna has done so many times. However, Spears wasn't able to emulate Madonna's radical transformations. So, instead of a plaid skirt-clad, saccharine-filled teen queen, "Circus" showcases a woman who, despite undeniable talent, seems confused about where she is going.
"Circus" shows Spears trying out a number of different images, but the only one that is truly believable is the Spears we have known for the last 10 years. For this reason, tracks like "Womanizer" and "Circus" have been wildly popular, but other tracks won't be as eagerly received even by the most die-hard fans.
"Mmm Papi" is Spears at her best. The track reflects strong Latin influences, which is unexpected from a Louisiana-born pop star, but she makes it work. The song is upbeat and fast-paced, perfect for a girls' night out.
Unfortunately, Spears is not always so true to her musical reputation. Britney's various attempts to expand her horizons as she explores new musical styles are admirable, but often in vain. "Blur," for example, is a musical trainwreck. The combination of Spears' vocals, electronically produced music and attempts at R&B are over-processed.
Most ironic is the juxtaposition of songs like "Blur," that describe a woman trying to answer the question "What did I do last night?" as she nurses a hangover, with the highly sentimental "My Baby." A love ballad presumably written to her sons, "My Baby" shows off Spears' extensive vocal range - something rarely seen. While the song has a nice sentiment, it doesn't fit with the rest of the album.
Those who love Spears will surely enjoy the complexity of "Circus," while those who don't will find that they dislike the album because it sounds too much like everything else Spears has ever produced. Although she made a noteworthy effort to reinvent herself after an unforgettable year, her attempts only prove that she performs best when she sticks to what fans know and love. While it's not always easy to listen to, Spears' "Circus" is definitely entertaining.
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