the 31 best of 2008 – 12: Britney Spears – Circus

Now, I am sure than more than a few of you were expecting this; so don’t act surprised that Britney (the only other album released this month that did so) made my year end list. I for one, was filled with trepidation about Britney staging another “comeback” so close to last year’s failed attempt, but after hearing Womanizer, I knew that she wasn’t playing around this time. The song, albeit annoying to some, has everything that is necessary to be a pop hit; and it was. In fact, Womanizer was only Britney’s second number one single, after the massive pop classic Baby One More Time, and if that isn’t indicative of a comeback, I don’t know what is.

After one listen of Circus,I must say that I almost forgot about Blackout; not only is miles above Blackout, but Britney managed to actually sing on this album, and it sounds like she did way more than phone it in (which is what was wrong with much of Blackout, and why it didn’t really serve as a real comeback). She picked top producers, like she always does, but this time, they gave her hit after hit to fill her record to the brim with radio-ready pop singles. Seriously, this may be the most single-heavy album of her career; this record is put together with the style and swagger of a greatest hits record.

Now, I know that singing praises about Britney Spears is as touchy as talking one’s own religion up, so if you want to roll your eyes, please go ahead. However, note that this is the real definition of pop, and Britney has, in essence, done it again. She has taken a tattered public image, and overcome personal demons, and turned out a fantastic pop record. The only reason that this record didn’t fair better in my countdown, is because of two things; there is one song I could have done without (the almost ridiculous Mmm Papi), and there was one GLARING omission of perhaps one of Britney’s top three songs she’s ever done, Amnesia. Amnesia was offered as a bonus track on the deluxe version of Circusin the UK, but I cannot understand why this massive track wasn’t front and center; it is pop perfection, and I can’t help but ding the record for leaving it off (especially when you can get it on the UK version!). Overall, this record is a true return to form for Britney; top notch production, radio-ready singles, blaring club ready tracks, and the soft and subtle actual singing of Ms. Spears. Love her or hate her (as she sings on If You Seek Amy), there is one thing that is clear, Britney isn’t going to just roll over and disappear into a sea of tabloids and rumors; with Circus, she proves that she still has some gas left in her engine, and that she is more than capable of turning out another fantastic pop album. If this doesn’t “restart” her career, I fear nothing will; this album is damn near perfect, and she seems to be in a place to finally get things back on track to being the pop princess I have loved all these years.

Sparkle Factor:
Stand Outs: Circus [audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/britney-circus.mp3]
Amnesia [audio:http://www.duanemoody.com/audio/britney-amnesia.mp3]
Womanizer, If You Seek Amy, Unusual You, Trouble, Rock Boy, Kill The Lights.