I just got my hand on the US version of Britney’s new album “In
The Zone”. I though I might give you a track-by-track review of
it.
(1) Me Against The Music – This floor stompin’ hip hop number opens
the album and declares Britney’s newly crafted ability to finally
master a genuine hip hop song. The album version is the same as what
you hear on the radio now.
(2) I Got That Boom Boom – It opens with the Ying Yang Twins
declaring “Shout it, we fixin to go to the club to get krunk
with Britney”. Suddenly, you are hit with a sexy barage of beats
as the Ying Yang Twins openly say what we’ve been thinking: “The
Ying Yang Twins and WHO??”. It is similar to Boys except that
she has finally gotten comfortable in this sound.Would be an
excellent single.(3)Showdown – Opens with some bass and funky sounds as Britney
breathily says something. She begins a sing/rap verse in a Janet
Jackson manner. Then a verse starts. It sounds really in the left
field of her usual stuff. Most of the lyrics are breathy. Not much
singing. It almost has a jamaican feel. It is a good driving song.
(4) Breathe On Me – My second favourite on the album. It opens with
some intresting electrical beats and Britney begins to sing very
sexily. The lyrics are bordering on dirty. Definately a really new
and very good direction for her. Her voice sounds like heaven. You
can totally get lost in this song. Definate single material
(5) Early Mornin’ – Opens with a bass line and drum beats as britney
breathily talks about the night before. She begins to sing/rap about
what happened. The sound and all definately sound like what she’s
aiming for. Its like the music from the previous night echoes in her
head as she recalls what happens. She’s also groaning as if she has a
headache. Really cool song, quite catchy. Would be a good club
release, but is kind of repetitive.
(6) Toxic – opens with a sound very similar to Linkin Parks
“Numb”. Then it bursts into music that sounds like Rachel
Stevens “Sweet Dreams my LA Ex”, only faster. Then the two
sounds cross. Then the chorus kicks in. Its wild, funky, and almost
“beach babe-ish”. It sounds very mysterious and its a good
song to shake it to.
(7) Outrageous – the BEST hip hop song on the album. Obviously
produced by R Kelly. Should ABSOLUTELY be a single. Has great hip-hop
beats, some whistles, and middle eastern influence.
(8) Touch Of My Hand – GO BRITNEY. This is my favourite song on the
album. This song is about, as she puts it, “Indulging in
yourself”. It opens with a middle eastern sitar type sound and
then a heavy electronic base line joins in. She begins to sing and
then a great drum loop beat breaks in. This song is absolutely
hypnotic. It starts and you can’t turn it off, its so good. This song
has absolutely got to be a single. The production on it is amazing.
Her voice is really great. The two blend together to create a
passionate and yet beautiful declaration of Britney’s love for
‘self-appreciation’. “another day without a lover…the more i
come to understand the touch of my hand” ;). I wouldn’t think
she could turn this subject into such a beautiful hypnotic song.
(9) The Hook Up – Starts with some jaimaican man shouting something.
Britney begins to sing something hip-hopish and another great beat
breaks out. This is a great dancehall song. Would be a great summer
single and is definately fun in the sun.
(10) Shadow – Starts with a string into as Britney declares regrets
about ‘someone’. Then a great rock/trance chorus breaks out.
“its only a shadow, leaving too soon”. Well we can all
guess who this is about. Its a lovely song. The beats sway and
Britney shows her artistic side with this one. Really good to sing
along to!
(11) Brave New Girl – starts out with that sample from some cowgirl
song and then the beat kicks in and britney begins to rap and her
voice starts to be electrically synthesized. Great song for driving
and getting ready for fun. The lightest and most fun song on the
album. You can’t hate this song! It’s just too good.
(12) Everytime – Begins with a quite and beautiful harp and piano
intro. She begins to sing this sad number in a vulnerable delicate
way. Her voice is absolutely haunting. Sounds identical to her
performance on SNL until the middle of the second verse when some
snapping and soft beats come into play. During the breakdown, some
nice guitar riffs are in the background. Then “this song’s my
sorry” is sung and the song almost stops and you can literally
feel the power of those words. Poor Britney. She may be heartbroken
but she created her most amazing song to date because of it. If she
releases this as a single, i see it going straight to the top of the
charts. Congratulations to Britney on such an excellent song.

Overall, you can definately expect to be surprised with this album.
If i didn’t know better i would say it wasn’t even her. This album is
so fresh, creative, and innovative that everyone can only applaud
Britney on her new found self. With this album we finally see all of
the Britney that was before only peeking through. It’s a wonderful
journey of her self discovery that leaves you begging for more.
ENJOY!

Unfortunately that’s the end of the US version. The tracklisting is
not only in a different order than i expected, but its also a lot
shorter. The UK version has 3 extra songs: “MATM” Remix,
“The Answer”, and “DOn’t Hang Up”. Such a shame
because i would love to hear “Don’t Hang Up” and the rest
of “The Answer”. I prefer the MATM remix to the original
though.