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Britney SpearsIn the Zone Jive/BMG Oh dear. Looks like I'm going to have to perform some serious penance for the Gods of Metal after giving this one a listen: especially since I um... liked it! Then again, I always have had a thing for the lovely (and unfairly-maligned) Ms Spears and it does indeed please me to report that her latest release proves as enjoyable a listening experience as all of her others; perhaps even more so. One of the most noteworthy tracks is the opening Me Against The Music, if only because of the duet with Madonna (admittedly it's a little cheesy, but is still infectious). A longer remix of it is provided as a bonus track and proves the better of the two versions, incorporating some very interesting Egyptian-sounding music in many places. Similar Middle Eastern backing is found in the seductive Outrageous while Touch of My Hand also contains some exotic touches: in this instance, some distinctly Japanese-sounding strings. Other stand-outs include the upbeat Brave New Girl, which contains a significant '80s electronic component; and the beautiful Everytime, a gentle and moving piece set to piano (and containing some sections that sounds to be generated by a music box). Also of note is the sensual-sounding and fun (I Got That) Boom Boom, in which Britney collaborates with a pair called the Ying Yang Twins. Containing some bursts of banjo, this one also has a delightfully catchy chorus thanks to pounding drum beats that accompany every "boom boom." Britney sounds sultry throughout and ably demonstrates just what a beautiful voice she has. The lyrics are rather facile, but then again, that's really only to be expected from a pop album. A very pleasing effort overall, yes indeed. Now someone go fetch me my cat-o-nine-tails and a bucket of brine!  |
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