In The Zone [ENHANCED]

Britney Spears

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 18, 2003)
• Original Release Date: November 18, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Jive
• Copy Protected
• ASIN: B0000DD7LB
• Also Available in: DVD Audio  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1,865 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #9,884 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

However coy she might be in her public statements, Britney Spears leans more than a bit toward the provocative on In the Zone. Less concerned with aiming at the mainstream radio dial than in the first days of her career, she and her collaborators make this as street and club ready a record as possible. The opening duet with Madonna, "Me Against the Music," is worthy, but the bigger superstar’s presence serves almost less as a performance than a key to Britney’s intentions: as Madonna did on albums such as Erotica , Ray of Light, and Music, she’s out to bend current trends to her needs. R. Kelly, Moby, and Ying Yang Twins all provide stirring moments that draw on everything from Bollywood to Southern hip-hop, while one of the most impressive tracks, "Touch of My Hand," joins the proud tradition of Cyndi Lauper’s "She Bop." She still lacks a fully formed artistic vision of her own, but Zone, with its many get-free anthems, puts her much closer. --Rickey Wright

Product Description

Jive Recording artist Britney Spears is set to release her 4th album, In The Zone on November 18. The first single "Me Against The Music" features Madonna. Britney Spears co-wrote 7 of the 13 songs on the album. Some of the producers/writers on the album include Moby ("Early Mornin'"), Bloodshy & Avant ("Showdown"), Guy Sigsworth ("Everytime") and R. Kelly ("Outrageous").

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not what you expect, but satisfying, November 21, 2003

By A Customer

Track-by-Track Review:

1. Me Against The Music featuring Madonna - Probably one of the worst songs off the album. It was a good single for the kick off with of course, Madonna, but you're sick of it by the time you get the album. 6/10

2. (I Got That) Boom Boom featuring The Ying Yang Twins - This is a great R&B song. I think the choice of the Ying Yang Twins wasn't too great, because I think that their raps are complete trash. Despite the rap, this song deserves applause. 8/10

3. Showdown - This song ventures off into more of a Caribbean beat. It's very daring. I'm not exactly feeling the coo-ing in the verses, but the chorus is pure gold. 7/10

4. Breathe On Me - Everyone says this is the highlight of the album, but I'm not too sure of it. It sounds kind of like Kylie Minogue's Can't Get You Out Of My Head. I don't think that Britney's voice is very fit for dance/trance tracks. A good try. 7/10

5. Early Mornin' - I think that Britney's choice to collaborate with Moby was fantastic. I'm not exactly a Moby fan, but the outcome of the alternative Early Mornin' is definitely fantastic. My only reccomendation is that Britney could have sung a little louder so the backup singers wouldn't swallow her up. 9/10

6. Toxic - I first heard this on her MTV Special, and this song persuaded me to buy the album. This is very unique and completely caught my attention. I'm not sure what makes it so great but it's the highlight of the album. 9/10

7. Outrageous - R. Kelly's urban masterpiece is also a highlight. Even though the lyrics are a bit pushing-it, it sure is a sign of Britney's maturity. Outrageous breaks the hip-hop line and by far stays behind it. 9/10

8. Touch Of My Hand - Thanks but no thanks. I think it's a try at nothing and a big miss. 3/10

9. The Hook Up - The Hook Up competes with Eastern-flavored beats and contaigous reggae. This song is original and a best. It's a great example of that Britney can try new things and succeed at the fullest. 8/10

10. Shadow - I don't know what it is, but on this album I'm just not in the mood for ballads. I don't think that this song at all excelled what it was meant to win over. Yeah, OK I'll give her some credit for co-penning it, but otherwise I'm not interested. 4/10

11. Brave New Girl - Britney sure is brave on this track. She starts rapping at the beginning (which I think is pretty good, if I do say so myself), but then it just goes away and it turns into this tune you'd hear on the ...Baby One More Time album. So it's mediocre. I thought the whole point of this album was to grow up. 7/10

12. Everytime - Ahhh...now we enter the world of touching ballads. This song is very nice and is a perfect end. It is without a doubt Britney's best work of songwriting off this whole album and that stinker Dear Diary (see Oops! I Did It Again). Good job, Brit. 8/10

13. Me Against The Music (Rishi Rich's Desi Kulcha Remix) - I personally prefer it over the original, but most people aren't interested. It is a superb remix (actually one of the best I've ever heard) and it doesn't drag on for 10 minutes. 9/10

Overall, 7.2/10. Pretty good but could've been better. Too bad there's no enhanced section, etc. I can't exactly whether you should buy it or not because everyone should find out for themselves. This is a love or hate situation and you could go either way on IN THE ZONE.

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Should be her best seller!, January 10, 2004

By	Ososexilexi (Philadelphia, PA) - See all my reviews

It's really a shame that this new album is on track to be her worst selling record to date, because it is truly the best work that she has put forward. Brit had a hand in writing most of the songs on this album, and it is a nice change to hear her belt out a tune that is close to her heart. We have all heard about the "Justin song", which is the second to the last track titled, "Everytime". Yet I haven't heard tell of the song "Shadow" that is heartwrenching and obviously about a true love lost. "Toxic" is an awesome dance song with a great beat. The two overtly sexual songs "Touch Of My Hand" and "Breathe On Me" are seductive and lulling as well as tastefully done. Pure mood music. The maturity of these two songs is apparent and relatable to women of all ages. "The Hook Up" is her first attempt at rapping and is quite catchy, a club song that you can really shake your ass to. I highly suggest this album, even if you are not a Britney fan. She has put forth a tremendous effort and it shows. Give the girl a chance, it's well worth the money.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Britneys Spears Gets ''In The Zone'' With Listeners, February 24, 2004

By	MJ "MJ" (Denmark) - See all my reviews

2003's ''In The Zone'' saw pop princess Britney Spears release her most mature album to date. The bubblegum offerings are replaced with a sting of club-oriented instalments and a tougher, yet sensual sound dominating the disc. Perhaps the urge for evolving both personally and artistic, she felt the need to explore different music styles and working with current producers. I'm for once glad she did. ''In The Zone'' is a more solid effort than its predecessors. It's evident the musical quality is better than those of her previously released records, however her voice still leaves a bit to desire on ''In The Zone''. Perhaps we may see an improvement in the years to come as I'm sure Britney will still be relevant on the music scene in some way or another.

The album opens with the lead single ''Me Against The Music''. The song saw the two pop tarts Britney and Madonna in perhaps the most anticipated duet of the last couple of years. One would think these two sassy ladies would have come up with a more interesting collaboration, but sadly it wasn't so. The song does have its moments-a somewhat catchy hook and the ''In The Zone'' bit, however the collaboration still remains a disappointment to this reviewer. Surely there are stronger tracks on ''In The Zone''. It puzzles me why ''Me Against The Music'' was chosen as the first single lifted off the album, perhaps the Queen of Reinvention appearance on the offering had much to do with the decision.

Another highlight would include the current top 20 hit single in the US ''Toxic''. This erotic slice of pop perfection screams hit from a distance. Even non-Britney lovers feel force to admit ''Toxic'' is indeed catchy and one of Britney's best songs to date. I believe Cathy Dennis who penned ''Can't Get You Out Of My Head'' wrote ''Toxic'' for Miss. Spears. It's is expect to hit the top 10 within the next couple of weeks and it's already a massive hit in Europe, giving Britney top 10 positions in several countries. ''In The Zone'' consists of Britney's most interesting and perhaps best song to date, the infectious ''Breathe On Me''. Its Kylie/Madonna-eqsue quality may gain Britney liaisons of new-found admirers if this sensual festival is offered as a single release with a super sexy video accompany it and knowing Britney, she will try her best to do exact that. The moaning and her raspy voice works extremely well with the music and perhaps this is the music direction Britney should focus on in the coming years.

Others songs deservedly of a mention are ''Early Morning'' and ''Showdown''. The former is a Moby production, which is clearly evident upon hearing the song. The electronic slow-burner is enjoyable and hopefully Miss Spears and Moby may do more work in the future. ''Showdown'' has a killer beat and it's definitely worthy of a single release. The reggae-inspired boogie romp is among the stronger tracks on ''In The Zone'' and a personal favourite of mine. ''Touch Of My Hand'' is set to catch several listeners' attention with its subject- that of masturbation. Looks like Britney isn't so innocent anymore huh?
''Everytime'' seems to be Britney's rebuttal to her former ex-boyfriend Justin Timberlake. It's clearly one of her better vocal performance. Her voice isn't drowned in the production of the music and it's refreshing to hear some melody and real instruments on ''In The Zone''.

However ''In The Zone'' does have its weak moments-the silly upbeat I Got That (Boom Boom), the R. Kelly-penned ''Outrageous'', the un-inspired ''Brave New Girl'' and the annoying ''The Hook-Up''. Despite the weak material may not be entirely enjoyable at times, ''In The Zone'' has several good offerings for the listener.

It's evident that Britney isn't among the best vocalist, but neither is Madonna, Kylie or Janet. Those three ladies compensate in other areas and they are still regarded by millions to be among the top notch divas. Having said that Britney doesn't compare to any of those feisty ladies, however she still has years to prove her worth in the music department. She may surprise you in the years to come, you never know.

''In The Zone'' sees Britney attempting to find a music style that suits her, however she doesn't quite succeed just yet. The next couple of years will determinate whether or not Britney finds her niche. The overproduced sound is evident on several songs and her voice may be annoying to a few listeners, but overall ''In The Zone'' is a tolerable release.

Overall Rate: 6.5/10