What if you were a Critic?

[Quiet Desperation]

Okay, I got the idea of this thread to discuss movies, music, and tv series - critics style. You know how critics review a movie, an album and tv series? So, what not do the same, or something similar to that. For example I want to review an episode or a season of a show (not a long review), I write my dislikes and likes along with a rating over five stars. And that does open discussion. Not sure if you like the idea. What do you guys think? Would you be up to it?

[Nerf]

I think it's a good idea. Give it a go. Write a review, see what happens.

[Quiet Desperation]

Okay, I'll write one up tommorow and post it.

[Dark Witch.]

This is an interesting idea. I may just have to do that. I did a lot of reviwing for my spanish project, Haha. Again, nice idea Manar .

[Quiet Desperation]

I just finished a review.

Music Review
Britney Spears – Circus
4 out of 5 Stars

Britney Spears returned to her old self after her 2007 'club album' (as I like it call it), "Blackout". Although that was a good album, "Circus", the latest sixth studio album, is much better. The title is of the album is a great one. It's simple yet powerful. Now, moving on to the songs of "Circus", Spears recorded 4 acoustic tracks, "Out From Under", the best out of those 4 and one of the best out of all the album, "Unusual You", which is a song about a woman who notices her lover's change to the better, and that songs does sound nice and sweet. The two other slow songs, "My Baby", which is a song dedicated to her baby and "Blur" is a song that I ignore, and find it to be my least favorite track of the album. As for the non-slow songs, "If U Seek Amy", which, even though one of the best tracks of the album, is titled like that to avoid using "F-U-C-K Me", and I don't find that so great. "Circus" and "Womanizer" are two awesome songs, which does have you dancing and singing along. Both songs have great lyrics, tunes and beats. "Amnesia", a bonus track, should be listened more than just once or twice, because it's simply a perfect-Britney song, with nice lyrics like, "I get Amnesia when I'm standing next to you. Uh-oh." "Mmm Papi" has a great beat, and Britney does sound funny in some parts of the song, but lacks a good tune. Other nice tracks include "Shattered Glass" and "Lace and Leather". The phone-sex bonus, "Phonography", is actually a good, seductive song that firs perfectly in a Spears album. "Rock Me In", a bonus track, "Kill the Lights" and "Mannequin" are other songs that are simply just there for me and I don't care for them. "Circus" is a perfect album for all pop fans, which includes what I like to call, great music. I'm glad Britney got back on the first road she was on.

Best Tracks: "Womanizer", "Circus", "Out From Under", "If U Seek Amy" and "Amnesia".

Hope you guys still like the idea. Oh, I picked "Circus" because many people are more common with it.

[Nerf]

GASP! No... "Blackout" all the way, baby! It is my favorite Britney album. Britney had been off my radar (heh, no pun intended) for years. Then I decided to just buy "Blackout" (which came out on my birthday) to see what was up and BAM! Been obsessed with her ever since. I love this album. Even songs I didn't really like at first I have grown to enjoy. I can listen to it all the way through without skipping any songs and those songs have been played hundreds of times since I got it.

But back to "Circus." After "Blackout", it is my next favorite. It certainly did have more of a variety of sounds than the previous album with some wonderful ballads. This album also had several songs that I didn't really like on the first few listens, but now have become pretty attached to. I really disliked "Blur", but now I have grown to like it. It is actual the track where Britney's vocals are the most clear. Most of the songs on the album are full of computer effects and echoes, not giving us much of her true voice. People will claim that is because she can't really sing, but yes she can. When we get clear glimpses of her voice on some of the songs, it is really beautiful, and those are my favorite parts. Besides, listen to the "Oops!" album. Very little vocal effects on that. The style of that album is not my favorite, but it is her best album vocally. I do think part of the reason for effects is todays electro style, and also I think that her music peeps don't have as much faith in her. And I do think she has lost some of her vocal ability, but the girl can still sing and I wish more of that would come through in her songs.

Anyway, back to the songs. I loooove "If U Seek Amy", it is my favorite off of the album. Although, it is my least favorite music video. I think at the core of this song it is about a girl who gets f**ked over by the people around her, people who for years have just wanted to use her. It would have been awesome if that had been shown in the video, but nope. Just had some crappy sex romp video with zero meaning. Maybe a little at the end, but... blah. Just pushing forward the view that sex is all this girl is about. I'm kind of getting sick of it. I love her and her music, but I want to see her grow and mature as an artist. They are still having her act like a sex crazed teen.

Anyway, a few songs you didn't mention that are bonus tracks: "Quicksand", which is a beautiful song that I love, "Rock Boy" is okay, and "Trouble" which is a great, fun song. I think I'll just rank the songs now.

1. If U Seek Amy
2. Circus
3. Unusual You
4. Womanizer

... Okay, I can't do this. It's too hard. I like so many of the songs the same amount, and they switch around in ranking all the time. So instead I'll just say that my favorite song is "If U Seek Amy" and my least favorite is Amnesia. Sometimes I kind of like it, but... eh. Also low on the list is "Rock Me In" and "My Baby", the second being a beautiful song, but not one I care to listen to much. The first is just... there. Not much substance or feeling. Oh, Manar, I do disagree with you on "Mannequin" and "Kill the Lights." Love them both. Mannequin is a great dance song. And we have seen Britney doing an awesome dance with it, so why the hell doesn't she do that in her tour?! AGH! ... Grr. Don't get me started on her tour and her dancing of late.

One last note: I do not count Radar as a part of this album. I don't care what they say, it is a "Blackout" track. I knew from the instant I saw it on the track listing that the only reason they put it on there is so they could have it as a single and do a video for it. They wanted to do it during Blackout, but Jive canceled it because Britney had already started on the next album. So they just slapped it on this one. And I was right. Love the song, but still.

[Quiet Desperation]

Wow, Ian, awsome review you wrote there. You inspire me to write a much more detailed review next time. I also love "Blackout"(I think that would be my next review), alot, I just prefer "Circus".

I actually never heard those bonys tracks, I don't have them. I have the...uhm, un-original CD, . Yup, that's how it is in Lebanon, it's cheap (very cheap) and illeagal (no one does anything about it, and there are hundreds of stores like that). Anyways, back to topic. I'm gonna hear them now. I bet thery're great.

Just pushing forward the view that sex is all this girl is about. I'm kind of getting sick of it. I love her and her music, but I want to see her grow and mature as an artist. They are still having her act like a sex crazed teen.

I agree. I was trying to get my cousin to listen to some "Circus" songs, and then he said "I don't like sex songs." Haha. But I doubt Britney would give up that factor in her future albums (boy, I wonder when that'd be. I hope soon)

Oh, Manar, I do disagree with you on "Mannequin" and "Kill the Lights." Love them both. Mannequin is a great dance song. And we have seen Britney doing an awesome dance with it.

Both of those songs have great beats, but I don't care about them much. But maybe I'll turn out liking them in the end, just like you did with "Blur". Hmm, maybe I'll start listening to that.

Anyways, it was awsome to read that review of yours, Ian. Thanks for partipating. I enjoyed reading this. I'm gonna try and whip a review for "Blackout".

edit: Oh, btw, I didn't know that about "Radar". As much as I love that track, it's pretty stupid just to add it just to make it a single. Btw, didn't she record a new version?

[Nerf]

I actually don't have those bonus songs (Quicksand, Rock Boy, Trouble) on my physical CD. The first two were released as bonuses in other countries (at least Quicksand was, Rock Boy may have been un-released) and Trouble was a track you could only get by pre-ordering the album on itunes. *cough* Didn't do that. I got these songs by other means.

And pfft! No, she didn't record a new version of Radar. It's exactly the same as the one on Blackout. Looking forward to your review on that, btw.

[Quiet Desperation]

Jun 19, 2009 21:27:28 GMT Nerf said:

The first two were released as bonuses in other countries (at least Quicksand was, Rock Boy may have been un-released) and Trouble was a track you could only get by pre-ordering the album on itunes. *cough* Didn't do that. I got these songs by other means.

Lol. Gottcha. I still haven't heard those yet. i fogot about them.

And pfft! No, she didn't record a new version of Radar. It's exactly the same as the one on Blackout. Looking forward to your review on that, btw.

Oh, right. Haha. I can't imagine Britney recording the same song after a year, she'd to be tired and not up to it. (okay, that was lame). Anyways, I guess I'll whip that review for "Blackout" tomorrow or Sunday.

edit:

Okay, time for the review of Britney Spears' "Blackout". I decided to rate the album in the end. I'm listening to the album while I review.

I'm gonna start with "Gimme More". The song is club-friendly. For me, it's one of my favorite songs on the album. The beat is awesome. The lyrics are very Britney-ish. The whole song just has a great sound, and very good vocals from Spears. Moving on to "Piece of Me", which is a great anti-paparazzi, 'leave me alone' song. It's another awesome song on "Blackout". The beats are terrific, and Britney sounds great. The lyrics are perfect for a song of this kind. I love it.

"Break the Ice" is another great song. I loved it the first time I actually heard it. I remember watching the video and not liking the song, but then I loved once I got the album. The beats have a great sound, like Britney's vocals. This song is one of the highlights of the album. "Radar" has very recently become my favorite track "Blackout". The beats and sounds of the music are amazing, the vocals are perfect. A perfect, dancy song.

"Heaven on Earth" has a nice beat and tune. But something sounds wrong about it. I'm not sure what it is. I guess, maybe, it's not as dancy and loud as the pervious songs. Now that I'm listening to it, it's not a bad song at all. I though it was horrible in the beginning. Now I'm going to become negative with "Get Naked (I Got a Plan)". I like the beats. But I'm not a huge fan of the tune and the overall result of the song. It's just not a good track.

Back to positive. "Freakshow" is an awesome song. I love it. Great tune, beats, lyrics, everything, really. It's just a perfect track on "Blackout". Plus, I love the title of the song. "Toy Soldier" is a song that I'm not too keen about. I like Britney's 'rap', I like the tune. Okay…I'm changing my mind about it (listening to it). I like it, actually. I'm loving "Blackout" more than ever.

"Hot as Ice", with it's a great title, has a catchy beat. A part of the chorus, when those guys say sing in the background, sounds like an Eminem sound. What I don't like about this song is the tune. Its okay, I guess. Next is "Ooh Ooh Baby", which has a similarity to "Womanizer" from her next album "Circus". The lyrics are no stranger from a Britney song. Overall, it's an okay song. Not a huge fan.

"Perfect Lover" I learned to love last night. It's such a seductive song. One of my favorites on the album. I love the beat and sound of this. Simply seductive lyrics. Haha. The last track, "Why Should I Be Sad" is a nice song. It's like the only actual semi-ballad track on the whole album. I'm not a huge fan it, now that I listen to it and think about it.

Best Tracks (not in any particular order):"Piece of Me", "Gimme More", "Radar", "Break the Ice", "Freakshow", and "Perfect Lover".

I'm beginning to change my mind about "Circus" being the better album. Yup, I did. I prefer "Blackout" now. I kind of feel like it has more of a fun sound and I think Britney sounds like she's enjoying herself a lot, especially her scandal back at the time.

"Blackout" gets a rating of 4.5/5.

[Dark Witch.]

I just read your reviews. i have to agree with everything you say. EXCEPT! In Blackout, I do like "Get Naked". I mean, yeah th emeaning is like..eh, but I just look at songs for the beat and all, and it is a pretty good beat in my opinion. I look at lyrics second, and most of the time, i really dont mind it. So that was pretty much my only counter haha. Thanks for the reviews.