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Product description ------------------- Britney Spears - In the Zone - CD .co.uk ------ For Britney Spears, In the Zone is more than just her fourth album; it's a pivotal moment which could decide the length of the rest of her career. Having literally outgrown the role of teen sensation, she now has to prove she's got what it takes to grow up and fulfil her Madonna ( /exec/obidos/artist-search/Madonna/${0} )-sized ambition. Adulthood calls for adult themes, and for Britney that means sex--and lots of it. In a staggering about-face, In the Zone takes her from vestal virgin to hyper-sophisticated nymphomaniac. The saucy Arabian shimmy and quietly euphoric chorus of "Toxic" has her delirious with carnal delight, "Showdown" is steamy cyber-funk lesson in how to tease, while "Touch of My Hand" is a none-to-discreet celebration of solo stimulation, with Britney purring to a swimming groove "I love myself, it's not a sin". Like single "Me Against the Music", featuring Madonna at her corruptive best, it's all a long way from the cute Britney of old, and if not as instantly catchy, her new direction is deceptively addictive. Less sensational R&B fillers and a couple of slushy ballads aside, she's made the jump with style and grace, and it looks like Ms Spears could be with us for some time yet. --Dan Gennoe BBC Review ---------- With this, Britney Spears' fourth album, the former little girl diva of pop is desperate to prove that she is now a proper grown up. If her last offering saw the singer straddling the two worlds of girlhood and womanhood, then this one sees her announcing her distinctly adult intentions. She is twenty-two after all! Sadly, her attempts to prove her new-found maturity are what overwhelm and cloud all that is good about Into The Zone. The album opens very confidently with "Me Against The Music" which,althugh it has more than a passing similarity to a Justin Timberlake production, still manages to sound fresh and as funky as hell. Cries of 'let me see you dance' and 'time to party all night long' emphasise our heroine's love of the good time. Britney clearly relishes her new role as nightclub siren, but she somehow doesn't quite convince. "Showdown" and "Toxic" are produced by the Bloodshy & Avant team and, though hardly original, have the catchy hooks you'd expect from the duo. "Breathe On Me" is very reminiscent of Madonna during her Ray Of Light period, offering welcome after the overcrowded chanting of "(I Got That) Boom Boom". The Moby produced "Early Morning" is the standout track on this collection. Its contagious, down-tempo groove and soaring string chorus all add up to make a brilliantly simple piece of pop. The other high point is "Touch Of My Hand", its sugary sweet harmonies can't help but impress. (It features Madonna, just in case you've been living on Mars). "Shadow" is Spear's only return to the power ballad and it's a fairly lukewarm affair; it sounds more like a Pop Idol release than a Britney one. She should stick to the more adventurously upbeat formula. She should also place less emphasis on how self-fulfilled she has become, in repeatedly declaring this she simply draws attention to all the growing up she still has to do. Don't rush it girl! Enjoy being young! --Ruth Mitchell Find more music at the BBC ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/syn//albumreviews/-/music/ ) This link will take you off in a new window