In the Zone

Infobox Album
Name = In the Zone
Type = studio
Artist = Britney Spears


Released = flagicon|World November 16, 2003
flagicon|USA November 18, 2003
Recorded = December 2002 – October 2003
Genre = Pop, dance-pop, R&B, electropop, hip hop
Length = 49:51
Label = Jive
Producer = Britney Spears, R. Kelly, Roy "Royalty" Hamilton, Bloodshy & Avant, P. Diddy, Jimmy Harry, Brian Kierulf, Steve Lunt, Penelope Duhmkunt, Harry P. Ness, The Matrix, Moby, Josh Schwartz, Guy Sigsworth, Shepard Soloman, Mark Taylor, Tricky Stewart
Reviews = * Allmusic Rating|3|5 [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:hi63mp9k9f1o~T1 link]
*BBC Music [http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/release/6x8c/ link]
* E! Online (A-) [http://www.eonline.com/Reviews/Facts/Music/RevID/0,1107,3087,00.html link]
*"Entertainment Weekly" (B-) [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/review/music/0,6115,543124_4_0_,00.html link]
*"The Guardian" Rating|4|5 [http://www.guardian.co.uk/arts/reviews/story/0,11712,1084201,00.html link]
*"Rolling Stone" Rating|3|5 [http://www.rollingstone.com/reviews/album/_/id/301370 link]
Last album = "Britney"
(2001)
This album = "In the Zone"
(2003)
Next album = ""
(2004)
Misc = Singles
Name = In the Zone
Type = studio
single 1 = Me Against the Music
single 1 date = October 20, 2003
single 2 = Toxic
single 2 date = February 24, 2004
single 3 = Everytime
single 3 date = June 8, 2004
single 4 = Outrageous
single 4 date = October 2004

"In the Zone" is the fourth studio album by American singer Britney Spears, released in late 2003 (see 2003 in music). It debuted at number one in the United States and France, breaking Spears' own record of having her first three albums debut at number one. While album sales were fewer in comparison to her previous albums, it generated three worldwide number-one hits: "Me Against the Music", "Toxic" and "Everytime".cite web | title=Chart Data: Britney Spears | work=Mariah-Charts.com | url=http://www.mariah-charts.com/chartdata/PBritneySpears.htm | accessdate=2007-05-04]

Critical reception

Spears' most sexual offering to date, "In The Zone" was also Britney's most musically diverse album, featuring producers such as R.Kelly, Roy "Royalty" Hamilton, Bloodshy & Avant, and Moby and also, an increased artistic input by Spears herself compared to her other albums.

The album spawned the international number one and U.S. top ten hit single, "Toxic", which won Spears her first Grammy in the category of Best Dance Recording.cite web | author=Sony Music Blog Staff | title=Britney Spears Wins Her First Grammy Award... | publisher=blog.sonymusic.com | date=February 14, 2005 | url=http://blog.sonymusic.com/sonybmg/archives/007415.html | accessdate=2007-02-19]

After the release of the album the critics ignored songs such as "Toxic" and focused their attention on "Breathe on Me" and "Touch of My Hand", both with a very sexual lyrical content.

The album had a mixed critical reception, although the positive notices were stronger on this outing.
*Stylus Magazine gave the album a D and even blamed her career choices saying, "Ultimately, "In the Zone" suffers greatly from Britney's uneasy transition from teen tart to sexually powerful woman. Had Britney been in charge of her career direction instead of mercilessly prostituted by her management, she might have been able to produce something with some semblance of musical vision." [citeweb | author=Gavin Mueller | title=In The Zone Review | publisher="Stylus Magazine" | date=November 18, 2003 | url=http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/britney-spears/in-the-zone1.htm | accessdate=2007-03-16]
*"The Guardian" praised the albums melodies and her effort giving it 4 out of 5 stars and writing, "Unlike previous Britney albums, "In the Zone" has no filler and no shoddy cover versions, just 57 varieties of blue-chip hit-factory pop. There is southern hip-hop, deep house, Neptunes-style R&B, the ubiquitous Diwali beat and, most importantly, oodles of Madonna." The album currently has a 4/5 rating on iTunes based on over 55 reviews. [cite web | author=Dorian Lynskey | title=In The Zone Review | publisher="The Guardian" | date=November 14, 2003 | url=http://arts.guardian.co.uk/reviews/story/0,11712,1084201,00.html | accessdate=2007-03-16]

Promotion

To promote her new album, Spears went on the road with her "'Onyx Hotel Tour".

While Britney's last tour, Dream Within A Dream was Las Vegas-style theatrical, The Onyx Hotel Tour was more New York-style theatrical. This show was purposely less lavish than the previous tour and featured little pyrotechnics or other visual effects, as compared to Dream Within A Dream, apparently to make the show more intimate and focused more on the songs and dancing. However, Spears' production team spared no expense on the show's setup. They were reportedly inspired by the city of Tokyo, with its futuristic, postmodern architecture, and designed their stage based on it, with state-of-the-art video screens and set pieces. Most of the songs performed were from her then-current album, In the Zone, but a few of her earlier efforts did appear on the set list, in remixed form. Spears also played piano briefly during her fan-favorite ballad "Everytime".

Spears had eight costume changes throughout the show, with various outfits ranging from a black catsuit during the show's opener to a pair of bikini underwear. The clothes came courtesy of several designers such as Roberto Cavalli and Dsquared, who also designed costumes for Dream Within a Dream Tour.

The March 28 show in Miami was filmed for a special that aired on Showtime and attracted huge ratings. The show was rerun several times that year and still drew significantly large numbers. Unlike Spears' previous televised concerts, this show has not been released to DVD.

During the show in Moline, Illinois, Spears suffered a fall during "(I Got That) Boom Boom" and injured her knee, which caused the show to come to a halt without an encore. Spears went on stage and told the audience "I hurt my leg really bad, sorry I cannot finish the show. But thank you, Moline". Shows in Chicago and Detroit were postponed to the end of the first leg of the tour. The show in Cleveland was postponed to the summer leg because of illness, and canceled altogether when the summer shows were scrapped.

The third leg of the tour, which would have been a second North American trek, as well as Asia and Australia, was canceled because of the injury resulting from a fall on the set of Britney's video shoot for "Outrageous" in Queens, NY. She underwent arthroscopic knee surgery at a New York hospital to remove floating cartilage. Spears would not perform onstage again until The M+Ms Tour in 2007.

The June 5th show in Lisbon was part of the Rock in Rio Festival (which Spears had performed at in 2001 in Rio de Janeiro). Since the show was nestled between already scheduled dates in Dublin, Ireland, the full set was not built. Screens were mounted on the main stage and staircases were assmbled resembling the original stage set up. Props such as "the bus" were used. "Oops!...I Did It Again" and "Touch of My Hand" were not performed.

Opening acts were Skye Sweetnam in the US and Europe, Kelis in the US and the final show in Dublin, JC Chasez in Europe, and Wicked Wisdom in Europe, and Toronto based rock/reggae band Dodger filling in for five dates that Kelis canceled due to illness.

Chart performance

"In the Zone" debuted at number-one in the United States selling over 609,000 copies in its first week- while impressive, it fell short of the 746,000 copies sold by her previous release "Britney." [cite web | title=Britney In Her 'Zone' Atop Billboard 200 | work=Billboard magazine | url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2041063 | accessdate=2007-05-04] "In the Zone" fell 1-3, its second week sales dipped 59% to 251,000 copies, giving the album a total of 860,000. [cite web | title=Jay-Z Back Atop The Billboard 200 | work=Billboard magazine | url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2044031 | accessdate=2007-05-04] In its third week on the tally it fell 3-7 . Although sales were down 40% to 150,000 copies, it was enough to bring Spears' total to just above the 1 million mark. [cite web | title=Keys Unlocks Second No. 1 Debut | work=Billboard magazine | url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=2048574 | accessdate=2007-05-04] After the release of "Toxic" the album sales increased once again. The album has sold 3 million copies in the US according to Nielsen SoundScancite web | title=Britney Coming Back 'Bigger And Better' In 2007 | work=Billboard magazine | url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/search/google/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003528425 | accessdate=2007-05-04] but it is listed at 2× Platinum according to the RIAA. [http://www.riaa.com/gp/database/default.asp Recording Industry Association of America] "Recording Industry Association of America".] When it debuted at number-one, Spears broke her own record again by becoming the first female artist in SoundScan history to have her first four studio albums debut at number-one.(She previously set the record for her 2001 number-one album "Britney"). It has since gone on to sell nearly 9 million units worldwide. Despite the fact it was less successful than her previous album , "In the Zone" had more success with singles than its predecessor; "Toxic", "Everytime", and "Me Against the Music" all reached #1 worldwide, and top 40 in the US. [cite web | title=Britney Spears: Artist Chart History | work=Billboard magazine | url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.vnuArtistId=290150&model.vnuAlbumId=607582 | accessdate=2007-05-04] It stayed on chart for 37 weeks.In Australia, the album has been accredited Platinum with sales in excess of 70,000.

In Canada it debuted at number twocite web | title=Britney Spears: Charts & Awards | work=Billboard magazine | url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&searchlink=BRINEY|SPEARS&sql=11:kpfuxq9jldte~T5 | accessdate=2007-05-04] and it is 3× Platinum in that country.cite web | title=Canadian Certification (CRIA) | work=Canadian Recording Industry Association | url=http://www.cria.ca/gold/0504_g.php | accessdate=2007-05-04] In Japan "In the Zone" debuted at number three selling 59,128 copies, [ [http://jbbs.livedoor.jp/bbs/read.cgi/music/3914/1044805378/1-100 Japanese Sales] "Oricon".] earning Platinum certification it has sold 406,716 to date.cite web | title=Oricon Main Albums Chart | work=Oricon | url=http://www.oricon.co.jp/ | accessdate=2007-05-04]

In April 2004, "In the Zone" was certified Platinum by the IFPIcite web | title=European Certification (IFPI) | work=International Federation of the Phonographic Industry | url=http://www.ifpi.org/content/section_news/plat2004.html | accessdate=2007-05-04] for shipments of one million copies inside Europe. The album debuted at number fourteen in the United Kingdom, but later re-entered the top 15 and peaked at number thirteen.cite web | title=UK Albums Chart (Search) | work=Everyhit.com | url=http://www.everyhit.com/ | accessdate=2007-05-04] And it has sold over 492,000 copies in the UK earning Platinum certification.cite web | title=UK Certification (BPI) | work=British Phonographic Industry | url=http://www.bpi.co.uk/index.asp?Page=stats/content_file_118.shtml | accessdate=2007-05-04] Also, It debuted at number-one in France and after spending sixty weeks inside the Top 200 the album was certified Platinum selling nearly 300,000 copies.cite web | title=French Chart, Sales & Certification | work=FanOfMusic.Free.fr | url=http://fanofmusic.free.fr/ParcoursAlbum-B.php | accessdate=2007-05-04]

In Latin America, Spears proved to be successful with "In the Zone", reaching number-one in Mexico and Argentina. It was certified platinum in both countries. While in Brazil earned a gold certification.

In New Zealand, "In the Zone" was a moderate success debuting and number twenty eight in December 2003. It was the eight highest entry out of thirteen that week. The next week it fell out of the chart and re-entered five weeks later at number forty seven. In its fifth week in the chart "In The Zone" was certified with a Gold certification by RIANZ selling in the excess of 7,500 albums. Three weeks later it fell off one again only to re-enter at number forty four in March 2004. The album spent a total of thirteen weeks on the chart and peaked at number twenty five in April 2004. "In The Zone" is Spears' only album in New Zealand not to enter the top twenty.

Original Singles Release

After the first singles of "In The Zone" were released, Jive Records were intending to release at least 6 singles off the album. Label reps have made statements that 'I Got That (Boom Boom)' and 'Breathe On Me' were at one point set for marketing release. In the middle of making the music video for the fourth single "Outrageous", Britney injured her knee, and was unable to shoot the rest of the video, only a clip of the video was released on "" DVD.

Track listing

ingles

"Me Against the Music" became the first single from "In the Zone," when Britney appeared with Madonna at the MTV VMAs and asked her to appear on the track. Co-written by Britney with production team, RedZone, "Me Against the Music" reached #1 in Australia and became Britney's biggest hit since "I'm a Slave 4 U" in the U.S., reaching No. 35 in the "Billboard" Hot 100, hit No. 2 in the UK Singles Charts, and went straight into the top 5 in many European countries.

"Toxic" was produced by Swedish duo, Bloodshy & Avant, British songwriter, Cathy Dennis, co-wrote the infectious electropop-influenced second single. The track, complete with a fitting futuristic video, directed by Joseph Kahn, sold over 105,000 copies in the UK in its first week alone, as well as being huge in Europe. "Toxic" became Britney's biggest hit worldwide since "Oops!... I Did It Again," worldwide, hitting #1 yet again in Australia and going to No. 9 on the U.S. "Billboard" Hot 100, and giving Britney her fourth U.K. No. 1 single.

"Everytime," the third single from "In the Zone," showcased Britney at her most mature; a haunting piano-led ballad, with introspective, personal lyrics, written by Britney & produced by Guy Sigsworth, one half of Frou Frou. The song gave Britney her fifth No. 1 in Australia and the UK, released shortly after her sold-out The Onyx Hotel Tour, which hit Europe in May, and reached No. 15 on the U.S. "Billboard" Hot 100 (it reached No. 7 on the U.S. download chart), selling steadily and propelling sales of "In the Zone" worldwide.

"Outrageous" — written and produced by R. Kelly — it was contracted to be a single, so, Britney, having won the battles for the first and second singles, agreed that it would be the fourth single. Unfortunately, whilst shooting the video, she injured her knee on set, leaving the video incomplete. The track was still released in certain territories - it was a radio-only single in Australia, the U.S. and parts of Europe, charting at #79 in the U.S., and was also released in Japan, with a commercial single, backed with remixes from the likes of Junkie XL (famous for remixing an Elvis track and scoring a U.K. No. 1), Josh Harris and R. Kelly himself.

Awards

Personnel

*Vocals: Britney Spears
*Orchestra: Algozee, Tumbi
*Keyboards: Steve Anderson, DaCorna Boyz, Kendall D. Nesbitt
*Multi-instruments: Avant Arranger, Bloodshy, Moby
*Background vocals: B.U.D., Blackcell, Courtney Copeland, Kara Dioguardi, Roxanne Estrada, Emma Holmgren, Jennifer Karr, R. Kelly, Kyron Leslie, Penelope Magnet, Matrix, Emma Roads, Chyna Royal, Wizardz of Oz, Ying Yang Twins
*Banjo, Guitar: Roy Gartrell
*Background vocals, Multi-instruments: Roy "Royalty" Hamilton, Chris "Tricky" Stewart
*Guitar, Keyboards: Jimmy Harry, Brian Kierulf
*Guitar: Henrik Jonback, Donnie Lyle, Josh Schwartz
*Bass: Thomas Lindberg

Production

*Producers: Britney Spears, Avant, Bloodshy, Jimmy Harry, R. Kelly, Brian Kierulf, Steve Lunt, Penelope Magnet, Matrix, Moby, Josh Schwartz, Guy Sigsworth, Shepard Soloman, Mark Taylor, Trixster, Diddy
*Production Coordination: Vanessa Letocq
*Engineers: Avant, Bloodshy, Chris Fudurich, Andy Gallas, Abel Garibaldi, Brad Gilderman, Brian Kierulf, Sean Magee, Matrix, Sean McGhee, Ian Mereness, Moby, Pablo Munguia, Josh Schwartz, Mark "Spike" Stent, Rich Tapper, Mark Taylor, Brian "B Luv" Thomas
*Assistant Engineers: J.D. Andrew, Steve Bearsley, Tom Bender, Blackcell, Josh Copp, Cathy Dennis, Matt Furnidge, Rob Haggert, Vance Hornbuckle, Charles McCrorey, Jason Mlodzinski, Andrew Nast, Jonas Ostman, Jason Rankins, Tim Roberts, Rich Tapper, David Treahearn, Seth Waldmann, Nathan Wheeler, Jong Uk Yoon, Antony Zeller
*Digital Editing: Avant, Bloodshy, John Hanes, Brian "B Luv" Thomas, Paul PDub Walton, Dan Yashiz
*Mixdown Producer: Serban Ghenea
*Mixing: Niklas Flyckt, Mick Guzauski, R. Kelly, Matrix, Sean McGhee, Mark "Spike" Stent, Mark Taylor
*Remixing: Rishi Rich
*Editing: Sean McGhee
*Programming: Steve Anderson, Avant, Bloodshy, Abel Garibaldi, Jimmy Harry, Brian Kierulf, Ian Mereness, Moby, Chris "Tricky" Stewart
*Mastering: Tom Coyne
*Arrangers: Avant, Bloodshy, Roy "Royalty" Hamilton, Jimmy Harry, Steve Lunt, Penelope Magnet, Chris "Tricky" Stewart
*String Arrangements: Ed Alton, Janson & Janson
*Instrumentation: Guy Sigsworth
*Conductor: Janson & Janson
*Pro-Tools: Dug Hanes, John Hanes
*Vocal Producers: Penelope Magnet, Trixster
*Vocal Engineers: Brian Kierulf, Mark "Spike" Stent, Brian "B Luv" Thomas, Mike Tucker
*Vocal Editing: Brian Kierulf, Mike Tucker
*Vocal Arrangement: Penelope Magnet, Trixster
*Design: Jackie Murphy
*Photography: Patrick Demarchelier, Ranjit
*Stylists: Ray Brown, Lori Goldstein, Mary Alice Stephenson
*Hair Stylists: Laurentius, Stephanie Louise, Oribe
*Make-Up: Fran Cooper, Isabel, Armannii, Stephanie Louise

References

External links

* [http://www.britneyspears.com/ Britney Spears — Official Web Site]