In The Zone
by Britney Spears
  • Record Label: Jive
  • Release Date: Nov 18, 2003
User Score
8.1

Universal acclaim- based on 708 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 588 out of 708
  2. Mixed: 34 out of 708
  3. Negative: 86 out of 708

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  1. iamanicon
    May 24, 2011
    10
    Sexy, soothing and inspired. The first album Britney delivered that was a great pop album. It sounded current and modern.. It still does - 8 years later.
  2. foofurrbean
    Jan 6, 2004
    8
    Totally not a Britney fan but received CD as a pink elephant gift at a Christmas party. Listened to it and was suprised. While she is not endowed with the voice of some of her peers, she managed to put out an album that is fun and different. If someone else's name was on the album I probably would have bought it myself. True, it's not great art but who cares? If I wanted great Totally not a Britney fan but received CD as a pink elephant gift at a Christmas party. Listened to it and was suprised. While she is not endowed with the voice of some of her peers, she managed to put out an album that is fun and different. If someone else's name was on the album I probably would have bought it myself. True, it's not great art but who cares? If I wanted great art I'd listen to Beethoven but if I want to actually enjoy myself I may just listen to this CD,… Expand
  3. MikeH
    Jun 18, 2005
    7
    The last official track of this album, 'Everytime' with it's music box melody and Spears' whispy delivery has to be one of the most beautiful ballads ever composed, which was surprisingly mostly written by Britney herself. This is (at least to my knowledge) a big first step for Britney, as she's been mocked for being anything but an actual artist by other The last official track of this album, 'Everytime' with it's music box melody and Spears' whispy delivery has to be one of the most beautiful ballads ever composed, which was surprisingly mostly written by Britney herself. This is (at least to my knowledge) a big first step for Britney, as she's been mocked for being anything but an actual artist by other musicians in the industry. 'In the Zone' is a declaration; she completely sheds her bubblegum pop image and sings of random sexual encounters, late night clubbing, and masturbation. Standouts on this album are the sexy 'Breathe On Me', 'Toxic', and the Madonna duet 'Me Against the Music'. This coming from someone who thought they would never consider having a Britney Spears album in their collection, it says something about the disc. Half the addiction is the amazing production work. Without it, 'In the Zone' would probably fail to impress half as much, as the lyrics are not inventive or thought provoking enough to merit a seond look. But whatever it's flaws, 'In The Zone' is really very good, and though she's not even close to being Bjork or Garbage (Think 'beautifulgarbage' here), Britney's closer to being considered an actual artist.… Collapse
  4. anniee
    Nov 18, 2003
    9
    This is the album that 'Britney" should have been. This is a leap for Britney, and it's a leap in the right direction. It's hard to label this album as one particular type of music, but it's impulsiveness is sure to lease an enormaous fan base. Some of the more techno beats you've been hearing about belong to Breathe on Me and Touch of My hand. Showdown is by far This is the album that 'Britney" should have been. This is a leap for Britney, and it's a leap in the right direction. It's hard to label this album as one particular type of music, but it's impulsiveness is sure to lease an enormaous fan base. Some of the more techno beats you've been hearing about belong to Breathe on Me and Touch of My hand. Showdown is by far one of the best songs Britney could possibly have mastered, mixing her usual sulty-whispering voice, with an incredible hook and melody, not to mention the power in her vocals. Which leads me to mention the catchiest track, Toxic. For ONCE, Britney takes a powerful stance on er position as the force behind the album. I hear she won't release it as a single, which is the wrong choice. It's a powerful song. Te less intresting songs, I'm sorry to say, are the ballads, Everytime and Shadow. While Everytime is linked to that ex of hers, most of us would like to move past that, and the song isn't all that intresting, though a bit haunting, which is something new. Shadow has a certain Kelly Clarkson feel, which isn't usual Britney either. Brave New Girl is very New-Pop with a nice rythem. Two more let downs are Outrageous and The hook Up. They're just, well, boring.… Expand
  5. Jake
    Nov 23, 2003
    9
    With overtreated misogynistic pap by such overrated "bands" as Wilco, Flaming Lips, and Radiohead, it's nice to see a poweful, prominent woman figure put out wonderfully convoluted yet catchy tunes! Go Britney!
  6. angelrc
    Nov 19, 2003
    10
    wow amazing
  7. PFST
    Sep 2, 2012
    10
    I love this album and the fact that Britney actually put some effort into it. In the Zone is, in my opinion, her magnum opus, although most people prefer Blackout over it. My favourite tracks are Toxic and Touch of My Hand!
  8. dreammusic
    Dec 21, 2012
    10
    One of Britney's most amazing albums. the tracks are amazing with great vocals, beats, and lyrics. standouts include Me Against The Music, I Got That (Boom Boom), Breathe On Me, Toxic,and Outrageous. There could have been at least another ballad.... but hey? It's mostly dance so it's all good!
  9. LanaDelRey
    Mar 24, 2013
    10
    A Major Comeback From Britney! Another Amazing Album! Toxic, Shadow, And Everytime Are Timeless!
  10. BritneySpears
    Nov 4, 2013
    10
    Easily one of Britney Spears' best albums. (JK It is her best!) With the taste of your lips I'm on a ride, you're toxic I'm slippin' under...THE LEGENDARY MISS BRITNEY SPEARS
  11. viniciusmiguel
    Dec 10, 2013
    10
    her best album so far, this is an amazing pop album with elements of Hip Hop and R&B. toxic is definitely the song of the decade, 'me against the music' with MADONNA is such a great song and everytime is one of the most beautiful ballads i've ever heard. 'the hook up' makes u wanna dance like never before, it's magical!!!
  12. 14aarram
    Jul 27, 2014
    10
    Channeling Madonna's Erotica, In The Zone is sexy, sleek, and unapologetic. Its sound is a complete departure from 2001's Britney. Although to some it might come across as an overly sexualized attempt to shred her girl next door image, the album is actually her most personal to date, with almost every song being written or co-written by the pop princess herself. Its ground breakingChanneling Madonna's Erotica, In The Zone is sexy, sleek, and unapologetic. Its sound is a complete departure from 2001's Britney. Although to some it might come across as an overly sexualized attempt to shred her girl next door image, the album is actually her most personal to date, with almost every song being written or co-written by the pop princess herself. Its ground breaking production help differentiate it from that of other albums of the time. In conclusion In The Zone is the perfect pop album.… Expand
  13. PinkFriday
    Sep 6, 2014
    9
    In The Zone é o álbum mais ousado de Britney. Considerado o melhor álbum de Britney para muitos fãs, só perde para o Blackout. In The Zone é um álbum muito interessante, com muitos instrumentos que eram usados na Idade Média. As letras são muito ousadas e sexuais, menos nas faixas "Brave New Girl" a faixa mais dispensável do álbum, e "Everytime" uma balada muito bonita, mas que fogeIn The Zone é o álbum mais ousado de Britney. Considerado o melhor álbum de Britney para muitos fãs, só perde para o Blackout. In The Zone é um álbum muito interessante, com muitos instrumentos que eram usados na Idade Média. As letras são muito ousadas e sexuais, menos nas faixas "Brave New Girl" a faixa mais dispensável do álbum, e "Everytime" uma balada muito bonita, mas que foge totalmente do conceito do álbum. É um ótimo álbum, e nenhuma música é chata, todas tem seu brilho.… Expand
  14. vinzlima
    Nov 5, 2015
    8
    Different, clever and innovative. And not every day that a pop star releases an album with oriental influences , this album ... speechless. what makes an artist to release an album with that influences highlighted ? The OMG sound, the beats, production, voice! yes the voice !. The best of it and we can really listen to this album with production also of R Kelly , the city planning andDifferent, clever and innovative. And not every day that a pop star releases an album with oriental influences , this album ... speechless. what makes an artist to release an album with that influences highlighted ? The OMG sound, the beats, production, voice! yes the voice !. The best of it and we can really listen to this album with production also of R Kelly , the city planning and detail in this wonderful album . Apação and In The Zone are the best albums of Britney today.… Expand
  15. Lioen
    Jun 15, 2018
    10
    A masterpiece, I love all the songs. This album and Blackout are the best of Britney. My favorite songs are Toxic, Shadow, Oustrage, I Got That Boom Boom, Me Against The Music, Everytime. There is no bad song.
  16. yeahrtyeahrt
    Feb 16, 2020
    9
    i got the urge to revisit this album and its **** incredible. idk how this hasnt become a cult classic
  17. marial
    Jun 8, 2006
    10
    amazing album
  18. GuilhermeV
    Nov 21, 2011
    10
    Best album of the decade
  19. LipeFireworks
    Jan 28, 2017
    10
    Um dos melhores albuns de todos os tempos, meu segundo preferido da britney só perde pro circus, como nao amar um album que tem "Toxic" "Shodow" e a lindissima "Everytime"
  20. victorcarter
    Nov 21, 2016
    7
    Ok first off, let's get this one straight: This is NOT the pop bible. I'ts a fairly consistent and interesting record though. Toxic is excellent. Very good:Breathe on me, Touch of My Hand. Good: Showdown, Early Mornin', Outrageous.
  21. infsai
    Mar 27, 2020
    7
    It's an okay album. It has many nice songs (like its first three singles: "Me Again the Music", "Toxic", and "Everytime"). However besides the singles nothing is much memorable, and it's pretty old, and it got many nice drop-outs like "And Then We Kiss", which I'm in love with.
  22. lizb
    Jan 20, 2004
    2
    This cd falls flat in my opinion. There are some good beats, "breathe on me" and "toxic" but the vocals are incredibly weak and processed. The moaning and "sexy talking" is so overdone in this album its ridiculous. This is supposed to be a "grown up" album, but instead it sounds more like the work of a rebellious teen. "Hey look at me I wrote a song about masterbation" Is that supposed to This cd falls flat in my opinion. There are some good beats, "breathe on me" and "toxic" but the vocals are incredibly weak and processed. The moaning and "sexy talking" is so overdone in this album its ridiculous. This is supposed to be a "grown up" album, but instead it sounds more like the work of a rebellious teen. "Hey look at me I wrote a song about masterbation" Is that supposed to be cutting edge? There is no substance or heart to this album. Even the attempt at the ballad is weak. When will aritists understand that the sluttier they become, the less and less intriguing they are. Sex sells but in this case, its definately not selling her new album. … Expand
  23. paulgreen
    Feb 24, 2012
    4
    Her debute album was better.
  24. Zone111
    Mar 23, 2012
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is her best album, Breathe On Me is the best song in her career.… Expand
  25. ImAwesome
    Nov 27, 2013
    0
    Disgusting!! Crude awful and gross. Britney and One More, were flirty and fun, this is just dead and off-putting
    Not even any really nice melodies. Like some idiots playing with a computer program with a bunch cheap effects.
    The best song is hold it against me, were a fine chorus barely survives an onslaught of special effects.
    Dead, gross, dumb.
  26. annp
    Mar 3, 2004
    0
    It sucks just like the rest of her cds
  27. PaulaS
    Nov 20, 2003
    3
    Britney Spears is a Wanna-Be-Madonna-and we all know there is only one Madonna. She couldn't sell the album on her own-so that's why she had Madonna on it. She can't even explain her songs to the public-like on Diane Sawyer-touch of my hand-give me a break. She doesn't really have a good voice either.
  28. moejoe
    Jan 30, 2004
    3
    The ballads are horrible. Best song, by far, is Toxic--cool arangement, and her breathy singing actually complements the song. Otherwise, there are some weak attempts to snag some of Madonna's 'Erotica' and 'Ray of Light' mojo. She sounds unconvincing, through and through. But, you can dance to it....
  29. rosalieg
    Jan 8, 2004
    0
    how is that slut gonna say anything about christina when she's such a big fat slut that nobody likes .Christina is just being herself not some wanna be madona bitch crack whore
  30. Razzyou'llneverknow
    Jan 9, 2004
    0
    You suck britney!!!!! Arggghhh kill the bitch!
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Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Most Discussed Album of 2003
7
#7 Most Shared Album of 2003

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 13
  3. Negative: 1 out of 13
  1. Dot Music
    20
    Quite the most lifeless and unloved record to be released by an artist of Spears' global stature.
    Read full review
  2. Spin
    67
    A hectic sonic pileup. [Dec 2003, p.130]
  3. The Guardian
    80
    Unlike previous Britney albums, In the Zone has no filler and no shoddy cover versions, just 57 varieties of blue-chip hit-factory pop.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »