In The Zone
by Britney Spears
  • Record Label: Jive
  • Release Date: Nov 18, 2003
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. E! Online
    83
    She finally delivers an album that's more fun than filler.
  2. 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.
  3. Vibe
    70
    A supremely confident dance record that also illustrates Spears's development as a songwriter. [Jan 2004, p.126]
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  5. Q Magazine
    70
    A sprightly collection of provocative pop. [Jan 2004, p.122]
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  6. The A.V. Club
    70
    Especially without the aid of visuals, Spears remains a chilly nonentity who gets upstaged by her surroundings, but there are worse things for her to be than window dressing for some of the most state-of-the-art beats money can buy.
  7. Blender
    70
    This I'm-coming-out record is an unhesitant move from songs of the heart to songs of the groin. [Dec 2003, p.130]
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  8. Spin
    67
    A hectic sonic pileup. [Dec 2003, p.130]
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  9. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    Despite inventive touches like zigzagging strings and humping-android hooks, too many tracks... are little more than wobbly, rhythm-based contraptions intended to advance Spears' sex-princess-on-the-loose image.
  10. Rolling Stone
    60
    The harder Spears tries to be Madonna or Janet Jackson, the less convincing she is.
  11. AllMusic
    60
    She may be older now, but she still sounds like a little girl, which undercuts both the glistening, sensual midtempo grooves that dominate the album and the big, booming uptempo cuts that offer a change of pace.
  12. Launch.com
    60
    While the kiddie trance and dirrty hip-hop are as blatant a bid for credibility as young Brit's moans upon discovering the joys of all-night raving and her own hand, the pop princess of old keeps peeking through the steamed-up windows, and ultimately saves the disc from disaster.
  13. Stylus Magazine
    57
    Review 1: It's as lost and macilent and alluring and eager to please and disturbingly empty-eyed as she is. [Score=67] Review 2: Ultimately, In the Zone suffers greatly from Britney's uneasy transition from teen tart to sexually powerful woman. [Score=47]
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  14. Dot Music
    20
    Quite the most lifeless and unloved record to be released by an artist of Spears' global stature.

Awards & Rankings

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

User Reviews

All reviews »
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
  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 - 8Sexy, 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.… Full Review »
  2. 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 theIt'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.… Full Review »
  3. yeahrtyeahrt
    Feb 16, 2020
    9
    i got the urge to revisit this album and its **** incredible. idk how this hasnt become a cult classic
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