Britney Spears - The Singles Collection

Britney's The Singles Collection arrived in stores and on-line today in the US. I knew the physical release was a 17-track set spanning her entire career, but I didn't realize that the digital version would be so different--it's a 58-track comprehensive set that includes all 29 of Britney's singles with a remix or B-side for each one. Each of these two-track singles is also available separately on iTunes, and in 2 weeks, the set will be released as a box set with individual packaging for each single. Here's what that looks like:

Listening to her 29 singles in chronological order brings to sharp focus the rollercoaster of a career she's had. I see 5 distinct periods here:

1. The Early Swedish Pop Years (1999-2001)

Like her Jive label mates Backstreet Boys and 'NSync, Britney's early work was the result of collaboration with Swedish pop music producers, namely Max Martin, who wrote and co-produced her iconic first single, "...Baby One More Time." Britney won over the world with her kittenish growl and bad schoolgirl video. "Oops...I Did It Again" basically repeated the same trick, while "(You Drive Me) Crazy" and "Stronger" upped the tempo. "From the Bottom of My Broken Heart" wasn't the biggest hit for her, but it's nice to have the single version, which is slightly different and shorter than the original album one. There's also the single edit of "Born to Make You Happy," the superior track that was the fourth single in Europe instead of "...Broken Heart." The only single from this period I don't care for is the Mutt Lange-produced "Don't Let Me Be the Last to Know." Best: ...Baby One More Time, (You Drive Me) Crazy, Born to Make You Happy, Oops...I Did It Again. Worst: Don't Let Me Be the Last to Know

2. Awkward Transition (2001-2003)

For her third album, Britney, Britney went for a more grown-up sound, ditching the Swedish dance pop for a more American pop/R&B sound. Enter superproducers The Neptunes, who helmed the album's first single, "I'm a Slave 4U," most famous for its snake-around-her-neck MTV Music Video Awards performance. Interestingly, my favorite song from this period is a ballad, the Max Martin-produced and Dido co-written track "I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman." It's title alone easily summarizes this period of Brit's career, but beyond that, it's also a lovely pop ballad. So much better than the regrettable remake of "I Love Rock 'n' Roll." Best: I'm Not a Girl Not Yet a Woman, Boys (Co-Ed Remix). Worst: I Love Rock 'n' Roll

3. Electro-Pop Success (2003-2004)

While Britney was a bit awkward, In The Zone was a confident success, giving Britney the major hit her previous album lacked in "Toxic," the refreshing, sexy hit produced by Bloodshy and Avant (with a cool flight attendant video too). If that wasn't enough, she also put out her fun collaboration with Madonna, "Me Against the Music," and the emotional ballad "Everytime." Looking bad, everything looked so right before it went so wrong. Best: Toxic, Me Against the Music. Worst: ?

4. Tabloid Fodder (2005-2007)

Then came the downward spiral. Following In the Zone, Britney made a series of public missteps that turned her into the decade's trashy tabloid queen. Her two-day Vegas marriage, barefoot convenience store trips, paparazzi fights, troubled marriage to Kevin Federline (and the related reality show) and shaved head overshadowed her music, which really wasn't that regrettable, since the music suffered too. First their was the greatest hits collection, with tepid new singles "Do Something" and remake of "My Prerogative" (further proving that Britney should stay away from remakes). Then came Blackout, which was supposed to be a big comeback, but didn't quite do the trick, as Britney was still quite troubled (remember that embarassing MTV performance of "Gimme More?). Best: Break the Ice. Worst: My Prerogative, Do Something

5. Return to the Top (2008-2009)

Then, miraculously, Britney really did pull it together with Circus, which gave Britney her first US #1 hit in nearly 10 years with "Womanizer," plus two other winning hits in "Circus" and "If U Seek Amy." It was a remarkable turnaround after all her troubles and established a winning streak that continues with this hits collection's single, "3," which recently gave Britney another #1 hit. Best: Womanizer, Circus, If U Seek Amy. Worst: Radar