'TSC' Review

The following italicized article is from www.allmusic.com:

Like 2004's Greatest Hits: My Prerogative, 2009's The Singles runs 17 tracks but the selected songs result in a very different listening experience. To begin with, the five years separating the two compilations were tumultuous ones for Britney Spears, but they resulted in a clutch of hits that kept her on the charts despite all the drama, hits that firmly entrenched Britney as a dance club diva. This stretch of six singles — "Gimme More," "Piece of Me," "Womanizer," "Circus," "If You Seek Amy," "Radar" — along with the excellent new Max Martin-written and produced single "3" (much better than any of the three new cuts on My Prerogative), help push The Singles away from teen pop and toward pure dance-pop bliss, a shift in tone underscored by the virtual absence of ballads (the only one included is "Everytime," which in this context plays a bit as a chill-out number). In some regards, giving her early sticky bubblegum and fluffy ballads a bit of a short shrift does downplay Britney's era of dominance, but it does result in a stronger overall listen, since there are no slow patches here, just a parade of relentless hooks and rhythms that wound up defining the sound of a decade.

Source: All Music

Britney Spears' The Singles Collection Hits Stores Today

The following italicized article is from www.mtv.com:

From the tender age of 16, Britney Spears has been one of the biggest pop stars of her generation. She's proven that even when she's down, she can still make a comeback. On the greatest-hits compilation The Singles Collection — out Tuesday (November 9), but a deluxe version will drop November 23 — fans can revisit their favorite hits in Spears' catalog.

The album includes " ... Baby One More Time," "(You Drive Me) Crazy (The Stop Remix!)," "I'm a Slave 4 U," Toxic" and "Oops! ... I Did It Again" to name a few. The album also features her latest single, "3," the video for which premiered on her site last week.

"When I see her on set, she's extremely professional, and it's a job," video director and frequent collaborator Joseph Kahn told MTV News about working with the pop star over the years. "There's really literally no messing around. Whatever accolades she gets, she deserves."

As for her place among some of the greatest pop artists of all time, Dave Meyers, who directed Spears in videos for "Boys," Lucky" and, most recently, "Radar," shared that she's definitely vying for the Queen of Pop title with Madonna. "She kind of filled [Madonna's] shoes," Meyers said. "[But] everything is done in a Britney way. She's not Madonna, and Madonna is not Britney. It seems like Madonna made the same choices that were right for her at the time, to class her up when she had just done a sexpot video. She was riding that image train too. She was leading that image train, and I think that Britney has done that as well."

Source: MTV

The Singles Collection Physical and Digital Copies Now Available

Five versions of Britney Spears' The Singles Collection are now available!

1.) The Singles Collection: Digital Deluxe Version

This edition includes all 58 songs from the Ultimate Fan Box Set, and is now available on iTunes.

2.) The Singles Collection: Standard Version CD

This edition includes 17 of Britney's greatest hits, including her new #1 single, '3', and is available in stores as well as online.

Buy it at:

BarnesAndNoble.com
Target.com
BestBuy.com
Walmart.com
A store near you!

3.) The Singles Collection: Digital Standard Version

The same 17 tracks as the physical CD, but with "I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman." Buy it on iTunes now.

4.) International Only CD+DVD

18 of Britney's greatest hits and a DVD of Britney's iconic music videos. This version is not available in the US.

5.) Digital 45s

These two-song combos are available on iTunes, in the same paired groupings as those on the 58-song tracklist. All 29 different 45s are available on Britney's iTunes page.

And in just 2 weeks on November 24th, the Ultimate Fan Box Set and DVD will be released!

Source: BritneySpears.com

Britney Spears Breaks Silence

The following italicized article is from www.news.com.au:

BRITNEY Spears has hit back at critical media reports of her Circus tour, saying she came to Australia for her fans.

The pop star arrived in the country last week amid controversy over her lip-synching stage performance, and soon faced reports that disappointed fans walked out of her opening show in Perth.

Spears has been keeping a low profile since arriving in Melbourne earlier this week, but she responded to the criticism.

"I hear there is a lot of controversy in the media about my show," Spears said in a statement.

"Some reporters have said they love it and some don't. I came to Australia for my fans!"

Spears is due to play the first of three sold-out shows in Melbourne on Wednesday night, and has been indulging in some retail therapy.

"Went shopping on Collins Street yesterday and got a lot of my Christmas presents. Melbourne is beautiful. Can't wait to see more. -Britney," she wrote on Twitter.

Aussie DJ Havana Brown, who is touring with Spears, said she is surprised by the savaging the pop princess has received here.

Brown said there was no negative reaction from fans and the media about lip-synching and lacklustre performances in Europe, where they toured before Australia.

"I think it's quite well known that she has lip-synched in the past. I don't think it's any surprise to anybody," Brown said.

"There was nothing like that in Europe. I think everyone knew what they were in for, and I think everyone should know here as well.

"I'm not quite sure what the fuss is about."

Brown was personally chosen by Spears' father and manager to open the Circus tour in Europe and Australia.

The Melbourne native gets the crowds warmed up for Spears each night and then sits back to enjoy the spectacle.

She said there was an "incredible response" at the first two shows in Perth, and she hoped Aussie fans would make up their own minds about the concert.

"It's sad. I want people to be positive about her - she's doing so well, and she's looking so good, and the show is amazing," she said.

"I want everyone to make their own opinion, rather than be persuaded by what's been in the media."

Source: News.au

Britney Spears: Bikini Babe Down Under

The following italicized article is from www.celebrity-gossip.net:

Taking a break from her hectic tour schedule, Britney Spears was spotted cooling off with a trip to her luxury hotel’s swimming pool earlier today (November 10) in Melbourne, Australia.

Joined by her sons Sean Preston and Jayden James as well as her boyfriend Jason Trawick, the “Gimme More” mommy looked to be having a marvelous time as she played in the water while sporting a flirty orange bikini.

It certainly looked like everyone was thoroughly enjoying the rare moment of quality time, especially considering the negativity Brit Brit has been experiencing in the Australian press regarding her lip syncing.

After an hour or so, Miss Spears and Mr. Trawick dried off the youngsters, wrapped them in towels, and carried them back to their room.

See more pics here!

Source: Celebrity Gossip

Britney Spears' Boys Arrive in Australia

The following italicized article is from www.heraldsun.com.au:

BRITNEY Spears has told the world of her Christmas shopping trip down Collins St as her son and boyfriend land in Melbourne surrounded by media fit for pop royalty.

Spears went on Twitter today, heaping praise on Melbourne.

"Went shopping on Collins Street yesterday and got a lot of my Christmas presents," Spears posted.

"Melbourne is beautiful. Can't wait to see more."

Sean Preston, 4, and Jayden James, 3, arrived at Melbourne Airport with Jason Trawick, her manager and boyfriend, about 9.45am this morning.

It is believed they were aboard a commercial Qantas flight direct from Los Angeles.

The youngsters were surrounded by an entourage of security personnel who worked furiously to shield their faces from a heavy media contingent as they moved through the airport.

Trawick refused to answer any questions put to him by the Herald Sun.

Security protecting Trawick, who was carrying one of his sons, became aggressive with reporters, yelling at them to "back off".

The group was escorted through a secret exit out of the airport by airport staff.

They left in a chauffeured vehicle and are believed to be en route to join their mum at her plush Park Hyatt hotel suite in the city.

Spears, whose first Melbourne show will take place at Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday, is expected to take every opportunity to get out and enjoy the city with her sons.

Spears spent Monday holed up at her luxury inner city hotel. Fans and media waiting for a glimpse of the star were disappointed.

Spears stayed indoors and only once popped an arm out of a window to give fans a brief wave.

She was photographed smoking on her Park Hyatt hotel balcony.
Source: Herald Sun