Today, 9 years ago, on November 6th, 2001, Britney Spears' third album, "Britney," was released. "Britney" saw Britney beginning to grow up musically, experimenting with new genres and producers, including The Neptunes and BT, who produced two of the international bonus tracks. For the first time, Britney took an active part in the making of the album, co-writing six songs on the album, mainly with new collaborators, Brian Kierulf & Josh Schwartz. The album also acted as a soundtrack for "Crossroads," her debut movie appearance, featuring songs such as "I'm Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman."
The album turned out to be another success, debuting at #1 worldwide, selling over 746,000 copies in it's first week in the US alone (having the second biggest debut of the year — behind 'NSYNC's Celebrity, which moved 1.88 million copies in its first week — Britney was, however, the year's most successful debut by a female or females, trumping Destiny's Child's 663,000 copies in its first week and Janet Jackson's 605,000 copies) and later going on to sell over 4,9 million copies there and over 11 million worldwide.
The album was nominated for two Grammy awards, Best Pop Vocal Album and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for "Overprotected" and received Mixed to generally favorable reviews:
All Music Guide4.5/5
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The title says it all -- that this third album is where it's all about Britney. All songs are pivotal moments on Britney Spears' third album, the record where she strives to deepen her persona, making it more adult while still recognizably Britney. Rhythmically and melodically, the whole album is sharper, tougher than what came before. What used to be unabashedly frothy has some disco grit, underpinned by Spears' spunky self-determination that helps sell hooks that are already catchier, by and large, than those that populated her previous two albums. She's co-written more songs than ever before, and these are strong selections, whether it's the hard-edged "Lonely," the sweet "That's Where You Take Me," or, especially, the neo-disco "Anticipating," one of the pure delights on this record. The most overt steps forward are the collaborations with the Neptunes on "Slave" and "Boys," which are the sexiest sounding cuts she ever did. This isn't a perfect record -- but it does sound like the work of a star who has now found and refined her voice, resulting in her best record yet (the best teen-pop record yet released). It's enough of a reinvention to suggest that Britney will know what to do when the teen-pop phenomenon passes for good.
Billboard4/5
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A nicely varied, wholly satisfying collection.
Entertainment Weekly3/5
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After Spears released two albums (''...Baby One More Time'' and ''Oops!...I Did It Again'') with brazen singles, it was time for her to shimmy up to the plate and make a quality disc worthy of her potential. ''Britney'' is that record. Its list of au courant contributors -- the Neptunes, Dido, Rodney Jerkins -- signals its seriousness of purpose. With all that talent behind her, ''Britney'' was a cogent pop-R&B album or, at the very least, a series of worthy adventures.
New Musical Express3.5/5
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Even after just one play it's clear 'Britney' is Spears' coming of age album. This is not an album exclusively for playground dance routines, this is an album of late nights and nightclubs, of self-discovery and self-doubt. 'Britney' pulls off the trick, both musically and lyrically.
Rolling Stone3/5
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Britney is by far her most personable album, the most consistently playful and the least wince-inducing.
THE "BRITNEY" ERA:
"I'm A Slave 4 U" set the tone for "Britney," with hip-hop duo, The Neptunes, producing a song consisting of grown-up, seductive, layered vocals against a sparse beat. Premiered with an iconic jungle performance at the MTV VMAs, where she danced with a live snake, the track was a success, followed by a steamy video, set in a hot warehouse and featuring a scene where a backing dancer licks Britney's cheek, being nominated for 3X MTV VMAs in 2002. The single was one of the most successful singles of the year and a worldwide top 5 hit spending 7 weeks at #5 on the worldwide top 40 chart and going gold and platinum in several countries.
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Following the reaction to "I'm A Slave 4 U," which risked alienating Britney's core fanbase, "Overprotected," was picked as the second single from "Britney" in the UK and Australia, written again by Max Martin & Rami. Featuring a video directed by Billy Woodruff, and featured in "Crossroads," the international single release used the album version of the track, whilst in the USA, the track was remixed by Rodney Jerkins (Darkchild) and released as the third single, reaching #87, despite a boycott from Clear Channel radio. The single was a worldwide top 10 hit, peaking at #6 on the worldwide top 40 chart and going gold and platinum in several countries.
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"I'm Not A Girl, Not Yet A Woman" was the second single from "Britney" in the USA and Europe, and the third single in the UK and Australia, staggered to fit the release dates for "Crossroads." Written by Max Martin, Rami and UK chanteuse, Dido, the ballad has become one of Britney's defining hits, hitting #2 in the UK, just missing the USA Hot 100 singles chart (Clear Channel radio stations boycotted Britney's singles throughout 2002, following the decision to use a separate tour company for her 2001-2002 tour). The single was a worldwide top 10 hit, peaking at #6 on the worldwide top 40 chart and going gold in several countries.
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A remixed version of "Boys" was picked as the fourth UK and USA hit from "Britney," featured on the soundtrack to the 3rd Austin Powers movie, "Goldmember," in which Britney makes a cameo appearance, playing a robot version of herself. The Neptunes provided the remix, including lyrics from Pharrell Williams, who co-wrote the song, performing alongside Britney. With a hilarious video which features Pharrell and including a cameo appearance from Mike Myers, "Boys" gave her another hit. The single was a worldlier top 20 hit, peaking at #18 on the worldwide top 40 chart and going gold in several countries.
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"I Love Rock 'N' Roll" was released exclusively in Australia and central Europe (excluding France, where "Anticipating" was released) in mid-2002, with the UK following in November, backed by the Darkchild remix of "Overprotected." Originally made famous by Joan Jett, the track was featured in an integral scene of "Crossroads," and was released to coincide with the theatrical release, and the DVD release in the UK. It was a worldwide top 40 hit peaking at #37 on the worldwide top 40 chart.
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"Britney: The Videos" accompanied the 2001 "Britney" album release, featuring performances, of hit singles such as "I'm A Slave 4 U" live from the MTV Video Music Awards, music videos, such as the Herb Ritts-directed "Don't Let Me Be The Last To Know," and, for the ultimate Britney collector, her much talked-about Pepsi commercial, the TV commercial for Britney's HBO special "Britney Spears: Live From Las Vegas," and a live performance and behind-the-scenes look at Britney's first movie, "Crossroads."
"Have you ever had a dream that felt so real, you couldn't tell the difference between the real world and the dream world?" That was the premise behind Britney's "Dream Within A Dream" tour, from which this live concert is taken, filmed live on 18th November 2001 at the legendary MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Filmed and broadcast originally live on HBO, Britney gives her all; from bungee jumping to playing a jewellery box ballerina, to running through a row of fire trees, "Live From Las Vegas" has it all.
"Crossroads" was Britney's first foray into feature films; an inspired, fun-filled adventure about taking risks, pursuing dreams and making friendships last. Lucy (Britney Spears), Kit (Zoe Saldana) and Mimi (Taryn Manning) are childhood friends who are reunited at their high school graduation prom, having grown apart. They decide to go in search of their destinies, setting off on a road trip with Mimi's handsome, mysterious friend Ben (Anson Mount), and rediscovering their friendship along the way.
As "Britney" featured Britney's tracks featured in "Crossroads," a full soundtrack was not released; however participating cinemas in the USA gave away these promotional 6-track CDs, featuring 4 songs featured in the film which were not performed by Britney, such as "Shake It Fast" by Mystikal and "Girlfriend" by Matthew Sweet, as well as two remixes of Britney tracks that were previously unreleased in the USA - the JS16 remix of "Overprotected" and the karaoke version of "I Love Rock 'N' Roll."
For their new range of Vios cars, Toyota asked Britney to appear in adverts promoting the range across the country. Two special adverts were produced, both showcasing the car, and featuring Britney, using the track "Anticipating" (taken from her third album, "Britney") as the theme. The adverts were only shown in Taiwan, and a special promotional CD-Rom/VCD featuring both adverts in full, photo gallery (featuring the full set of promotional photos from the adverts) and press release, was sent to the media there.
Like many world-famous musicians, Britney was approached by the Pepsi company to be the face of their cola, starting with a TV campaign to "The Joy Of Pepsi." The first international campaign wsa the "We'll Take You There" campaign, which was featured in the Australian media, to coincide with the release of "Britney." A special CD, featuring the full Miguel 'Migs' mix of "Stronger," a clip of "I'm A Slave 4 U," and a track called "That Girl," by Australian artist, Hayley Aitken, was available through special outlets.
Britney's first European Pepsi campaign was in Germany, featuring a special Christmas theme, in December 2001, shortly after the release of "Britney." Special promotional CDs were available from many Pepsi retail outlets and restaurants, featuring the Miguel 'Migs' mix of "Stronger," a clip of "Overprotected," and a special eJay remix station kit (alongside a screensaver, video interview and photo gallery), alongside promotional items, such as Britney and Pepsi covered toy cars.
"Right Now (Taste The Victory)" - an anthemic song, written and produced especially for the campaign by Brian Kierulf and Josh Schwartz, who collaborated with Britney for "Britney" - was the main theme tune to the 2002 "Ask For More" campaign, coinciding with the 2002 FIFA World Cup. A special promotional CD was made available in special outlets throughout Australia and Europe, where a special advertisement, featuring Britney in a Pepsi football strip, was running, featuring the full-length track and video exclusives.
"Britney's Dance Beat" was a fully interactive game, formatted for Playstation 2, Game Boy Advance & PC - "Britney is about to launch her next concert tour and needs backup dancers - Audition to Britney's most popular songs, such as "Oops!... I Did It Again" & "...Baby One More Time," and see if you can keep up with the other dancers. Only the best dancers will get to join Britney on stage, gaining exclusive access to Britney along the way, through exclusive never-before-seen video clips."
One of my TOP 5 fave/MUST own albums of ALL time! This is the best album of hers! OVERLOOKED MASTERPIECE: Cinderella ================= That song is EPIC! <3
Overprotected is one of my faves ever!!!! That era was amazing 
