As she succinctly states on the title track, she's "not that innocent" — at least not anymore. But woe betide the man who crosses the newly matured Spears; over thumping, hip-hop-flava-ed grooves, she warns listeners that "I'm stronger than yesterday/ Now it's nothing but my way" ("Stronger"), assures them that "I am better off without you," and reveals that "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" (in a synthetically phat version of the Rolling Stones' classic). Ooh … hit us, baby, one more time.

The little girl in Spears is still there, however; "Dear Diary," the lush album-closer she co-wrote, pines for an unrequited love in a manner that feels much more genuine than her take on heartstring pullers such as the Mutt Lange-Shania Twain composition "Don't Let Me Be the Last to Know" or the torchy "Where Are You Now." But those are the exceptions; the rule is that Oops! does succeed in making Spears sound sexier and meatier — and not that innocent — as its team of top-shelf producers (particularly Max Martin and Rodney Jerkins) supports her adenoidal vocals and breathy hiccups with bottom-heavy arrangements that provide a bit more thrust and pump to the proceedings. And if the title track sounds like too much of a recast of … Baby, One More Time's title track, then "Stronger," "Don't Go Knockin' on My Door," and "Can't Make You Love Me" move things forward a notch. But just a notch. Ultimately, Spears remains more act than artist, and Oops! makes no mistake in its direct aim to hit the Top 40 bull's-eye — one more time.