CD/Music Review: Anastacia: Evolution

 

Evolution, released in 2017, is Anastacia's seventh studio album. Like most of her prior albums, this one blends elements of pop, dance, rock, R&B, and soul, mixing slower ballads with faster, more upbeat tracks. There are 13 tracks in all. The only single released for the album was "Caught in the Middle". The album charted modestly overseas in Europe, but did not really get much traction in the US. If you want the physical CD, you will likely have to pay for an import, but it is available digitally. The CD liner contains the lyrics for each track, production notes, a handful of pictures of Anastacia, and a couple of pages of thank-you notes. 

Those who have followed her career know it has been interesting. Although Anastacia hit the music scene around the time people like Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera were dominating the US Top 40, she never achieved the same level of popularity in the States as they did. I think her sound was similar enough to younger pop stars that people who had outgrown pop were probably not interested in it, but different enough that the teenagers and college kids who were listening to pop at the time never got behind her. Even though she is much more popular in Europe, she does have a solid fanbase in the US. Even though the album was not a massive hit, it is still good and absolutely worth listening to. Ultimately, if you liked her prior albums, you will probably enjoy this one. 

CD/Music Review: Anastacia: Resurrection

 

Resurrection is the 2014 studio album by Anastacia. It was her sixth studio album, and, when it was released, her first album with original material in over five years. Like most of her albums, this one did not gain much traction in the US but was a hit in several European countries. Also, like her prior albums, the songs are a mix of pop, rock, soul, and R&B. It contains more slow, ballad-like tracks than the upbeat dance tracks featured on her earlier albums. Although there are a couple that fall in the latter category.

It contains 10 tracks in all, some of which were written and recorded during her second cancer diagnosis, so some of them are absolutely inspired by her personal experiences. The CD liner includes lyrics and production notes for each track, a few pictures of Anastacia, and the usual thank-you notes on the final page. Overall, the album is very similar in style and tone to her prior albums. I would not say that there is one or two standout tracks on the album, but there are no bad songs. Ultimately, if you have liked or loved her previous albums, you will likely enjoy this one. 

CD/Music Review: Anastacia: Heavy Rotation

 

Heavy Rotation is the fourth studio album by Anastacia. It was released in 2008, and, depending on which version you have, contains 11 or 12 tracks. The UK and Australian editions contain a bonus track titled "Beautiful Messed Up World." This album has more slow ballads and ballad-like tracks than her previous albums, which primarily featured up-tempo dance tracks. This one does have some up-tempo tracks as well, but overall, the album showcases more of her vocal ability and range.  Like her prior albums, this one blends genres like rock, R&B, funk, soul, and pop. The CD liner contains the lyrics and production notes for all the songs, several pictures of Anastacia, and thank yous on the final page. 

While the album was not a huge hit here in the US, it contains many good tracks that are worthy of inclusion on a playlist, such as All Fall Down, Never Love Again, and You'll Be Fine. Ultimately, it is probably her best overall album (at the time of its release) and is definitely worth listening to. 

CD/Music Review: Anastacia: Pieces of A Dream

 

Pieces of a Dream, released in 2005, is partly a greatest-hits compilation album by Anastacia and partly a new release (at the time). It has 17 tracks in total and includes singles from her first three studio albums, four new songs recorded for this album, and a megamix of her biggest hits up to that point. The CD liner includes lyrics and production notes, as well as one picture of Anastacia. Like her other albums up to this point, this blends different genres, including soul, pop, and R&B, mixing slower ballads with upbeat dance tracks. Even though she hit the scene in the early 2000s, Anastacia was older than many of the female pop stars of the time, and only achieved modest popularity in the US. She was always more popular overseas than in the US, and this album was no exception. Ultimately, if you liked her first few albums, you will probably enjoy this one. 

CD/Music Review: Anastacia (self-titled)

 

This is the 2004 self-titled album by Anastacia. It is her third studio album and mixes elements of pop, soul, rock, and R&B. It was not released on physical media in the US  but is available on CD as an import. The album did very well overseas, topping the charts in Germany and the UK. The album has 12 tracks in all. Most of them fall into more of a power-rock category. There are not many ballads or slower songs. The standout tracks, in my opinion, are Left Alone Outside and Sick and Tired. The CD liner includes track listings with lyrics and liner notes, several pictures of Anastacia, and a thank-you note on the final page. The album is good. It has many good tracks, but it definitely has some weaker tracks mixed in. Ultimately, if you liked or loved her first two albums, you will probably like this one as well.