OK, here we go, I've loved Anastacia from the getgo, when I heard "I'm Outta Love" back in 2000, and I've been blown away by THAT VOICE!! When she first started out, people were saying she was like a weaker Taylor Dayne, but I've always disagreed, saying she is edgier and more unique, and I've stuck by that view. I like the way Anastacia is evolving, from an R+B/dance/pop diva...through to a Europop/soul singer/songwriter with a bit of rock...NOW emphasizing the ROCK, while retaining her soulful vocal approach and strong songwriting, dropping the commercial dance/R+B trappings...PLUS, Anastacia is brave, bare, and daring in her lyrics here, digging deep and exposing her struggles with having breast cancer...transforming what would normally be an edgy rock/pop set into pure art. Lyrically, she has more in common with Annie Lennox and Alanis Morissette than your typical R+B divas. Anastacia exudes pure strength here, and for that, she gets full respect from me.
Now, musically, on this self-titled set, Ms Newkirk has REALLY found her own sound and true calling...she calls it "sprock", an amalgam of soul, pop and rock, and I agree. I would call it that, sort of, because it emphasized the ROCK portion, and yeppers, she DOES rock, in a HEAVY way, with noisy, jagged riffs and ballsy performances, but she doesn't sacrifice pop hooks or excellent songwriting chops...she actually IMPROVES on her way with hooks here!! As a matter of fact, my first reaction on set opener "Seasons Change"?? LISA DALBELLO!!! "Anastacia" is like a better, more tuneful version of Lisa Dalbello's last album, 1996's "Whore", from the arrangements, vocal approach, strength, and lyrical touches here and there, like on "Pretty Little Dum Dum", the opening resembling "Deep Dark Hole" and lyrical reference to the number 11, where Lisa has a song on "Whore" called "Eleven". Strange, interesting and coincidental, and I LOVE it!!
Since this album totally ROCKS, and it has killer collaborations with Dave Stewart (Eurythmics), Glen Ballard, John Shanks, Sonny from POD, Dallas Austin, and her usual posse of Ric Wake and Richie Jones (no sign of Sam Watters + Louis Biancanello ANYWHERE on this album, good or bad depending on your taste), I am DYING to see Anastacia TOUR behind this album, I NEED to see her live, now that she emphasizes her "inner rock chick"!!!
Oh, on the "Left Outside Alone" single (AWESOME song, one of the best singles of the year, as is the album), the B-side "Get Ready" kicks [back]too, it's a killer funk rocker that is really raw and bluesy, incredible!! Another fave is "Welcome To My Truth"...amazing writing...as is all 12 songs, period...
Oh, and this limited edition has a nice slipcase, sexy poster (I emphasize the artiste Anstacia is, but really, she is also a beautiful woman, drop dead gorgeous!!), and a great DVD which enables you to get inside the album, the way it was recorded, her 2002 European tour, and inside Anastacia's head, to see what makes her tick as an artist, and it shows her battle with breast cancer which is both heartbreaking and inspiring.
Essential...period...the defense rests...nothing more I can say to emphasize how much you need to hear this disc and buy this limited package...
Remarkable Album amazing artist
Disappointing