Aussie edition of the 2001 followup to the dance-pop vocalist's hit-laden 2000 debut, 'Not That Kind'. No domestic release is currently scheduled. Including the single 'Paid My Dues'.
Aussie edition of the 2001 followup to the dance-pop vocalist's hit-laden 2000 debut, 'Not That Kind'. No domestic release is currently scheduled. Including the single 'Paid My Dues'.
Jason Roberts | Rochester, NY United States | 04/15/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"...Anastacia successfully combines Pop, Funk, Dance and R&B into one rather slim and drop dead gorgeous package. The opening title track acts as Anastacia's mantra "look at me and see a little girl inside my skin / It's supernatural / I'm a freak of Nature" and "just cause I like sipping on champagne / doesn't mean that I'm afraid of the rain." Anastacia stakes her claim as the one to resist the cookie cutter mold. Gotta love the 'tude. Stellar numbers with rather cliche titles shine. "OverDue Goodbye" and "How Come the World Won't Stop" capture the girl with the greek name's vulnerable side. The shining tune "Why'd You Lie to Me" treads Deborah and Whitney territory, but with a fresh slant. Anastacia's been there with a boy and is bitter,..
The single slated for U.S. release, "One Day in Your Life," picks up where "I'm Outta Love" left off... Destined for club success, this high energy R&B thumper is hot, but the real struggle is whether Anastacia's intense vocal prowess can translate to radio airplay.
In an environment dominated by Ja Rule collaborations and Timbaland remixes, can Anastacia find her niche in the pop market? She's got the look, she's got the chords and she's got the substance to shine... One minute hip hop, the next soul with a house flare, Ms. Blige can take on any number and thrill her fans. It's truly about talent in the end. Passion and dedication are undercurrents saavy listeners can easily pick up on. Perhaps the U.K. ladies and gents are a bit more forgiving of labels. If only we were as sophisticated.
"She who will rise again" - the Greek translation of Anastacia. So what if success isn't around the corner for this fiesty blonde? I'll be okay with that, at least she stuck to her guns and defied being attached to one genre. She tells us what it's like to be a girl with a little drama thrown in for fun. Being a fan, I'd feel obligated to purchase whatever she releases..."
Diva, Diva, Diva!
Kali | United Kingdom | 03/26/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a HOT album with a selection of great songs that can cater to a variety of musical tastes, of all ages I might add. I have to admit I got the album based on the song "One Day in Your Life," but I found that I LOVED the whole CD and am now playing it all the time, much to the annoyance of my upstairs neighbour! Anastacia ROCKS is all I can say. She sure knows how to belt out a song and she does it with such passion and gusto you find yourself shouting out the song with her...very embarrasing when you're on the bus heading home from work I can tell you!
A nice CD with great tracks such as "Secrets" and "How Come the World Won't Stop." As a pointer try and get a glimspe of the music video that goes with the song "One Day in Your Life", it is wonderfully funny, and sexy and you will love the tatoos that are on display on a variety of people, including a mother, a handsome young man who's pumping iron and Anastacia herself. The song stands on its own but the video is worth a peek."
Anastacia's back, and she's stronger than before!
Martin Edwards | Manchester, England | 03/01/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Given the standard of her last album,' Not That Kind', you could be forgiven for thinking that Anastacia had reached her peak vocally. However, when you listen to this new album you'll soon realise Anastacia has reached an entirely new level. 'Freak of Nature' is best described as a roller coaster of an album, ranging from soulful ballads right through to funk influenced numbers. This album improves on the last, as there are fewer of the weaker ballads present on the last album, and with the exception of the slightly boring 'I dreamed you' the album is a modern classic.Track 1) Freak of Nature: A very funky number with an infectious chorus. 4.5/5
Track 2) Paid My Dues: Soulful power - ballad with vocals that soar into the stratosphere. The reason I bought this album 5/5
Track 3) Overdue Goodbye: A slick, accomplished song with influences ranging from mild folk to mild country. 4/5
Track 4) You'll Never Be Alone: A deceptive one, beginning slowly, but it builds up to be a powerful and touching song.4.5/5
Track 5) One Day in Your Life: A fabulous up tempo, disco influenced number that is reminiscent of I'm Outta Love. The best song on the album. 5/5
Track 6) How Come The World Won't Stop: A neat song with the odd flourish, but isn't going to set the world alight. 3/5
Track 7) Why'd You Lie To Me: An inspired amalgamation of Latino/funk sounds that really comes into its own towards the end.5/5
Track 8) Don't Cha Wanna: A fabulous song with top notch vocals that just seem to ooze attitude. Superlative. 5/5
Track 9) Secrets: A heartfelt, emotional number, that never quite reaches the same level as some of the other tracks, but still an enjoyable song. 3/5
Track 10) Don't Stop (Doin' It)A funky disco number that is reminiscent of 'Made For Lovin' You'. Another excellent track.5/5
Track 11) I Dreamed You: Whilst this is not a bad song, it isn't a good one either, and Anastacia doesn't have an opportunity to use the fantastic range of her voice, and it is a bit similar to something 'Ally Mc Beal's' Vonda Shepherd might sing. A track to skip past if ever there was one. Mediocre. 2/5
Track 12) Overdue Goodbye (Reprise): This is just a reprise of Overdue Goodbye, consisting of the end part of the song, but it serves as a great way to end the album.4/5
An excellent album overall, and well worth importing! I only hope this album does get a US release!"
Anastacia Gets Freaky
Chris S. | atlanta, ga United States | 12/14/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Though her debut album got little to no notice here in the states upon its' release earlier this year, Anastacia is actually quite popular in Europe, where this sophomore effort sees its' initial release. Working with the same clutch of producers that fueled her debut, her second set is essentially an extension of the first, at least musically, with the primary difference being that the majority of the songs found here are stronger than alot of the material on her debut. Upbeat tracks remain her strong suit, with notables here being the title track(very similar in vein to the first set's title track), the more rock-edged 'Paid My Dues' and the dance-funk anthem 'One Day In Your Life'(which is basically 'I'm Outta Love' set to different lyrics). While her high-octane vocals didn't serve her well on the first sets' slower songs, the more acoustic-based slow jams of this outing manage to frame her voice beautifully, showing far more vocal nuance and restraint than the first go-round. Overall, a solid step up from her promising debut."
A superb follow-up to "Not That Kind"
Erica Anderson | Minneapolis, MN | 12/08/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Anastacia is a grossly underrated singer that can outperform most female vocalists nowadays. "Not That Kind" wasn't originally intended to be released here in the US but when the album started taking off overseas, her record label got a clue and exposed the US to this talented singer. "Not That Kind" is a classic in its own right but "Freak of Nature" takes Anastacia to that next level. The material is even better than her debut album, if that's possible. On "Freak of Nature", Anastacia starts to move slowly away from dance/pop she made a name herself with and begins exploring her rock 'n roll roots on songs like the first single "Paid My Dues". The entire album is rawer than "Not That Kind" and a lot less polished. The title track kicks off the album with Anastacia's powerful vocals. "One Day In Your Life" is this album's "I'm Outta Love" in the sense of its catchiness. It is my very favorite track on the cd. I always find myself humming the catchy melodies that have been ingrained in my head. "Don't Stop (Doin' It)" is another groovy little dance tune that just has Anastacia wailing her incredible voice with such intensity that I rarely hear in the young vocalists that are making a name for themselves today. "Freak of Nature" truly showcases Anastacia's talent as a singer. I see nothing but a bright future for her."