Top 10 Best Anastacia Albums

With her third album, it became absolutely clear that Anastacia was not just another pop star, but a gifted artist whose music would stand the test of time. She would one day be mentioned in the same breath as great stars of the '80s, when pop actually reached its creative peak.

The album not only contains her two masterpieces, "Left Outside Alone" and "Sick and Tired," two of the most melodious, melancholic, and soulful jams of the 2000s, it is outstanding in its entirety. Often, Anastacia throws her pop appeal out the window and heads straight for rock with tracks like "Seasons Change." Then she delivers the most honestly bitter ballads like "Heavy On My Heart." It works perfectly as a whole, thanks to great songwriting craft and one of the most distinctive voices of all time.

5 out of 5 stars, one of my personal favorite albums.

2014's "Resurrection" doesn't have this title without reason. Most obviously, it was her first studio album with original material since 2008 (2012's "It's a Man's World" was a cover album, though widely released). It was also crafted during her second battle with breast cancer, making it her personal resurrection. It's a resurrection in another way as well: it's almost as hard-hitting and powerfully rockish as "Anastacia," released ten years earlier. This side of melodious, emotive rock suits her best. With a voice this strong and characteristic, she delivers it grippingly and has the poetry to back it up. It is her least poppy album and by far her heaviest, emotionally.

Thankfully, it was also a resurrection in yet another way: it was a big hit in Germany again, peaking at number 5, while her two previously released studio albums didn't enter the top ten.

4.5 out of 5.

P.S.: The 4 bonus tracks of the deluxe edition are worth it.

Anastacia obviously soon realized that she has a typically black voice - not being racist. She was initially known as "the white lady with the black voice" over here when she first got big. That's probably why she chose such a funky sound for her debut album, featuring wah-wah guitars and a disco-ish vibe. It is one of her poppiest albums, but that doesn't mean it is in any way one of her weakest. It was already filled with personality and had enough immediately recognizable melodies, outstanding production, and lyrics that echoed '70s soul more than 2000s pop. "I'm Outta Love" remains one of her signature songs.

4 out of 5.

On her sophomore record "Freak of Nature," Anastacia expands on the funky music of her debut album and managed to create a CD where all the songs could be potential hits. Again, the music recalls that '70s groove, whether the sassy uptempo numbers or her cinematic ballads. Even though it had already hinted at a tad bit of rock influence, nothing could prepare the world for the heavy outfit she would later adopt. With this, she strengthened her image as a modern soul-pop singer.

4 out of 5.

This is Anastacia's most polarizing album, and also her only one that was almost completely unnoticed by mainstream audiences. Even her fans don't know what to make of it, and I can see why: it's a cover album. Contrary to what one might expect from a singer known for her soulful voice, she doesn't stick to the soul, jazz, and blues songbook (like Sarah Connor successfully did on "Soulicious"). In fact, she covers U2's "One" and Guns N' Roses' "Sweet Child o' Mine."

I think ultimately this is up to your personal preference: whether she succeeded in covering those revered classics that no one is allowed to touch, or whether she butchered them. I liked the outcome.

3.5 out of 5.

Okay, I still need to give her newest album a few more listens to form a final opinion on it, but what I can say is that it's a very fine album, and Anastacia stayed true to herself. What I also can say is that it's not one of her best works, as it lacks the impact she previously delivered. I think this is because she went back to her initial groovy music and abandoned the musical and lyrical heaviness of "Resurrection" in favor of a more soulful sound. "Stamina" is one outstanding ballad and one of the best songs of 2017, and "Boomerang" has that old-school flavor to it. While it may not be the most outstanding record of her career, it's one of the most outstanding records of the year - because she is still doing her thing.

3.5 out of 5.

This is probably her only album I don't like. I get that after the heavy rock of "Anastacia," she wanted to continue her initial style, but it was executed horribly. This was not necessarily because of her, but because of the production. All too often, it starts adding cheap-sounding drum kits or cyberish beeps and swooshes. The songs are clearly meant to be danced to. It sounds too modern for her type of music. The melodies try hard to be catchy, but that's not what makes Anastacia exciting, and it also doesn't really work because only "I Can Feel You" sticks in your head. The other songs are forgettable. Her voice, lyrics, and attitude don't at all fit with the beats that seem more suited for the newest Britney Spears album, for whom this would have been a good album. I solely blame the producers for the lack of quality on this record.

2 out of 5.