Album Review: Anastacia – Resurrection
3 min read
It’s been an eventful few years for renowned singer/songwriter Anastacia; her divorce, the release of an album consisting of covers of songs released by males of rock (It’s A Man’s World), and a second battle with breast cancer tried to stop the singer in her tracks, forcing her to cancel the remainder of her 2013 tour. And now, cancer free and and as headstrong as ever, Anastacia is back with her first original studio album in over five years; Resurrection. This is the 45 year old songstress’s chance to show the world that her career is far from over.
Resurrection opens with power ballad Staring At The Sun, a strong opening number for what could be one of the most anticipated comebacks of the year, you can hear and relate to the pain Anastacia clearly expresses with that voice of hers. Lifeline describes a similar pain for hope, it is an equally intense journey into the personal woes suffered by the singer in recent years. Leading single Stupid Little Things turns things up a notch, the song is more upbeat and Anastacia reminds us that she has a brilliant set of pipes; we experience that immense vocal range we know and praise her for. Heartbreaking ballad I Don’t Wanna Be The One has us feeling sorry for the singer once again, whereas Evolution is an upbeat pop track where she takes the opportunity to lay down her flaws and explain that her evolution process is yet to happen.
There was an element of gospel to begin with in Pendulum, but it soon evolved into a more upbeat pop track about how her love with a former partner was not meant to last; it may not have been as memorable as its predecessors, but is still a relevant track for the album. Stay is yet another ballad that pulls at the heartstrings, it could easily be related to the singer’s recent bout of cancer; “I’m not ready to go just yet/So I’m gonna stay” she exclaims in a chorus full of life. There is something complex and beautiful at the way in which Dark White Girl was written; the verses are dark, whereas the choruses see the light in that darkness and the bridge combines both concepts. We are serenaded with ballad Apology, and the album closes with Broken Wings which empowers the singer to keep going no matter what the circumstance.
The journey Anastacia has been through is prevalent in Resurrection. The title is so appropriate, she has been held back from what she loves most in the world from circumstances she couldn’t foresee; she still has the scars of what she’s gone through, but she’s holding her head up high and taking on the world again. Perhaps there were one too many ballads on the album, and perhaps an extra song or two could have been included, but when an album has a true concept the songs are written and completed the way they present themselves; Resurrection stayed true to itself and to Anastacia’s vision, it couldn’t be more of a suitable comeback album for somebody so loved by many.
