Customer Reviews

Not That Kind

5 star:		(40)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I originally caught Anastacia on MTV's 'The Cut.' Her voice blew me away with the range and soul her voice delivers. I was in Europe recently and heard her on MTV. I was able to pick up the new US released album early and it delivers the goods. The song 'I'm outta love' has already hit it big internationally-- great dance song which I'm sure will be in the clubs (and on the radio) soon. What I liked about the album though is the diversity in the style of songs on this album. There is a country-infused track (Cowboys & Kisses), a love song whichs sound as if Taylor Dayne sang it (I ask of you), to songs with a heavy R&B flavor (Yo Trippin,Made for Lovin You, and Don'tcha Wanna). Personal favorites are 'Late Last Night' and 'Who's Going to Stop the Rain'. It's refreshing to hear an artist with a distinctive and powerful voice that's not right out of highschool singing adolescent pop. It's 13 tracks are enjoyable to listen to from start to finish. One of the best albums I have heard in a long time!

For years I've been waiting for a US singer like Anastacia! Forget Mariah and Whitney, Britney and Christina, and all the other little pop femmes that somehow seem tragic on today's music scene. What is there that sets her apart? Take one listen to that voice...and you're sunk. Call it what you will, but Anastacia has the voice, experience, smoothness and brassy edge of a true woman, not the little gimmicky whiner brats that seem to dominate popular music these days due to clever, but all too annoying, packaging and marketing.

So what if her influence by singers like Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin are "too obvious"? Please. At least it demonstrates that she has some class to start with. And say what you will about it, but if Elton John sees enough talent in you for him to ask you to perform with him, then it's for real. "Not That Kind" has its departures from these artists as well. Quit comparing and start contrasting, for crying out loud!

I've listened to this album countless times and can't wait to buy her second album when it's released in the US. Ditto for the "I'm Outta Love" CD single. Flat out, Anastacia has a voice to rave about, the attitude that dance and pop music *truly* thrives on, and real feeling behind it all.

I have heard "I'm outta love" several times and couldn't find out who the artist was. P-H-E-N-O-M-I-N-A-L voice!!! Finally, after digging and digging and digging I found out that Anastacia was the singer. I've seen her on tv before but never heard her voice. How in the heck this tiny, beautiful white girl has such a powerful, soulful voice beats the heck out of me. The voice doesn't match her looks but obviously she's got the best of everything going for her. BUY this CD! WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To begin with, Amazon.com (annoyingly) doesn't have the UK edition of this album in stock at all, so I am writing this review in song order as it is on the UK edition. When I first saw the video to Anastacia's debut single I'm Outta Love in September 2000, I instantly began looking for flaws. I didn't like her voice, the way she dressed and that darn song...yet it was kinda catchy, wasn't it?! Over time she grew on me and it was with the single Not That Kind that made me buy this album. Well I have to say that this is one of the most mature, catchy and accomplished debut albums I have ever heard. The album went on to sell inexcess of 6 million copies worldwide and contains 4 massive worldwide hits...

Not That Kind begins with the album's title track, Not That Kind (10/10). This song has an amazing bassline with some brilliant girl-power lyrics and catchy, melodic beats. Anastacia's voice is so powerful, even in the verses where the song is a lot more low-lying than at the choruses. This song was the second single to be taken from Not That Kind in February 2001, where it peaked at No.11 in the UK. Track 2 is I'm Outta Love (10/10). This is without a doubt Anastacia's most famous song to date. Her debut single, it peaked at No.6 in the UK in September 2000, stayed in the Top 10 for months and was No.1 all over Europe. The bassline is incredibly catchy and the lyrics are more of the same with Not That Kind; girl-power to the max! Track 3 is Cowboys & Kisses (9/10). This was the third single to be taken from Not That Kind in May 2001 and peaked at a lowly No.29 in the UK. The video is not very memorable - I don't even think I can remember what happens in it! The song however is a more indie-rock song with superb guitars and various instruments. Track 4 is Who's Gonna Stop The Rain (9/10). Like I mentioned on my review of Freak Of Nature (Anastacia's second album), every Anastacia album has the power ballad - for Not That Kind, it's Who's Gonna Stop The Rain. The beats along with the lyrics are incredibly powerful, while Anastacia's voice is on top-form again. Track 5 is Love Is Alive (10/10). This is definitely the best song on the album...well, for me anyway. This is just such a catchy song with a superb bassline and electrifying vocals from the girl with the big voice. I just love the verses and the bridges - top class song from Anastacia!

Track 6 is I Ask Of You (9/10). This is another excellent ballad from Anastacia - one of the best on the album. That's about it! Track 7 is Wishing Well (10/10). A lot of people think this song is rubbish, but I love it. The song is very simple lyrics wise - they're easy to learn because they're quick and fast. Not That Kind continues with the superb Made For Lovin' You (10/10). The fourth and final single to be taken from Not That Kind, this song only just peaked inside the Top 30 in the UK, which is a shame because it really is a superb pop song. The lyrics are a bit simple, yet the trademark funky bassline and Anastacia's gravely vocals make up for it. Track 9 is Black Roses (10/10). This is another brilliant ballad from Anastacia who sounds a lot like Tina Turner on this song. Track 10 is Yo Trippin' (10/10). This song has a superb blend of R'n'B and more importantly, soul! It comes as a great welcome considering most of the album is full of ballads. Track 11 is One More Chance (8/10). This is yet another (zzzzzzz...) slow smoochy ballad from Anastacia. This is basically a repeat of every other single ballad on Not That Kind. Track 12 is Same Old Story (9/10). This is a great song to close this amazing album - it's different to every other song on the album. The lyrics are catchy and follow a certain pattern while, as the song ends, a gospel choir enters and warble away to their heart's content. Not the best song on the album, but a superb one to close it!

OVERALL GRADE: 9/10

From other customer's reviews of Not That Kind, I think I can safely say without any hesitation that this album is excellent - and that Anastacia is even more brilliant! If you've heard all the singles taken from Not That Kind (how could you not?!), then I strongly suggest to you buy it now from Amazon!

Anastacia is a woman with an incredible voice, she's a mix between Tina Turner and Taylor Dayne, but she has her own style.
"Not that kind" it's her first album which was released in 2000.
This album wasn't promoted in the US, only the cut "I'm otta love" was able to chart on Billboard's Dance Club House (I don't remember the peek but was high). The song used to be played on pubs and some station but Sony decided just to promote her in Europe.
In Europe Anastacia is considerate one of the most important singers, selling millions of copies (this album sold 5 million throughout Europe)her singles top the charts and her concerts are crowded.
Anastacia's songs are great, her love songs have great lyrics and her feeling is deep. When she rocks, she rocks an example of some great dance songs are: "I'm otta love", "Not that kind", "You're tripping", "I was made for loving you". Some of her love songs on this album are: "Black roses", "One more change" and "Cawboys and kisses".
Anastacia seems to have it all, support from big stars such as: Michael Jackson, Destiny's child, Madonna between others, a great voice, the looks and a unique talent.
I'm sure that if you buy this album, you're gonna buy also her second and latest, "Freak of nature" which has the 2002 smashing international hit "One day in your life" and a duet with Faith Evans.
2002 was a very good year for her, "Freak of nature" sold also 5 million in europe and its total selling amount it's around the 7 million, she happened to be the singer of the 2002 official song of the Fifa football world competition.
But 2003 started not so good because Anastacia discovered that she had breast cancer, but thanks God her doctors detected this on time and now she's recovering to bring us her third album.

Anastacia is one of a now-rare breed of singers -- one with talent and skill, a mature outlook and toe-tapping music. Rather than a teenybopper clone, she's a fully adult woman with nuances of genuine feeling in her very catchy songs. "Not That Kind" is not quite as even as her second album, "Freak of Nature," but it's solid and thoroughly enjoyable.

The title track is a bit repetitive but overall sung and performed well. "I'm Outta Love" outperforms "Not That Kind," catchy and featuring Anastacia's throaty voice as the centerpiece, alternating between a high tempo and a softer background percussion. "Cowboys and Kisses" was one of the few songs that grated on me, as it wasn't up to the rest of the album musically, with a too-present guitar and a talky set of lyrics. "Why'd You Lie To Me" is outstanding, using the guitar as it should be used, and Anastacia manages to give the song genuine feeling about "you've been creeping/creeping, sleeping with another!" "Who's Gonna Stop the Rain" is outstandingly poignant in its lyrics, soft in its cooing music, and Anastacia's voice rises and falls beautifully. Ballad "I Ask Of You" is somewhat typical in its lyrics, but is beautifully performed. "Doncha Wanna" is initially a strong song, but it also gets a bit repetitive, and Anastacia's voice is drowned out by the synthesized music.

"Late Last Night" is a bit of a mix of "I Ask of You" and "Why'd You Lie to Me," a resigned song about a woman witnessing her husband's infidelity and telling him to get lost. "Made For Lovin' You" is also a slightly cliched song, but Anastacia pulls it off despite the synthesized music drowning her a little. "Black Roses" is another ballad, an unusual one with beautiful vocals, lyrics and music. "Yo Trippin'" is a bouncy, funky pop song where she whispers the words "yo trippin'" during the chorus. "One More Chance" gives Anastacia's voice a chance to soar against the backdrop of low-key ballad music. The album rounds off with "Same Old Story," a toe-tapping song that is somewhere between pop and ballad, not exceptional in any way but definitely worth listening to.

Anastacia's voice is the centerpiece of this album; unlike many of her fellow singers, she is best when her voice is heard clearly, rather than focusing on the music that so often covers it. It's throaty, husky, has an amazing range and can tackle ballads and pop with equal skill. Her voice only seems to falter when the music becomes too overwhelming. The songs are also refreshingly independent: rather than moping about cheating boyfriends/spouses, the attitude is kick-the-lying-scum-out while regretting the losses and betrayal.

Those considering buying this album should note that two of the tracks on this are also on "Freak of Nature." But for a great album from a deservedly rising star, "Not That Kind" will definitely satisfy.

It is reassuring to note that even in these days of mass-produced, repetitive, simplistic pop tunes that are projected to the top of the charts by clever marketing rather than musical worth, a small number of musicians continue to roll out great songs.

Anastacia, with her immediately distinctive vocal style and fantastic range comes straight out of the mould of the great soul singers of the 60s and 70s from which she clearly gets a great deal of inspiration.

Her singing is real seat-of-your-pants stuff - with a cutting edge not dissimilar to the great Aretha Franklin. Indeed, if there can be one criticism of this excellent debut album, it would be that at times, the influence of artists such as Aretha and Stevie Wonder is perhaps a little transparent. That aside, if a pop artist is going to emulate anyone, these two role-models can't be a bad place to start.

From the grooving, soulful 'Not That Kind', she goes straight into her other big hit single 'I'm Outta Love', both of which showcase her distinctive tone brilliantly. It's not all funky toe-tapping stuff, though - 'Cowboys and Kisses' is a lyrical ballad also worth hearing, and the single 'Made for Loving You' which features on a UK Honda advert is a terrific track.

There are few albums these days that can be listened to again and again, every time hearing something new to appreciate and admire. This is a real feel-good album, it's great just to have on as background music, it's great to work out to, it's great to have on in the car. It's great, full stop.

I have waited a few months for this CD! I bought her first two singles. They are NOT THAT KIND and I'M OUTTA LOVE and loved them!! I knew if the rest of her debut was as great, I would be in music heaven! Today, the cd was finally released.... I just finished listening to it and I must say I am so happy!!! Every track is absolutely amazing! She can be fiesty and full of grit and spunk on one track and the next be emotional and sing a great ballad! She is truly amazing! Her voice is a very husky raspy sort of sound and I love it!! Anyone who wants to hear a great new artist, go pick this album up! You will be glad you did! GO ANASTACIA!!! I also saw her on Elton John's special and was amazed at her stage presence!

Anastacia is one of the most promising stars in years, simply due to her red blooded, strong and grittily soulful voice that is unique in itself. She effortlessly glides through these tracks with ease.

The title track, Not That Kind, is something of a pop masterpiece whilst the funky and upbeat, I'm Outta love, displays her unique verstality as it comes complete with an energetic performance. However certain ballards fall on the slushy side and are surprisingly just routine productions. Tracks like Who's Gonna Stop The Rain, I Ask Of You and Wishing Well sound far too predictable but I have to say i do love Cowboys and kisses. What showcases her strong vocal approach is the more up beat numbers like the infectious and fabulously funky, Made For Lovin You, Love Is Alive and Yo Trippin in which she puts in power packed performances.

For a debut album this is very remarkable from an equally remarkable talent. She will undoubtedly follow in the footsteps of the great singers like Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Diana Ross and Whitney Houston. A phenomenal talent that hopefully will continue for many years. Highly Recommended!

If you haven't had the pleasure of hearing the music of hot new artist, Anastacia-run, don't walk, to your nearest music store and buy her CD Not That Kind. Then get ready for sensory overload of the pleasurable kind. ...Anastacia is blazing a path that's entirely her own.

The Chicago-born, New York City-raised Anastacia is known for her sass, style, and unique vocal styling. She has often been compared to a young Taylor Dayne with her soaring vocals and scorching ballads. Anastacia's music are equal parts dance, R&B, rock and powerful ballads. This chick's definitely got lungs!

I discovered the singer quite by accident while browsing the Web and am now a loyal and avid Anastacia fan. So much so that I paid import price for Freak of Nature, her latest European CD release! Her music is simply infectious, the videos sizzling, and her talent unsurpassed. This is one singer who is going to be huge!

Most artists have the famous "sophomore slump" but not Anastacia. Freak of Nature is great, filled with a wide variety of cuts similar to her first album, but different enough to stand on its own. I have to admit Not that Kind is still my favorite, especially the infectious dance hit, "I'm Outta Love." One can't help but move to the beat after just a few bars of this song.

If you like music with a beat that stays in your head long after the song is over, then Anastacia is definitely the artist for you. Exciting, strong, and soulful, Anastacia is definitely my kind of singer.

-OutLook Press