Not That Kind of Rate: Anastacia | Finished

[Sprockrooster]

We start the day by losing a main album track from Freak of Nature.

Leaderboard Trajectory: #94 - #96 - #91 - #99 - #102 - #100 - #97 - #97 - #96


Don'tcha Wanna
Average: 6,73
Highest: 9,0 @Maki
Lowest: 4,0 @DJHazey
Sprocky's score: 7,0​

This was deservedly added to the funk medley on the Encore tour. On the making of DVD for Live at Last there is amazing performance of this song here. I still handed out a 7 cause there is something about the production that puts me off. But damn when the vocals and strut open on this track she blows me away every time. This has great performance live written all over it and definitely to be more highlighted than it did. Perhaps having it heard live more could made me love this track a little bit more. @berserkboi calls it "vibey but partly unpleasant.." and @londonrain says "This isn't bad; it just sounds like a draft of a much better song." Highest scorer @Maki says "What an off-kilter banger. It's so weird and it works extremely well. The melody in general, especially at the final line of the choruses, is so odd, like it's broken, and it gives me life. That hypnotizing beat and the high + low harmonies, too. Definitely a sonic standout of the album. Contrary to the popular opinion, I've always considered this a (sole) highlight of the album tracks from "Freak of Nature" and a greatly underrated song."

​

 

[londonrain]

...what is this doing all the way down at #96 when it’s better than so many of the remaining tracks?

 

[Sprockrooster]

...what is this doing all the way down at #96 when it’s better than so many of the remaining tracks?

This being the first track out from the main album has me surprised too. It is a bop, but apparently that only took it this far. We also have a first main album track loss for Not That Kind next. Which one could that be?

 

[bonnieetclyde]

Surprised too. I think that song is pretty good.

 

[Maki]

What?! How the heck is "Don'tcha Wanna" the lowest ranked song of her first two albums (standard editions)?

 

[Laurence]

84 = Left Outside Alone, Part 2 - 6 oop overscored!
22 = Don’tcha Wanna - 7

 

[Sprockrooster]

Not That Kind loses it's first main album track after already lost all of their b-sides. It is the first song to has never been outside of the top 100 in the leaderboard trajectory!

Leaderboard Trajectory: #84 - #68 - #63 - #72 - #82 - #86 - #88 - #91 - #95


One More Chance
Average: 6,74
Highest: 10 @Robertoy / @Disco Tears
Lowest: 1,0 @Hurricane Drunk
Sprocky's score: 9,0​

Remember when she collaborated with David Morales for Forever Luv. Well before that happened in 1993 this track was already written. I have no receipts, but this makes it her first written song possibly. One More Chance served as the song that was send to record companies to sign her. It sadly never achieved that feat, but the song is nonetheless quite strong. It feels like a classic 90’s ballad with the strong adlibs and prominent background singers. It might by lyrically not the deepest track, but definitely more than a filler for this debut album. I am glad it didn’t became a b-side or even worse – a case like crushin’ where it would have been leaked at some time perhaps with no official release as happened with the demo in 2010. The demo showed the album track got a production upgrade and some different original lyrics in the middle-8. The piano feels weirdly prominent on the demo so I am glad they changed it up for the album version. @berserkboi keeps it simple "Pretty ballad, lovely ballad!" Can't tell @londonrain is shading miss Evans "I would probably like this more if Anastacia's career hadn't gone on to follow a much more interesting path. This screams "Faith Evans album track." @Maki is giving me an awesome genre "This is very 'singing show contestant' single in its 90's R&B ballad basicness. It has some very pretty vocals and nice string flourishes, but is quite boring and predictable. Madonna's "One More Chance" >>>" Well. No We stan Anastacia's version in this house.

​

 

[MilesAngel]

Left Outside Alone Part 2 - 6. Gave it a middling score for the song itself and because it's better then a lot of acoustic versions, but it's a bit pointless (like most acoustic versions).

Don'tcha Wanna - 6.6. This music genre isn't for me but the song isn't bad for its type. However there's not much Anastacia, and the backing vocals do most of the work. It's almost like a duet.

 

[Maki]

Also, I think I know which one of my 10's is going to leave first, but it's not going to be a loss for a certain reason. Glad it made the top 100, though.

Left Outside Alone, Pt 2
Average: 6,65
Highest: 10 @Sprockrooster / @Sprocky's Boy / @Maki
Lowest: 1,0 @Disco Tears
Sprocky's score: 10

Not surprised, but also a bit surprised. Did this really deserve to be the first cut from "Resurrection"? Anyways, it's obviously a divisive cover, but I really like it nonetheless. Not sure if the my high score reflects that, because then I should've given the original "Left Outside Alone" at least a 15. But still, me being biased towards it helped. Also, having seen only Sprocky and his boyfriend's scores (both 10's) before voting, I just followed suit. Funny how no one else gave it a 10.
Can't say I'm too bothered that it's out, since I think it technically doesn't even belong in this rate (the same case with "Club Megamix"), since it's just a different version of another song.
Honestly, if it wasn't an obligatory song, I wouldn't have rated it (which is, again, the same case as with "Club Megamix"). Should've given it a 9.75 just to escape from the highest scorers section, but oh well.


Don'tcha Wanna - 9
~ My first bigger loss. I'm very surprised and quite disappointed that this went out so early. There are heaps of weaker songs across all of he albums and it's such a pity that it remained underappreciated.
It's such an oddity and I love it. Her vocals and the warped/trippy melody just pull me in. To be completely honest, I bumped up its score a tiny bit (it was 8.75 because of the chorus gets a bit too repetitive), but it's still my favourite album track from "Freak of Nature". And, whew, she killed that live performance!
Unfortunately, there weren't enough high scores, which definitely didn't do it any justice. In fact, except from me, no one gave it a score higher than an 8, which means it was very consistently scored. Besides @DJHazey and me, looks like all of its scores are between 5 and 8, which is actually really impressive.
Still, I remain perplexed by how this song ended up so underrated.


One More Chance - 6,25
~ Yeah, this is what I thought would be the first loss from the debut album. Being such a conventionally 90's ballad, I didn't really expect it to have several fans.
Oh, and that's where the demo version comes from... I forgot that it was one of the first songs she wrote, so thanks for reminding me of that, @Sprockrooster. No wonder I think it sounds so dated for something released in 2000.
I actually thought this one would bow out before top 100, so it did well. I remain bitter that it outlasted "Don'tcha Wanna" by such a small score difference.

 

[Sprockrooster]

When I said we would lose three different era's I sort of lied as we will now lose a song that finds it's origin very close in time to our previous loss.

Leaderboard Trajectory: #104 - #105 - #95 - #90 - #87 - #91 - #89 - #95 - #94


David Morales & Anastacia - Forever Luv
Average: 6,76
Highest: 9,0 @Ana Raquel / @RUNAWAY
Lowest: 3,0 @Laurence
Sprocky's score: 8,0​

Before miss Morales garnered fame for remixing and producing tracks for artists like Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Whitney Houston, Pet Shop Boys and U2 he was part of the Bard Yard Club. A collective in which this earliest recording of a credited Anastacia appears. It was not a single, but it sounds radio friendly and is definitely something that I would still appreciate when being released in this day and age. Despite being released in 1993 I do not think I heard this before somewhere in the mid 00’s simply because I had no idea this existed. But a treasure find it was then and still is to this date. Like I mentioned before I actually was in contact with his agency to get this on spotify cause this banger deserved to kick off the playlist from this rate. Too bad it was on heavy licence issues and it is far from solved. Only positive commentary so that is a win for this track starting off with @livefrommelbs "This is such a fun little old-school bop! Me likey." Also @Maki is a fan: "Aw, baby Anastacia and she's got those same recognizable pipes. This is a great song. I love how her singing tone used to be softer, which is especially noticeable during the verses. Nothing too notable, though it remains catchy and delightful bop." @londonrain sees cross-over potential if she did not blew up as artist "This is cute. The kind of mild bop I'd vote for in PJ Retro." All our commenters calling it a bop. So issa bop.

​

Spoiler: Tomorrow

Before the cut-off of the top 90 we touch both Freak of Nature as Not That Kind. And another album faces a loss. No optionals for a change.

 

[Maki]

Forever Luv - 7,75
~ Aw, this one is very cute and could've stayed around a bit longer. I actually thought it wouldn't leave yet, but I guess its optional status didn't do it any justice. A very pleasant tune which doesn't sound much dated at all, even if it leans on a more basic side. I can see most of you warming up to it rather soon. And what a coincidence to both of her earliest songs leave one after another! Now that I mentioned that, it's great to see we chose "Forever Luv" over "One More Chance".
Also, yay at the commentary being perfectly aligned!

Speaking of Anastacia's first steps in the music career, as most of you know, she was a backing vocalist from late 80's to mid 90's, doing vocals for freestyle, funk and R&B artists. Her very first credited appearance is on a 1989 single from a singer Ann-Marie:

You can barely make out her voice, but the song is pretty good.

And also another backing vocals she did in 1989 was on Stacy Lattisaw's song "Dance for You":


Both of these totally sound like PJOPS/PJ Retro entries.

 

[Sprockrooster]

but I guess its optional status didn't do it any justice.

Not being on spotify also did not do it favours also. Imagine this starting the playlist! Especially with Mr. Vain closing. So full circle.

Speaking of Anastacia's first steps in the music career, as most of you know, she was a backing vocalist from late 80's to mid 90's, doing vocals for freestyle, funk and R&B artists. Her very first credited appearance is on a 1989 single from a singer Ann-Marie:

You can barely make out her voice, but the song is pretty good.

And also another backing vocals she did in 1989 was on Stacy Lattisaw's song "Dance for You":


Both of these totally sound like PJOPS/PJ Retro entries.

Guess we need a loose round there!!

 

[londonrain]

Guess we need a loose round there!!

I doubt Anastacia being on (very faint) backing vocals would disqualify those songs dddd.

 

[MilesAngel]

One More Chance - 6.2. I don't find this type of mid-tempo soul song very exciting and this just meanders on.

Forever Luv - 7. Pleasant tune but a generic house track.

 

[Maki]

Not being on spotify also did not do it favours also. Imagine this starting the playlist! Especially with Mr. Vain closing. So full circle.

Yeah, that's so cool! And Spotify doesn't affect my scoring at all, since I don't use it, haha.

I'd rather take a generic and good song like "Forever Luv" over some boring ballads, especially the ones on her first two albums. Hopefully some of the them leave tomorrow (ideally "Same Old Story" and "Secrets").

 

[Sprockrooster]

And we return to the Not That Kind album. And we are losing a bop!

Leaderboard Trajectory: #104 - #84 - #87 - #87 - #98 - #93 - #95 - #93 - #93


Yo Trippin'
Average: 6,77
Highest: 10 @Robertoy
Lowest: 4,25 @DJHazey
Sprocky's score: 8,0​

Not much can be said about this track. I can’t even find a live performance from it. There is however a small tidbit about this track. It served as background music on the making of the Live at Last DVD. In this section you see her travel to several places. Hanging out the tourist. And that is actually showcasing the strength of the track. It is perfect for background music. It doesn’t distract you to much, but you are slowly moving your hips and during your break from that work you find yourself humming to the song. It’s like the song exactly wants that feeling cause when I am listening focused to this you can hear people chat in the background at several moments in the track. Not entirely sure what @berserkboi is saying "I enjoy this more than the affectations would have me believe!" @Maki is lukewarm towards it "The verses are non-existent when it comes to melodic distinctiveness, but the chorus is quite good. Kinda groovy, a bit 90's, I like it. Oh, and the occasional chatting and backing vocals popping in and out are a very good inclusion." @londonrain makes a valid point "This feels like something I might hear at a bar on live music night that I'll applaud loudly for but never remember again." Yet it hasn't been live performed. A loss.

​

 

[Maki]

Surprised to see all these decent songs leaving one after another...

Yo Trippin' - 7
~ Pretty much a definition of a 7/10 song - perfectly serviceable tune, no significant complaints and if it played on a shuffle, I wouldn't skip it and instead bob my head along to it. I completely agree with @Sprockrooster and @londonrain in regards that it's forgettable on a grand scale and is a perfect background, feelgood music for a bar. Sprocky mentioning the people chatting during the song vocals made me realize that it may actually be the concept. The chorus is obviously the best and most memorable part, but the repeated "Why you feel..." line in the second verse is a very nice touch, too. All in all, there are definitely weaker songs that I thought (and hoped) would leave before this one.

Not entirely sure what @berserkboi is saying "I enjoy this more than the affectations would have me believe!"

@berserkboi finding affectations even when they don't exist shocker.

The elimination of "Yo Trippin'" makes me think that "Don't Stop (Doin' It)" will leave very soon, since I thought the two songs have a lot in common.

 

[londonrain]

I’ve already forgotten how this song goes. Looks like my commentary was right!

 

[Sprockrooster]

Back to the Freak of Nature main album.

Leaderboard Trajectory: #54 - #81 - #91 - #91 - #93 - #94 - #94 - #92 - #92


Secrets
Average: 6,79
Highest: 10 @MilesAngel
Lowest: 4,0 @londonrain
Sprocky's score: 9,5​

Secrets got featured prominently on the Live at Last Tour as she took her time to lead in the performance. It features her issues she had growing up as a child being Crohn’s disease and her father walking away from their family. It would become a rarity in her setlist after this tour, but thank God we have the memories and the recording. This track feels very light in sound which juxtaposes the lyrical message that gets very dark. The light production makes her vocals standout very well and she carries the song with ease. But I feel like there is more with the production that needs to be highlighted. Because it is so light it gives a sort of positive message. How dark your feelings are, everything will be alright. Anastacia explained she is an optimistic girl. What doesn’t kill makes you stronger. That is why I went with this artwork. It is the sign she has tattooed on her back known as the ANKH. It stands for life (ad rebirth). Behind her are some sort of flames representing the bad shit in her life. Yet the ankh comes to the front preserving the flames meaning life overcomes any heat thrown at you.

The commentary section went in on this one sadly. Let me start with lowest scorer @londonrain "I never remember that this exists. Will I remember it by the time it's eliminated?" Well, do you? @Maki throws shade aswell: "Possibly my least favourite song from this album. A bit of a snoozefest.The verses are pretty good. The chorus is lame and gets repetitive." The infamous filler is thrown by @livefrommelbs "IDK, this one just kinda plods along for me. Issa filler." Filler equals forgetable in a way right. Well, @berserkboi aligns well then "This is a bit cute and forgettable compared with most of the other tracks on the album so far".

​

 

[Maki]

Highest: 10 @Miles Away

Also, a bop:



Anyways, it's nice to see my second lowest remaining score depart.

Secrets - 5,25
~ Yeah, this is definitely my least favourite song from "Freak of Nature", so I'm annoyed to see it outlast "Don'tcha Wanna", among a few other songs. It's just... too restrained and ends up being extremely MOR. I do hear the warmth juxtaposed with dark lyrics, but that doesn't prevent this song sounding utterly boring to me, I'm afraid. And being 5+ minutes long doesn't do it any justice, either. Nice to see commentary perfectly aligning, once again.

Though I must say I'm interested to hear that @MilesAngel has to say about his high score for this song.