Heavy Rotation (Anastacia album)
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Heavy Rotation is the fourth studio album from the American singer-songwriter Anastacia. It is her first studio album in over four years, since her self-titled third studio album Anastacia released in 2004. According to Anastacia, the album title also has a deeper meaning to it, referring to the fact that life rotates and you get through the "heavy" things.[2]
History
She explained the meaning of the title as follows:
I called the album Heavy Rotation because it's a phrase that originated with DJs, and also for me the meaning is, life can be heavy, but it all turns around and goes into something else. It seemed to be the perfect title for where I'm at in my life."[3]
The album has been released on October 24 through October 28, 2008 in Europe and on October 27, 2008[4] in Australia, Asia and New Zealand, with the rest of the world to follow in 2009. The first single, "I Can Feel You" and the album title have been confirmed on Anastacia's official website.
Anastacia, speaking about how long it took to record, write and produce the album:
I reckon it’s probably one of the fastest made records ever. I don’t know why but things are never easy for me. I either have to have cancer while making an album or I just have two days to make it.
I signed a new record deal in April and the album is now done – 13 songs but only just. The whole thing was written, recorded and produced in super quick time.
I did a metamorphosis change. If it was up to me I would loved to have started writing last year.
Taken from Anastacia.com:
It's been such a fast album I had no idea of what it was going to sound like, what I was going to say. I figured there would be a couple of love songs, but I didn't realise that most of the album was going to be as happy as it is. Even the songs I didn't write myself, that I chose, are all positive. Not 'Left Outside Alone' and 'I'm Out Of Love', but songs like 'I Can Feel You' and 'Heavy Rotation'.
But the music feels different to the Anastacia album. This album is more soulful. I feel more in touch with my inner self, my inner soul. I feel like I've come out of the other side of it all now, and found real peace. I've realised that life doesn't have to be controlled by me, in every way. And it's been fun, letting go, realising I don't have to be such a perfectionist.
Heavy Rotation will be Anastacia's first studio album on her new record deal with The Island Def Jam Music Group / Mercury Records since her departure from Daylight / Epic. She said that the album would have come out earlier but was pushed back because of the negotiations with the record labels.[6]
Album information
On October 7, 2008, previews to three songs, including: "Absolutely Positively", "Defeated" and "Heavy Rotation" were posted on Anastacia's official MySpace page.[7]
The European edition of the album will each contain 12 songs, the first single for the North American release of the album will be a different one, other than "I Can Feel You". In some parts of the world, "Beautiful Messed Up World" will be considered as a bonus track. Anastacia has said in an interview with her Austrian fan club that her favourite song on the album is "Heavy Rotation".[8]
On October 21, 2008 Anastacia hosted a webchat on www.thesun.co.uk stating the following about Heavy Rotation:
Heavy Rotation has a very different vibe. It’s the first happy album I’ve ever made. I honestly never knew I could write so many upbeat songs. I guess it shows my outlook on life right now.
[9] Anastacia also described the song "Heavy Rotation" via webchat:
...it’s a crazy and infectious dance song. I'm very pleased with it. I’m not an avid compulsive listener of my own music unless I’m on stage. I don't like it. But this tune perks me up all the time. It will be released as a single at some point.
Taken from Anastacia.com:
I'd say this album is a softer piece of me, a gentler side, even a more feminine side. I've come into embracing my sensuality as a woman, finally. I'm like wine. It's taken a while, but my reserve is quite popular right now! I'm just really happy inside, and I think that's reflected in the music. Sometimes that comes with age, and sometimes just with what you've experienced in your life. So both of them together are why this is going to be an exciting record for me to promote. It's very thrilling, to have so many new chances, new opportunities...
Previews to all songs on the album were posted on Anastacia's German website on October 17. [11]
Track listing
# | Song | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "I Can Feel You" | Chuck Harmony , Shaffer 'Ne-Yo' Smith | Chuck Harmony | 3:49 |
2. | "The Way I See It" | Anastacia, Jack Kugell, Jamie Jones, Jason Pennock, Andrew Frampton, Dmyreo 'Reo' Mitchell | The Heavyweights, Andrew Frampton, Dmyreo 'Reo' Mitchell, Lester Mendez | 3:29 |
3. | "Absolutely Positively" | Chuck Harmony, Shaffer 'Ne-Yo' Smith | Chuck Harmony | 4:21 |
4. | "Defeated" | Anastacia, Jonathan ‘JR’ Rotem, Damon Sharpe | Jonathan ‘JR’ Rotem | 3:55 |
5. | "In Summer" | Anastacia, Guy Chambers, Rico Love | Chuck Harmony | 4:05 |
6. | "Heavy Rotation" | Rodney ‘Darckchild’ Jerkins, Frankie Storm | Rodney ‘Darckchild’ Jerkins | 3:25 |
7. | "Same Song" | Anastacia, Guy Chambers | Lester Mendez | 3:56 |
8. | "I Call It Love" | Anastacia, Jack Kugell, Jamie Jones, Jason Pennock, Andrew Frampton | The Heavyweights, Andrew Frampton, Dmyreo 'Reo' Mitchell | 3:38 |
9. | "All Fall Down" | Anastacia, Guy Chambers | Lester Mendez | 3:07 |
10. | "Never Gonna Love Again" | Anastacia, Guy Chambers | Chuck Harmony | 3:33 |
11. | "You'll Be Fine" | Anastacia, Lester Mendez, Damon Sharpe | Lester Mendez | 3:39 |
12. | "Beautiful Messed Up World" (Bonus Track) |
Anastacia, Jack Kugell, Jamie Jones, Jason Pennock, Andrew Frampton, Dmyreo 'Reo' Mitchell | The Heavyweights | 3:09 |
iTunes Store Exclusive | ||||
* | "Naughty" | Anastacia, Lester Mendez, Damon Sharpe | Lester Mendez | 3:33 |
Singles
- "I Can Feel You" was chosen as the lead single off Heavy Rotation and was released in October 2008 with the music video directed by Chris Applebaum.
- The second single, "Absolutely Positively" has been confirmed by Anastacia on This Morning Monday, November 3. The video was shot in London and directed by Nigel Dick, who also directed her videos for "I'm Outta Love" and "Cowboys & Kisses".
Critical reception
On September 3, 2008, Anastacia hosted an album listening party at the Bureau Club in Soho, London. On September 9, 2008, Capital 95.8 posted a review of that listening party, saying that Heavy Rotation is one of her strongest and most varied albums to date.[12]
Trivia
- Heavy Rotation was ranked at #10 by Billboard's "Readers' Poll: 10 Best Albums" of 2008.[13]
- In November 2008, Anastacia ranked at #14 on VH1 Europe's "Final Countdown: 50 Best Female Voices".[14]
- In December 2008, the video for "I Can Feel You" ranked at #40 on VH1 Europe's "Final Countdown: 100 Best Videos of 2008".[15]
Promotion
- In August, September and October 2008, Anastacia made several radio and TV appearances in Europe to promote her new album.
- The album will also be promoted by an upcoming 2009 world tour.[16]
- On September 29, 2008, Anastacia opened the Operation Triumph, a Serbian music talent show, performing two songs, "Left Outside Alone" and her new single "I Can Feel You".
- On Monday October 20, Anastacia appeared in Spain on Dancing with the Stars ("Mira Quien Baila") singing the first single off Heavy Rotation, "I Can Feel You".
- Anastacia appeared on the UK chat show The Graham Norton Show on Thursday, October 23.
- Anastacia appeared on GMTV Tuesday, October 28 and performed at the Pink Ribbon Gala in Stockholm.
- On Friday October 31, 2008 Anastacia gave an interview on the UK day time show Loose Women.
- Anastacia performed at G-A-Y nightclub on Saturday, November 1. The show took place in the club's new venue, "Heaven", in central London.
- Anastacia made an appearance on This Morning Monday, November 3 to promote her new album, where she also announced the second single from Heavy Rotation, "Absolutely Positively".
- On November the 6th, Anastacia presented an award along with Michael Owen at the 15th annual MTV Europe Music Awards held in Liverpool.
- Anastacia attended the 20th annual World Music Awards 2008 in Monte Carlo, on November 9th where she performed the 2nd single from Heavy Rotation, "Absolutely Positively".
- On Saturday November 15, 2008 Anastacia took part on "Serata D'onore", a TV show in Italy, which aired on Rai Uno where she performed her hit single "I Can Feel You".
- On Sunday November 23, 2008 Anastacia appeared on the "Divas II" benefit concert along with many other female artists. The show aired on ITV1. Anastacia performed two of her hit's : "Left Outside Alone" and "I Can Feel You".
- She performed "I Can Feel You", "Left Outside Alone", "Absolutely Positively" and "I'm Outta Love" on Friday November 28, 2008 at "Energy Stars for Free 2008" a benefit concert in Zurich.
- She was invited as a guest on the Paul O'Grady Show Tuesday December 9, 2008 where she also performed "Absolutely Positively". The show aired on Channel 4.
- Anastacia performed "I'm Outta Love" , "Left Outside Alone" and "I Can Feel You" on 95.8 Capital FM's "Jingle Bell Ball" on December 10, 2008. The concert took place at The O2 arena in London.
- On Friday December 12, 2008 she performed "Absolutely Positively", "I'm Outta Love" and "Left Outside Alone" in Madrid, at "Los Premios 40 Principales" award ceremony.
- On the 13th of December 2008, Anastacia performed "I Can Feel You" on the popular TV show Wetten, dass..? in Stuttgart.
2009 World Tour
Anastacia has confirmed her upcoming 2009 world tour giving a few details:
There will be a tour but I’ve still not decided when. It’s looking like it will be mid-to-end of 2009. I know I’m a little different to other artists but I don’t like bringing out an album and then immediately going on tour. I want people to listen to my music and be very familiar with it before the gigs. I also need to understand the album before I can go out and create a tour for. All I can confirm is that it will be a global tour. I'll come to Asia and Australia first, then I'll do a big stint in Europe and then America. It makes sense to do America last as it's the final place I'm releasing the album.
Charts and certifications
Charts | Peak Position |
Certification | Sales/Shipments[18] |
---|---|---|---|
Australian Albums Chart[19] | 47 | ||
Austrian Albums Chart[20] | 6 | Gold | 10,000+[citation needed] |
Belgian (Flanders) Albums Chart[21] | 43 | ||
Belgian (Walloon) Albums Chart[22] | 39 | ||
Czech Albums Chart[23] | 17 | Platinum | 6,000+[citation needed] |
Danish Albums Chart[24] | 31 | ||
Dutch Albums Chart[25] | 15 | ||
European Top 100 Albums[26] | 6 | ||
Finland Albums Chart[27] | 30 | ||
French Albums Chart[28] | 60 | 6,000[29] | |
German Albums Chart[30] | 13 | ||
Greek Albums Chart[31] | 7 | ||
Irish Albums Chart[32] | 45 | ||
Italian Albums Chart[33] | 6 | Gold | 40,000[34] |
Norwegian Albums Chart[35] | 28 | ||
Portuguese Albums Chart[36] | 21 | 5,000+[citation needed] | |
Russian Albums Chart[37] | n/a | Gold[38] | 10,000+ |
Romanian Albums Chart | n/a | Gold | 5,000+[citation needed] |
Spain Albums Chart[39] | 3 | ||
Swedish Albums Chart[40] | 15 | Gold | 20,000+[citation needed] |
Swiss Albums Chart[41] | 3 | Gold | 15,000+[citation needed] |
UK Albums Chart[42] | 17 | Silver | 60,000+[citation needed] |
Release history
Date | Country | Label |
---|---|---|
October 24, 2008 | Germany | Mercury / Island Def Jam |
Italy | ||
Netherlands | ||
Austria | ||
Switzerland | ||
October 25, 2008 | Australia | |
October 27, 2008 | Europe | |
UK | ||
Asia | ||
New Zealand | ||
October 28, 2008 | Spain |
References
- ^ http://www.anastacia.de/bio.php
- ^ http://www.rpr1.de/de/content/view/96/256/
- ^ Anastacia Is Back With Fourth Studio Album 'Heavy Rotation'. (August 21, 2008) MTV Asia. Accessed 2008-08-25.
- ^ http://www.anastacia.com/
- ^ http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/music/article1838160.ece
- ^ http://www.br-online.de/bayern3/stars-und-storys/anastacia-thorsten-otto-interview-ID1220002281374.xml
- ^ http://www.myspace.com/anastaciaofficial
- ^ http://www.anastaciafanclub.at/
- ^ http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/music/article1838160.ece
- ^ http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/music/article1838160.ece
- ^ http://www.anastacia.de/vs.php?campaignID=C1337/
- ^ http://www.capitalradio.co.uk/music-showbiz/music/music-features/first-listen-anastacia/
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/yearend/2008/news/readers-poll.shtml
- ^ http://vh1e.com/
- ^ http://vh1e.com/
- ^ www.anastacia.com
- ^ http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/music/article1838160.ece
- ^ International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (2006). "Certification Award Levels" (PDF). ifpi.org. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
- ^ http://www.australian-charts.com/showitem.asp?interpret=Anastacia&titel=Heavy+Rotation&cat=a
- ^ http://charts.orf.at/oe3/longplay/2008/woche44/
- ^ http://www.ultratop.be/en/weekchart.asp?cat=a&lang=fr
- ^ http://www.ultratop.be/en/weekchart.asp?cat=a&lang=fr
- ^ http://allcharts.org/music/czechia/albums.htm
- ^ http://danishcharts.com/showitem.asp?key=95731&cat=a
- ^ http://www.dutchcharts.nl/weekchart.asp?cat=a
- ^ http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3ibdfb90c835ef4775ab4365d551ca2890
- ^ http://pop.yle.fi/lista/albumit
- ^ http://www.chartsinfrance.net/charts/albums.php,p6
- ^ http://www.chartsinfrance.net/charts/bilan-2008.php
- ^ http://www.musicload.de/officialcharts
- ^ http://www.ifpi.gr/chart04.htm
- ^ http://www.irma.ie/aucharts.asp#albums
- ^ http://www.fimi.it/classifiche_artisti.php
- ^ http://worldwidealbums.blogspot.com/2009/01/italian-estimations-mega-update-130109.html
- ^ http://lista.vg.no/show_list.php?ListsOp=showWeek&listID=2
- ^ http://www.artistas-espectaculos.com/topafp.php
- ^ http://2m-online.ru/gold_n_platinum/detail.php?COUNTRY=5078
- ^ http://2m-online.ru/gold_n_platinum/detail.php?COUNTRY=5078
- ^ http://www.promusicae.org/espanol.html
- ^ http://www.hitlistan.se/
- ^ http://swisscharts.com/weekchart.asp?cat=a
- ^ http://www.theofficialcharts.com/top40_albums.php