not.com.mercial

Released exclusively through her website in 2000 after being deemed 'not commercial' by her label, this album represents a significant archival and creative pivot for Cher. Most of the material was written during a 1994 songwriting retreat at the Chateau de Marouatte in France, a period where she felt a sudden, uncontrollable burst of lyrical inspiration. Sonically, it is a sharp departure from the high-gloss dance-pop of 'Believe' (1998), instead favoring the singer-songwriter traditions of the early 1970s. The album includes 'Classified 1A', a song originally written in 1970, and '(The Fall) Kurt’s Blues', a tribute to Kurt Cobain. Critics and fans often cite this as her most personal work, highlighting the lack of vocal processing and the focus on storytelling. It remains a cult favorite for its raw production and its status as a 'lost' folk-rock record from a pop titan.