Monday, March 09, 2009

ALBUM REVIEW: Kelly Clarkson's "All I Ever Wanted"


When Kelly Clarkson's comeback was announced and her first single, "My Life Would Suck Without You," hit the radio waves, I wasn't really impressed. It's her fault. With hits like "Since You Been Gone" and "Miss Independent," she's set her bar pretty high, which is probably why everyone considers her third album, My December, a failure. I didn't particularly enjoy it, and apparently neither did the critics.

But Clarkson hasn't resurrected her career so she can be a people-pleaser. Yeah, there are sure-fire girl power tracks on All I Ever Wanted, but there are also a few experimental songs that allow her to have a little fun. My favorite part of her album are her collaborations with Katy Perry and Ryan Tedder from OneRepublic--I just love the idea of collaborations in general.

If you don't want to risk the chance of being disappointed by her latest effort, then enjoy this helpful track guide:

• Songs you can belt out: the ballad "Cry" and the blood-pumping, deluxe edition track "Can't we go back"

• For Paramore/Avril Lavigne lovers: "Don't Let Me Stop"

• For Pink and Gwen Stefani fans who are fond of Blondie's attitude and the electric guitar: "All I Ever Wanted" and the super-catchy "Whyyawannabringmedown" (this should be her next single)

• If you love Ryan Tedder from OneRepublic, then listen to the tracks he co-wrote with Kelly: the ballad "Already Gone," the very Britney-Gaga upbeat dance song "If I Can't Have You," and the inspiring "Impossible." There's also one he wrote with someone else: "Save You" and an extra track on the deluxe album called "Tip of my Tongue."

• For fans of Katy Perry's lyrics: the girl-power anthem "I Do Not Hook Up" and the chant-worthy "Long Shot."

• If you want to hear the closest Kelly will ever get to R&B: "Impossible" and "Tip of my Tongue."

• If you want to hear a cross between Natasha Bedingfield and Kate Nash country-style: "Ready"

• If you want to hear a modernized 50s pop slash Duffy-type Kelly: "I Want You."

All in all, I think it's better than the last album. I could probably play "WhyYaWannaBringMeDown" all day.

2 comments:

  1. Kelly Clarkson still rocks.

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