ETA: Hear Kelly Clarkson and her band on AOL Sessions
Kelly Clarkson’s third album “My December” finally drops today. After all the controversy about this album, I listened….and…
I like it.
It’s not a masterpiece, but it’s a step in the right direction. She’s singing pop with a harder edge here, and she pulls it off. Her vocals are terrific. She’s not a great songwriter–her lyrics verge on the sophomoric at times–but as a budding songwriter and considering her youth, I think she’s got room to grow. More importantly, she is growing, and changing.
Unfortunately for Kelly, she came out of American Idol, whose graduates are expected to create commercial product that sells. A lot. Kelly’s “Breakaway” was one of the few bright spots sales-wise in an economic landscape where it became increasingly difficult for record labels to make money. I’m sure Clive Davis was counting on Kelly to create pop magic once again–selling millions of records to bolster the sagging bottom line of BMG/Sony.
While My December should sell well, it’s an ambitious record with no sure-fire hits on it. Unfortunately for Clive, it probably won’t sell 6 million units. But fortunately for her fans, Kelly has her eye on the big picture. She may sell fewer records now, but have a career that continues as she matures.
Some Favs: “Sober, ” “Hole, ” “Don’t Waste Your Time, ” and “Irvine.”
Rock on Kelly.
Don’t miss Nevada’s Kelly Timeline. It’s the most detailed timeline of the “My December” saga you’ll find on the internet.
