Kelly Clarkson: All I Ever Wanted
Review by Amanda

Kelly Clarkson’s fans have been eagerly awaiting her fourth album ever since, well, the release of her third. “My December” featured a darker tone with much more personal songs than her previous albums. While some people may have been disappointed with the lack of danceable pop tracks, it was definitely more artistic than her previous efforts. Her newest album finds a way to satisfy fans of both the lighthearted pop and the darker rock songs. She blends the styles well on this disc, and almost any of its tracks could find their way on to mainstream radio.

“My Life Would Suck Without You” was the first single released for the album, and it is definitely one of the more fun songs on the disc. I love the portrayal of the relationship that is so wrong it has to be right. Kelly’s vocals on the track are fantastic on the upbeat pop-rock song, even f it does not showcase them as well as some of the other songs.

“I Do Not Hook Up.” A bold statement. I love this song. Now, I am not someone who bursts into dance, but this is a great dance song. Once you have seen the music video though, I feel like the track takes on a much more sarcastic tone than if you would have just listened to the song on its own. As a standalone, it is a great female power track, somewhere in the vein of “Miss Independent,” but definitely with more of an edge. The chorus is definitely infectious, and will probably stay in your head for days as well.

“Cry” can be referred to as a ballad, if you so choose, but it has a bit of an edge to it, like a lot of the pop/rock blends you will find on the album. It is the first break up song on the disc, and it really showcases the range of the singer. Kelly’s voice is amazing on this track. It is probably one of the best, vocally, in the entire set.

“Don’t Let Me Stop You” is very reminiscent of one of the previous hits “Behind These Hazel Eyes.” Musically, the two songs are very similar, and with the opening words of the song referring to a girl who used to hide her emotions, it could almost be a follow up to the older song. The track features an angry Kelly confronting a partner who no longer appears to be wholeheartedly in the relationship. I have a feeling this would be a good choice for an upcoming single. The stylistic resemblance to past hits would almost guarantee it a spot on the charts.

“Already Gone” is slower than many of the other tracks on the disk, but it does not exactly qualify as a typical slow song or a ballad. The song refers to a relationship that is over, and that even though the couple may still care about one another, they have to move on. It has a different sound than the other selections. Maybe it is the difference in the percussion instruments, or maybe it is the haunting tone taken on by Kelly Clarkson’s voice. Whatever it is, it makes the track stand out.

“If I Can’t Have You” has a pulsing dance beat and almost sounds like it was reworked from an old techno song. Honestly, I waver between enjoying the song and wishing it were better. It is not a bad song at all. I just do not think it is on par with the rest of the album The sentiments expressed in the song occur on other tracks already, and I think there are enough “club songs” on here to satisfy any listener. This song could have been replaced by one of the bonus tracks she recorded for the deluxe edition of the disc.

“Save You” is something for the fans who loved her album. It does not have quite as much of an edge as the tracks on “My December,” but it definitely has a darker tone than a lot of the songs on this disc. Despite the repetitions of “it’s gonna be alright” in the song, the offsetting “I wish I could save you” might make the listener think that it is not, exactly, going to be alright. The drawn out vocals make the song even less likely to have a happy ending, but it makes for a fantastic song.

“Whyyawannabringmedown” is that song. It is the one even some of the most loyal fans have been cringing at when they hear it. I would like to point out that it is really not as bad as so many people were afraid of. It is an angry, rock laced song, shooting back at the people who would want to “bring her down.” It just feels a little out of place. With all of the dance tracks, the pop infused songs, and the tongue in cheek lyrics of the album, this track is just loud and angry. I like listening to it for the simple reason that it makes Kelly sound different. She works out her voice in a different way for this song, and that saves it.

“Long Shot” is probably my favorite song on the new album. It recounts a story of a girl taking a chance on a relationship that took an unexpected turn, whether the pair is ready for it or not. The music blends some of Kelly’s best styles as well. It lies somewhere between pop and rock with a little bit of dance thrown in for good measure. The styles blend effortlessly with her voice on the track and make for a fantastic song.

“Impossible” starts off sounding like it is going to turn in to one of those strange pop-techno hybrids, but it quickly gets passed that. The rock laced music is accompanied by lyrics indicating that Kelly Clarkson can do the impossible, even if no one believes she can. She asks “won’t someone tell me why it’s so hard taking chances” and indicates that she will no longer worry about it; she will just make her own mistakes and move on. The song is a great inspirational track without sounding like an inspirational track.

“Ready” has a lighter, more uplifting feel to it. This is one of those songs you could play when you hop into your car, throw the top down, and just drive to anywhere. Being “ready” is exactly what the song is about, being ready for whatever is thrown at you, being ready to make your mark on the world, the list goes on. I defy anyone to listen to this song and not enjoy it.

“I Want You” is yet another danceable track. After her last album, full of darker, albeit more personal, songs, it seems Kelly was looking to ensure her disc had enough tracks that would demonstrate her vocal ability, but would also be easy for her fans to move to at a party. It is almost a companion track to “My Life Would Suck Without You,” with the singer remarking that the guy she has her eye on is not perfect, but he is the one for her. A fun song.

“If Know One Will Listen” appears as the final track on the regular version of the album. It marks Kelly’s token power ballad. I am really glad that this closes out the disc, because anywhere else and it would be out of place. It covers all the traditional bases of a Kelly Clarkson ballad: powerful vocals, decent lyrics, that piano in the background, and did I mention those vocals? Some critics have wondered why the ballad is present at all when the rest of the album is so heavy on the pop rock, but I think the reason is simple; the song serves as a reminder that Kelly Clarkson is not just here to churn out hits. She has a VOICE.

Bonus tracks on the deluxe edition of the album include “Tip of My Tongue” and “The Day We Fell Apart.” “Tip of My Tongue” holds more rock flavor, while “The Day We Fell Apart” has a bit more of an electronic feel to it. I am not entirely sure what caused the trend among artists today to put out multiple versions of their albums, and I wonder why they do not just include all of the tracks on one volume. The bonus tracks always seem to offer up something that is missing from the rest of the album. So, as usual, if you choose to buy the album, I would have to recommend going the deluxe route.

This disc has such an eclectic mix of tracks on it, that I think there is something for everyone, not just the usual Kelly Clarkson fan. She is able to convey the rock-n-roll attitude amidst mainstream pop, and still finds room to belt out a ballad or two. She has real staying power as an artist. I do not think anyone could be disappointed with the album. Whether you liked the girl who first one American Idol a few years back, or you liked the artist who bared her soul on her third album, you will find something about this CD to love.