Kelly Clarkson: Stronger - Album Review

Kelly Clarkson
Stronger
Rating: Yeah Daddy Make Me Want It

Back on track after her left-turn album My December, which was actually not as far away from her signature style as her label led people to believe, Clarkson returns to what made her a star in the first place, an album chock full of big chorused, anthemic songs, touching on rock, pop, adult contemporary, and country. While this sounds like a recipe for music chart schizophrenia, the album is grounded by Clarkson's still lovely voice. And of course, it helps that Clarkson co-wrote 5 of the tracks, giving it a more personal slant than a pop star like Britney Spears or Rihanna. When Clarkson clicks with her co-writers, or picks the right song and collaborators, the music she creates is gold. It is only when the material is inferior that not even her large voice can make up for it.

For the first time in awhile, Clarkson's producers don't try to overwhelm her with fussy backing, letting her voice do the work. Clarkson shows her chops on the gorgeous mid-tempo ballad "Honestly," which has her knocking the chorus out of the park.



The fuzzy "Let Me Down" has Clarkson coming up against booming drums and power pop guitars, and winning handily.



Clarkson leans a little too heavily on "Since U Been Gone" style tracks, but even their familiarity seems more homey than lazy. "Stronger" is a girl power anthem, which Clarkson of course can sell in her sleep.



"I Forgive You" changes things up a little bit, blasting a Cars-like buzz of squalling keyboards and guitars.



Of course, this trajectory can also get her into trouble. "Einstein" is another kiss off track that lyrically is just silly.



The rest of the album is a nice mix of uptempo tracks like catchy first single "Mr. Know It All,"



slow-building "Dark Side," which again has a killer chorus,



and guitar rave-up "You Can't Win."



The album only falters when the material is not up to the challenge of Clarkson's voice. Too many standard Top 40 ballads and treacly pop fluff almost threaten to sink the ship. Not even Clarkson can overcome the saccharine "Breaking Your Own Heart," the end credits love theme like "Standing In Front of You," or the limp power pop of "You Love Me."

Sonically, Stronger is virtually a carbon-copy of her last release, All I Ever Wanted, and as such, lacks an individual voice, however, there are still enough catchy songs here for that quibble to be overlooked. Stronger is a slow builder, gradually increasing in strength, and shows that when Clarkson is at the top of her game, no one can belt out a killer chorus like her. For fans of great pop music, Stronger is a winner.

Rating Scale:Chilfos: masterpiece; coolest thing I've heard in ages.Woof Daddy: excellent; just a hair away from being a masterpiece.Grrrr: very good; will definitely be considered for my top releases of the year.Yeah Daddy Make Me Want It: good; definitely invites further listens and peaks one's interest for more material.Meh: not horrible, but certainly not great; could have either been polished, trimmed, or re-thought.Jeez Lady: what the hell happened? Just plain bad. They should hang their heads in shame and be forced to listen to Lady Gaga ad nauseam as penance.Tragicistani: so bad, armed villagers with pitchforks and torches should run the artist out of the country for inflicting this abomination on the human race.