She has one of the greatest voices in pop music--competing with the likes of vocal powerhouses such as her contemporaries Joss Stone, and Christina Aguilera, as well as music icons like Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston.
The reason Clarkson is so successful in her craft, unlike her succeeding Idol winners, is because not only does she posess great talent, but she strives for excellence in her music. She wants to be more than just a pop star with a good career. Right now, her music is only good, but over time she will evolve into a full-fledged musician, and she will surprise the likes of everyone.
Her new album Breakaway shows her evolution since Thankful--vocally, stylistically, and emotionally--and her sales so far show her fan base is as loyal as ever.
The sound on this album, though not completely original, has much evolved from the more commercial (though solid) sound on Thankful. It's more of a rockier, grittier, harder sound--though still pop. Clarkson finds a great balance between her soulful vocals and the Avril Lavigne-Sheryl Crow-esque songs on this album.
"Since U Been Gone" is one of the best cuts on the album: a high energy, vocally powered, pop/rock jam with a hook that is infectious. Perfect choice for a first single.
My favorites from the album are "Where Is Your Heart", and "Because of You", the ballads. Clarkson's vocal prowess really does not get the acclaim it deserves. She commands these two songs like a seasoned pro and directs herself in her songs the way Steven Spielberg said Barbra Streisand directs herself in her songs as if she's directing an actor in a movie. Clarkson's ballads have a beginning, middle, and end, and they take you for a 4 minute emotional ride that is thrilling for anyone 10 to 45. This woman has much better to come.
Edited: Bryan McKay
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Eric Olsen
sots, thanks for this very fine set of reviews - we are glad to have you aboard!
And who would have thought Kelly Clarkson would have this kind of impact?
2 - Ron
"Right now, her music is only good, ".....wow, 5 #1's is only good, just imagine when she puts out great songs, lol
Kelly is already a legend, even if her career stopped today.....if you don't believe me, compare your favorite's to kelly's Top40 success here.
Is anyone more over-rated than joss stone? Her one top49 hit is not much.
Christine has three #1's (i don't count the group song), yet she has been out since 1999.
Janis joplin is mentioned often regarding kelly (often that kelly could never compare), but janis only had one #1, and only one or two other hits.
Kelly has other records, not showing on top40, such as her 20weeks, and counting, at #1 on AC radio with "breakaway" (22weeks is the all-time record) and is close to the all-time record for time on hot100, #1 on hot100 w/ "a moment like this", "since u been gone" is #2 most downloaded song of all-time, weeks from #1, "behind these hazel eyes" has been #1 on TRL (MTV show which has been around about 8yrs) longer than any female or male ever.
I know people hate to acknowledge new artists, but the facts speak for themselves.
3 - Chris Evans
Ron...you're acting as if I gave her a bad review. Kelly Clarkson is my absolute favorite singer, and I love this album. The only reason I said right now her music is only "good", is because I know she has incredible potential, and because at the moment, her sound is borrowed from other artisits such as Avril Lavigne and Evanescence. Plus...you're acting as if how many #1's someone has determines how good their music is. Uh...Ever heard of this small little indie group called THE SPICE GIRLS?
4 - Ron
I didn't mention "bad", but you only said her music is "good" not "great".
I just think it is funny how people hold back on saying how truly great she is.
As for avril and evanescence (which you must admit is vastly different sounds), I am fasinated at how kelly can sound like others, but do it better.
"A moment like this" was compared to mariah's sound in 2002, and mariah couldn't get on radio.
"miss independent" was compared to christina, then christina had radio trouble.
"since u been gone" and "hazel eyes" are compared to avril, and, since, avril has been ignored by radio, yet these 2 songs set a record by both being in the top3 a the same time, only also done by mariah and alanis.
when "because of you" and "addicted" come out, evanescence better not be trying for radio, lol.
5 - BRICKLAYER
Fine, fine junk in the trunk.
6 - Mysterio
Your really sad, your trying to hype Kelly Clarkson as more than what she is, sounds like another sheep of a fan. Those "Records" you posted dont make her legendary, number 1's are easy to come by nowadays compared to, oh i dont know, The 90s??? You dont need to sell as much, and another thing, the guy just said hes only saying shes good because he KNOWS how much more she can do, i like her too but you are probably another one of those stupid kids who thinks that their favourite artist is the greatest musical sensation of all time. Get Over it shes just started, AND BTW if you wanna talk REAL records check out her album and single sales! Usher and Norah Jones' most recent releases have far outsold both her albums, and Norahs Debut Album way outsold Kelly's in the US alone (and thats more important than number one's).
Bob Dylan had one number one, i guess hes not great. Kid you got alot to learn about music and what makes someone great.
7 - Mysterio
Oh and BTW, shes got a great voice, great music, and is really doin alot for pop and rock music. She should take out no less than 5 grammies this year.
8 - Chris Evans
Get off your high horse. e____e
9 - Temple Stark
Well damn, I like the woman and all, and her singing. But "legend." Yikes !!!!!!! (Seven of 'em, it's a Blogcritics tradition)
10 - Chris Evans
Yeah....she's hardly a legend. I dunno what's wrong with that guy.
11 - Tan The Man
Don't listen to these guys. If you like Kelly Clarkson, WAVE YOUR HANDS IN AIR!! YEAH!
12 - Natalie Davis
Jeez... I had to clean the pepsi off the monitor screen. Legend? She's what, 23? She's a good pop singer with a fine set of pipes. At this point, as has been noted, her music is derivative of other, more experienced pop singers. Selling records and hitting number one, though nice in a certain sense, do not prove greatness. Kelly C;arkson has come far from her AI days, no question. But give the girl a chance to grow into a mature, seasoned artist with vision; let her earn the designation. "Legend" is a term that ought to be used sparingly or it loses all meaning. The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, the Stones, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Wonder, Jimi Hendrix... these folks and some others are the stuff of legend. Christina and Mariah are talented, popular pop-music singers -- even they can't be classed as legends. And neither can Kelly Clarkson. Not yet. We'll see what happens 10, 20 years down the road. Until then, we get to enjoy her journey, and if she keeps delivering catchy, rockin' tunes like "Since You've Been Gone" and sparkling pop tunes like "Breakaway," it should be a sweet pop-music ride.
13 - Chris Evans
YES! THANK YOU NATALIE! Brilliantly stated.
14 - Natalie Davis
Happy to be of service, Mr. Evans.
Someone mentioned Janis Joplin above -- she's a legend. Have you heard of Joss Stone? That girl is way closer to the late singer in ability and tone than Clarkson. And trust me, Stone -- she's 17, I think -- is not even close to being legendary. Melissa Etheridge blew Stone off the stage at the Grammy Awards earlier this year when they performed a duet of "Piece of My Heart." Now, I ADORE Etheridge, but she isn't a legend either. Bono is amazing, IMO. Super famous? Absolutely. Legend? Not quite yet.
I gotta let this go; this could go on all night.
15 - Tan The Man
The word "legend" is very misused. I don't even think artists want to be called a "legend". People could mention Etta James or Billie Holiday as legends, but I bet the same people have never heard of their music. I'm beginning to think that the artists themselves aren't the ones to really be praised - their music should be.
16 - Ron
Glad people posted who they think are legends to prove my point.
Jimi Hendrix:
top hit= #20 in 1968 w/ a dylan re-make of "all along the watchtower"
other hits were 6 songs, from #52 to 82, from 1967 to 1971 (i submit he is only thought of as a legend because he died young, otherwise he would be mostly unknown)
Janis joplin:
top hit= #1 in 1971 w/ "me and bobby mcgee"
other hits were 4 songs, from #41 to 91, from 1969 to 1972 (i submit she is only thought of as a legend because he died young, otherwise she would be mostly unknown)
Joni Mitchell:
top pop hit= #7 in 1974 w/ "help me"
other hits were 7 songs, from #22 to 93, from 1970 to 1982.
We can be like the rock-n-roll hall of fame and wait 20yrs before we call her worthy, but, if she never makes another song, in 17 more years, she'll get in.
17 - Crépeau
Hi,i just watched some clips of Kelly on Yahoo,and i must say that she still touched me in my heart and soul.I regret deeply to have miss her when she came to Montreal,i gave my ticket to a friend who has cerebral palsy,i should have seen her but at least i made a good deed.Good bless her
18 - duckaDarko
first of all, kelly is the ONLY singer out of american idol to actually go somewhere. she is my absolute fav singer and she is my role model. if you ask me, i think she IS a legend. i dont really care what other people think because thats whats on my mind. without kelly, i dunno what the music world would be like. she is so down to earth and shes not trying to prove anything to anyone.
shes not trying to be like anyone else. the onyl perwons eh ever will be is Kelly clarkson. what i love about her is that if you dont like her, too bad for you. shes always gonna be the same adorable dork!
I WAVE MY HAND!
19 - Paul Roy
Kelly Clarkson is certainly the best of the whole American Idol bunch, and I love her voice, but I seriously doubt I will be reaching for a Kelly Clarkson album 20 years from now like I do with, say, The Beatles, Zeppelin, Elton John, or Stevie Wonder forty years later.
20 - Natalie Davis
Ms./Mr. duckaDarko, how's high school these days?
21 - jo
Let us just revel in the fact that we have music in our lives and the world would be a very different place with out it...we as people are critical and opinionated- why don't we expand that "great energy" of ours elsewhere?
22 - Sandy
I am a 40 year old woman who was a music major in college, so I know a little about music. Kelly is one of the few women in the past 10 years that has caught my attention with her absolutely amazing range and her raw voice. She will indeed improve with time, but she is certainly a singer that I will remain loyal to and buy her records when I am 60+++. I never watched American Idol, so I missed all of that.
Talent like hers is hard to find. I can't wait until she comes into her own. She will be a legend, but there are many legends who don't really deserve that title. Sorry, but no one can deny that Bob Dylan has the worst voice in history and no range whatsoever. His writing skills are decent, but what an overrated performer. He is just popular b/c of what his songs said in the 60's and they spoke to a multitude of people then and now. Give him kudos for writing, not singing.
Also, don't put someone down because they are in high school. I still like a lot of music that I listened to way back then and just because someone is young does not mean they are not entitled to their opinion. Young or old, all opinions should count.
23 - Natalie Davis
Bob Dylan is a legend because of his writing. Check it out.
High-schoolers indeed deserve respect for themselves and for their opinions. Juvenile behavior, however, as typified by,"I WAVE MY HAND!", does not. (Admittedly, neither does my snarky comment.) But it must be noted that Mr./Ms. duckaDarko has his/her facts wrong: Kelly Clarkson is not the only Idol who has "gone somewhere." She may be the most successful so far by most conventional criteria, but that does not mean that Clay Aiken, Tamyra Gray, Kimberly Locke, Josh Gracin, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Bo Bice, and others have not enjoyed post-Idol successes of their own. They have; that is a fact. Even Frenchie Davis won a long gig on the Broadway stage in Rent. And we'll see how new releases from John Stevens and Jasmine Trias are accepted in short order. In short, it is not necessary to slam everyone else in order to heap applause on Clarkson. No one is arguing that she isn't talented and successful, and no one deserves "the hand."
24 - Ron
This proves my point also, a review by Miami Herald about kelly's show the other night singing "why": "She also wrung real feeling out of an old Eurythmics song. Clarkson said she aspires to be like Annie Lennox. Right now, she remains stuck in teen-pop land: She doesn't have anything like Lennox's original, daring style, for one."
If the music "expert" listened, he would know that "Addicted", "Hear me", "you thought wrong", most of her radio hits, and others, blow away anything annie has ever done(i am not counting "sweet dreams" or 2 other Eurythmic songs which are near kelly's level). kelly's concert is a rarity in that her covers of her idols are usually the worse songs on her set-list.
Annie's biggest hit was #3 on pop in 1992, with "walking on broken glass", which i never much cared for. "Why" got to #6 on AC chart in 1992, another who-cares type song. she had 2 other mild hits.
Eurythmics biggest hit was #1 on pop in 1983 w/ "sweet dreams". They had 2 other very good songs, but this is a 22 yr span.
25 - Natalie Davis
Many people would disagree with your view that Clarkson is better than Annie Lennox. And again, the number of chart toppers/hits is meaningless. Too much crap sells millions and too many sonic works of genius go ignored by the masses.