Album Review

Kelly Clarkson – All I Ever Wanted

• 20th Mar 2009

American Idol alumna, Kelly Clarkson, has been notably absent from the charts since her not-so-successful album, My December, was released in 2007.

After controversially splitting from her management and cancelling her American tour just two weeks before My December’s street date, Clarkson pretty much fell off the face of the music world. Now, two years later, she’s returned with her new album ‘All I Ever Wanted’ and is refreshed, energetic and still sticking to those instincts that caused all that trouble for her in 2007.

Her first single, ‘My Life Would Suck Without You’, was released in January of this year and proved Clarkson was entirely right to stick to her instincts. The song made the biggest leap ever in the US charts, vaulting from 97th place to the number one position. It also earned her her first number one spot in the UK charts. The single opens with a similar upbeat, guitar-laden introduction to that of her worldwide smash hit, ‘Since U Been Gone’. It is a pop-rock track through and through which has been Clarkson’s forte since first appearing on Idol back in 2002. We are also re-introduced to her explosive vocal talent in this track.

Rolling steadily onwards, we have the first of two songs co-written by Katy Perry. ‘I Do Not Hook Up’ is a catchy tune with an impressive chorus that is perfectly suited to Clarkson’s distinctive, husky voice. It has been confirmed as her next single, due out in April, and is definitely worthy of the honour.

Never straying too far from what she’s good at, the album’s title track opens with an attention-grabbing guitar solo and a thumping electro beat and, from there, the rest of the song doesn’t disappoint. The chorus is easy to pick up and is guaranteed to be stuck in your head for the rest of the day.

‘Cry’ is a truly beautiful ballad that comes as a welcome surprise amongst the more head-banging pop-rock tracks of the album. Co-written by Clarkson, the song tells the story of a break-up and the heartbreak that follows. Clarkson displays a powerful, and possibly unexpected, vocal range with many glass-shatteringly high note moments.

Despite Clarkson hitting the nail on the head with most of the tracks on this album, there are a few near-misses and a few worth-missing. She collaborated with One Republic front man Ryan Tedder on a number of songs and, only one, ‘Impossible’, is in anyway promising. The others, like ‘Save You’, seem to be too weak for Clarkson’s voice and don’t showcase it to its full potential.

All I Ever Wanted is, overall, the perfect comeback album. It is immaculately produced and provides something for everyone. Clarkson’s vocals are on top form and she sticks to what she knows works.

Though there are a few decidedly questionable tracks, the good far outweighs the bad and proves that Kelly Clarkson is back with a bang and better than ever.