Thankful

by

Kelly Clarkson

Edit

The "pop fluff" accusations are unfounded. Anyone that has dimissed Kelly's album as pure "fluff" has clearly not listened to the entire album. In fact, they probably dismissed it before even listening to the two or three songs that they actually heard. The fact is that for a pop star (ahem, "POP star"... get it? as in an American Idol, or Pop Idol... as in, what that whole contest was about) her CD is quite listenable and enjoyable. Of course it's pop music. What were you expecting? Rock-rap? Country? Opera? Come on, folks. I will admit that I had to listen to the CD a few times to get into it, but like I always say, really good music is not immediately accessible. It's SUPPOSED to take a few times around. Here's my song-by-song analysis:

1. The trouble with love - 4/5 - Nice, soulful song that displays her vocal range.

2. Miss Independent - 2/5 - A HORRIBLE first single. Who makes these decisions anyway? The song itself is ok, even those it operates only on "talk" and "shout." It just doesn't fit here and there are way better songs that could be first singles. There's a reason Christina didn't use this song.

3. Low - 5/5 - One of the best songs. Has a rock-pop edge to it. Very Sheryl Crow. Plus, Kelly just sounds great on this.

4. Some kind of miracle - 3/5 - Not one of Diane Warren's best. But it's decent and it gives Kelly something to sing solidly.

5. What's up lonely - 4/5 - Great R&B-pop song. This is the type of song I was hoping to hear on Kelly's CD. And thankfully, instead of filling the album with songs like this, this is the only one of its kind. (okay, maybe the first song sounds a bit like this)

6. Just missed the train - 4/5 - Another rockier edge. Good tune.

7. Beautiful Disaster - 4/5 - Guitar-driven pop. This song, "low," and "just missed the train" are not songs I would have expected to be on here, but they're great and they're perfect for Kelly.

8. You Thought Wrong - 5/5 - Definitely a pop song, but even this has both rock and r&b influences. Tamyra Gray appears here in a song about a boy that's done two girls wrong. At first I had a problem with the fact that it's hard to distinguish when Tamyra is singing and when Kelly is singing. But the song is so great it doesn't matter. Tamyra sounds great. Very "the boy is mine."

9. Thankful - 4/5 - Although Kelly sounds great on those pop songs with a rock edge, this is the type of song that was made for her to sing. Slower tempo, r&b influenced.

10. Anytime - 5/5 - This should be a single. Because it would go to #1. Another song that's perfect for her, and she's sounds great. Almost a gospel feel to it, but very much staying within its pop powerhouse kind of range.

11 & 12 - A Moment like this & Before your love - both 4/5 - I was going to give these a 3 out of 5 just because I'm so sick of them. The "new mix" isn't much of a mix (people have been expecting dance remixes... come on people, that's ridiculous, they'd never do that). But it's enough of a new mix that her voice can breathe a bit without being locked into that slick oily kind of pop sound. If you didn't like them before, you won't like them now... but if you did, they're still enjoyable.

Although similar, each song has it's own sound. Give it a try. And then another.

I really loved Kelly Clarkson on American Idol, and I couldn't wait until her album. Her debut is somewhat disappointing, but it has some strong points.

The Trouble With Love Is- Listen to the song more than once, and it'll start to grow on you. It's one of the better ballads on this song, considering that there's only three. 4.3/5.0

Miss Independent- First of all, this song has the catchiest chorus I've ever heard. This a really upbeat song, and it was a good choice for Kelly's first single. It really does sound like Christina Aguilera wrote this...I'm not sure if that's good or not. It seems a little pointless to repeat the song 3 times though. 4.6/5.0

Low- This is a nice song, it's sort of popish/rockish, and it shows off Kelly's great voice. 4.7/5.0

Some Kind Of Miracle- I hate this song so much, it's just very bland and boring and is a waste of Kelly's talent. It sounds just like another one of those Diane Warren-penned failed ballads. 3.2/5.0

What's Up Lonely- This is the kind of song that makes me want to feel embarrassed. It's just a really poppy song, but there's nothing special about it. 3.8/5.0

Just Missed The Train- This is my favorite song on Kelly's album. I love the way she sings the line "'Cause I remember crying in the park, it was getting dark suddenly, I looked up, you were my sky." It's just a great display of Kelly's great voice, and if I were her, I'd use it as one of her singles. 5.0/5.0

Beautiful Disaster- This song is OK, nothing special. 4.1/5.0

You Thought Wrong- I loved Tamyra Gray on American Idol and I thought she should have made the final two, if not, won the competition. This song is really funky and upbeat, and it works for Tamyra and Kelly. I'm glad that Kelly had some say in the writing of this song. 4.8/5.0

Thankful- This is another song that has to grow on you. It's alright. 4.4/5.0

Anytime- This is the best ballad on the album. It shows off Kelly's range really well. My only complaint is that the background singers drown out Kelly's wonderful voice a little. 4.9/5.0

A Moment Like This-

Before Your Love- Honestly, I don't really see the difference between these "new mixes" and her singles. They're both great songs, though. 4.5/5.0

I think Kelly has a great voice, but this album is just too overproduced and generic, especially in songs like "Some Kind of Miracle" and "What's Up Lonely". I really hope Kelly's sophomore album is more useful of her great voice.