Music Reviews : Kelly Clarkson breaks out with Breakaway
Posted by Tiffany N. D'Emidio on 2005/4/28 20:20:00
I recently sat down to listen to the new Kelly Clarkson CD Breakaway. Now you have to understand, I think shes a very talented singer but Im not a fan of American Idol. The show makes my skin crawl. I cant stand the judges and most of the kids on the show are lounge singers at best. That being said, I decided to check out her CD and try to be the objective reviewer that I usually am.
Her first album didnt really do anything for me so when I popped in Breakaway and loved it from the get go I can tell you I was shocked. Since Youve Been Gone and title track Breakaway are the hot radio tracks right now and in my opinion are two of the best songs on the album. Clarkson definitely takes a step away from the Idol version she broke onto the music scene with.
Though Miss Independent was a strong song right out the gate on her first album, Thankful, it seemed like she was playing a part created by her Idol benefactors. I was pleasantly surprised to find style, substance, and personality in Clarksons latest CD. With such a drastic change from her first album, its clear Kelly is struggling to find herself musically and stylistically but is definitely on the right track with her rock twist.
I dont think we need to label her style one way or the other and hate it when the media or industry flunkies try to pigeon-hold an artist as this or that type of artist packaged in a nice little box with a big red bow. Its like thinking people only want to eat vanilla ice cream. Now I love vanilla ice cream but I also like chocolate and Cherry Garcia. Its called variety, which is suppose to be the spice of life. The labels seem to feel this compulsion to fill holes as quickly as possible. When one artist is on the way out or his popularity is slipping the label is right there filling the gap with someone who resembles the previous artist as to not disturb the flow of money pouring in.
Ok back to the artist. If you need a rock fix a few notable tracks are Walk Away and Gone. But if youre looking for something a little more melodic try the Live version of Beautiful Disaster and Where Is Your Heart.
Grade: B+
By Tiffany N. D'Emidio
