Kelly Clarkson “All I Ever Wanted” Out Today – Review

Kelly Clarkson’s new album “All I Ever Wanted” will be released today but you can listen to it over on AOL for a limited time.  I know a lot of us have already heard most or all of the songs but I like doing album reviews so why not?  Before I even begin, this album is about as commercially pop as anything is ever going to get which is a good and a bad thing.  It’s sad because Kelly clearly wanted to break away (no pun intended) and have an edgier sound and existence but her fans weren’t ready to make that leap with her so, here she is, trying to make amends by releasing an album that sounds like the Kelly Clarkson we all voted for on American Idol.  The saving grace is that most of the songs are actually pretty good.  Here’s a breakdown of my impressions.

1. “My Life Would Suck Without You” is the first release from the album and it’s not too vocally challenging but we already know what Kelly can do so it’s okay.  It’s easy to sing along to which is always a good idea when you’re launching a mini-comeback.

2. “I Do Not Hook Up” is uhhh… I guess the above comments could also work for this song although I find the chorus melody and structure on this song a little more interesting than “My Life Would Suck Without You.”  It was co-written by Katy Perry (“I Kissed a Girl” “Hot and Cold”) and Idol judge, Kara DioGuardi.

3. “Cry” is the first ballad on the album.  There are a couple surprises in the chords but there is something about it that reminds me of Creed’s “With Arms Wide Open.”  At least she gets to stretch her vocals a little bit.

4. “Don’t Let Me Stop You” reminds me of something so much and I just cannot put my fingers on it (maybe Third Eye Blind’s “Jumper?”). Help me out please!  Anyway, the lyrics are a little clunky at times to sing. 

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5. “All I Ever Wanted” has a slightly different feel than the songs before it.  It’s got fewer bells and whistles so, at times, it might seem a little bare but that’s what I like about it.  The lead and background vocals take center stage which is a night change from the beat driven pop music on the earlier tracks.

6. “Already Gone” is a slower/mid-tempo song where Kelly almost seems to channel Canadian singer, Sarah McLachlan, at times.  I actually really like this song.

7. “If I Can’t Have You” brings us back to the modern pop era with a beat that sounds like it would make Rihanna and Britney Spears proud.  I can see this song doing okay as a remix in clubs but I don’t particularly like it.

8. “Save You” offers a little tenderness and warmth and, after that last song, I was really grateful.  I really liked how little music was used in the beginning of the song and I actually wish they had kept it more like that since the heavy drums that came in later almost felt like an intrusion.  Still, the vocals are pretty, the lyrics are nice and I felt a connection between Kelly and the song which was nice.  You may not believe me, but I had forgotten that OneRepublic frontman, Ryan Tedder, had worked on the album and, when I heard this song, I thought “wow, this reminds me of “Apologize.”  A quick trip to Wikipedia reminded me that he co-wrote and produced the song (and several others).

9. “Whyyawannabringmedown” is annoying to me.  I didn’t even finish listening to it.  Sorry if you love it.  I did not.  It reminded me of the White Stripes, who I adore, but it didn’t come close to being of their quality.

10. “Long Shot” has one of the most predictable chord progressions on the album but I actually liked it more as the song continued to play.  It’s not musical genius but it’s a decent single.  Katy Perry also co-wrote this song.

11. “Impossible” has some really cute piano work on it which I like in a modern song because I think it balances out the heavy drums, keyboards and guitar.  I didn’t hate the song but I didn’t exactly love it. 

12. “Ready” is a fun little song and I don’t know why but it makes me think of taking a walk in the middle of fall with the leaves all around me.  Kelly takes some liberties with the tone of her voice and I think it works.  She sounds a little quirkier than she normally does and, like I said, the end result is fun.

13. “I Want You” confused me.  I didn’t know what to think.  It felt like it wanted to be modern while still sounding like something from the 50s or 60s and I just didn’t like it.  It’s very basic and simplistic but maybe that was the objective?

14. “If No One Will Listen” is another ballad and I thought it was pretty good.  Kelly allows herself to have more vibrato than she normally does (maybe because this is the only song on the album that she produced herself?) and I’m not sure I liked how it sounded but the song, itself, was nice.  The lyrics were probably pretty meaningful to her after her experience this past couple years so I hope producing the track was therapeutic.

That sums up my little review.  If you’re looking for the reinvention of Kelly Clarkson, you’ll be disappointed but fans will probably more than happy with the pop-infused tunes. 

image: Amazon.com