In her latest chart-topping hit, Kelly Clarkson sings, "Cuz we belong together now, forever united here somehow, you've got a piece of me, and honestly, my life would suck without you".
While she claims the song is about a boyfriend, the lyrics seemed to be aimed at her pop-loving fans, who she scorned in 2007 with her gloomy, hitless album My December. They responded accordingly, staying home while Miley Cyrus flooded the stores opening week. One week later, her album came entered the charts at #2, behind the Hannah Montana soundtrack.
Clarkson clearly realized her error. The first American Idol winner teamed up some of pop music's best producers to deliver a huge mea culpa to the public. The result is All I Ever Wanted, a welcome return to the powerpop that transformed Kelly from reality TV star into formidable pop princess.
Kelly's return to pop was primarily aided by Max Martin and Dr. Luke, the producers that helped make her sophomore effort Breakaway a juggernaut at Top 40 radio. Also on the bill are Ryan Tedder, the mastermind behind 2007's most inescapable song "Apologize", and Howard Benson, producer of fellow Idol alum Chris Daughtry's debut.
The A-list production definitely paid off; All I Ever Wanted is filled with great pop songs that will put Clarkson back on radio's coveted playlists. Lead single "My Life Would Suck Without You" is a fun and feisty track, even if may sound a bit like her smash hit "Since U Been Gone". The familiarity is balanced by a new, positive take on relationships; instead of wanting him to burn, she admits that "they belong together". Continuing in that vein is "If I Can't Have You", a hard buzzing track about refusing to give up on her relationship. It's not completely lovey-dovey though; "Don't Let Me Stop You" is a powerful kiss-off to an uninterested boyfriend.
Even with her edge, Kelly is definitely more nuturing on this album. Second single "I Do Not Hook Up", which was co-penned by new Idol judge Kara DioGuardi, shows that she is willing to support her broken-hearted friend, but she isn't going to accept a one night stand. She plays the hero again for the spectacular Tedder-produced power ballad "Save You". The final track, "If No One Will Listen" beautifully details the importance of helping someone trapped in turmoil. The song is her most moving since "Because of You" and showcases the powerful pipes that captivated the nation seven years ago.
That winning voice is never put to waste. Whether she's sorrowful and anguished on ballads like "Already Gone" and "Cry", or playful and flirty on uptempo bubblegum like "I Want You" and "Long Shot", she goes full throttle on the vocals, sounding energized and genuinely happy.
As great as the album is, its not without its filler. "Whyyawannabringmedown" is a screeching rock mess, even if has the best lyric on the album ("I'm not your love monkey"). Title track "All I Ever Wanted" and "Impossible" aren't very remarkable mid-tempos, even if the latter boast some interesting, synth-boosted sounds. "Ready" is simply forgettable. However, even they are still pretty good when compared to some of her radio competitors.
It is clear that she has learned from the mistake of My December. Instead of rebelling against her label, she worked with their needs, cultivating her best record in years.
Welcome back Kelly.
RATING: 8/10
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