Kelly Clarkson Vs. Clive Davis: "My December"

After the literal breakout success of 2005’s “Breakaway,” the pressure to deliver an equally successful follow-up was on for Kelly Clarkson. Most people crack under the pressure and deliver a watered down version of their past success, but that is not the case with Clarkson’s third LP “My December.” I will not follow the hype of the press or the label executives and call this album a disaster. In fact, this album is far from it and is actually an improvement over the cookie-cutter, ready made pop tunes of her last album. After listening to the first 5 tracks, I couldn’t believe the storm of negative energy that has fanned over this project. I guess the results of bad mouthing a powerful, egotistical label executive past his prime are clear. It turns out that even a man well into his 70’s can be as immature as a catholic school girl, by bad mouthing his artists, publicly disregarding an artists success (as shown at the 2007 American Idol finale) and showing no support for an artist that had one of the biggest albums on his label in years. At any rate, Kelly more than delivers an amazing album, exploring a more adventures side and turning up the rock level a few more notches, while still maintaining that unmistakable pop quality of a hit song. After listening to the lyrics, you will discover Kelly needed to write this album as is. Her emotions of hurt and pain resonate on many of the tracks, where Kelly examines past relationships, friendships, a broken heart and tackles some self reflection. "Maybe" is Kelly examining her life and love from a unperfect, confused point of view and could possibly become a theme song for every 20-something female in America. Standout ballads like “Sober” and “Be Still” demonstrate the somber and reflective quality in Kelly’s voice, while still showing off her range of emotions as a vocalist and songwriter. Standout tracks like “How I feel” and “Hole” are just as catchy and pop radio friendly as “Since You Been Gone” and “Behind These Hazel Eyes” and should have been the first and second singles from the album. This album may not have as many sing-a-long hooks as “Breakaway” but it has better content, vocals, artistic integrity and some amazing songs. I hope that consumers look beyond the negative influences from the media and even record executives and give the album a chance. It’s not perfect or as clean and sparkly as “Breakaway,” but it’s the direction Kelly wanted to go in and I applaud her for that alone. I applaud her even more for taking a chance, following her gut and coming up with some worthwhile results. I hope for more creativity and artistic freedom in the music industry. Perhaps we could come up with some variety instead of everyone following the same formula for success at the manufactured pop star factory? Remember guys, there is more than 1 way to skin a cat.