Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Album Review: Kelly Clarkson's Stronger

Mode of distraction: Listening to Stronger on repeat. 
Distracting me from: Life.

 
Kelly Clarkson settles us into her fifth studio album, Stronger, by sassing and spitting the verses to mid-tempo grower "Mr. Know It All." Her delivery transitions from bratty and indignant to full and secure as she enters the chorus, substituting a rock-ish tinge for a more soulful, full tone.

That vocal transition can act as a microcosm for the entire album. Clarkson's pop/rock pseudo roots are integrated with her Aretha-obsessed American Idol roots to create a more soulful, more R&B-leaning sound. The album is also far more up-tempo (with welcomed bursts of 80s glory) than her previous albums, featuring only two true ballads on the standard edition of the album. It's a sonic progression that rivals the transition from Thankful to Breakaway, highlighted by a vocal strength that comes from her ever-improving instrument (the best in the mainstream pop landscape) and the producers letting that instrument actually shine and come to life.

And it does. In the midst of a largely cohesive production quality (remarkable considering the varied--and occasionally unproven in the top 40 landscape--producers attached to the record), Clarkson tells a variety of stories with her voice. She's settled and above it all in "Mr. Know It All" and the slow-jam "The War Is Over"; vulnerable and pleading in "Dark Side" and "Honestly" (the album's highlights are, unsurprisingly, amongst the darkest offerings); feisty and powerful in "What Doesn't Kill You," "Einstein," and "Don't Be A Girl About It" (ignore the dumb-ass "dumb + dumb = you" line  and potential sexist implications in the latter two, respectively, and give in to the excellent melodies and production); warm and open in "Standing In Front Of You"; yearning and tired in the beautiful standard edition closer "Breaking Your Own Heart"; and full of almost-30 cynicism and bite in "Let Me Down" and especially "You Can't Win," a lyrical highlight that Clarkson wrote herself.

Instead of seeming schizophrenic, the album feels very of-the-moment for Clarkson, a stark contrast to her previous album, All I Ever Wanted, a recipe book for what was on the charts as the album was being developed (not, sadly, when it came out--but such is the nature of radio baiting). There's a handful of hits to be found here, but the album doesn't feel designed for radio--it feels designed for Clarkson (whether she had a hand in writing the song or not). That might not make for the commercial success of Katy Perry's Teenage Dream or Clarkson's own Breakaway, but it does make for a great album. Even the most derivative track, "I Forgive You," reads at the very least as a cute and fitting sequel to her monster hit "Since U Been Gone."

It only takes a few listens of Stronger to realize she's ditched being hurt by and bitching about Mr. Wrong and is simply taking on all things wrong--label executives, friends, family, the media, and, yes, a foolish ex or two--in the name of new-found strength, empowerment, and experience. That expanded point of view is a welcome relief from our Breakup Queen, and reads genuine coming from someone who's fought against the pitfalls of the Idol machine since the beginning. She's older, wiser, and stronger--and now she has a new best album to boot. One that (finally) shows that growth in sound, experience, and vocal ability we've seen from Clarkson in person for years. 

Favorite Five:
  1. "Honestly"- A haunting, wailing track that begs for the truth at any cost with Clarkson's most evocative studio vocals to date.
  2. "Dark Side"- A creepy-yet-dance-y plea for a lover to accept all sides of her.
  3. "You Can't Win"- In throwing back every jab ever thrown at her, Clarkson makes an intensely personal song utterly universal. And a lot of fun.
  4. "What Doesn't Kill You (Stronger)"- New gay anthem! *jams*
  5. "Breaking Your Own Heart" - A drained warning to someone she still believes in, but not for long. An emotional high point of the album.

Grade: A


 

2 comments:

  1. AWESOME review! (Dark Side = SO good. I'm in love.)

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  2. Good review. Honestly not a fan of KC, but I heard (Stronger) and really liked the melody and her voice.

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