Music Reviews
Album Review: Kelly Clarkson – ‘My December’
By Jeff Swindoll Jul 10, 2007, 18:38 GMT
Judging by the themes of anger and betrayal that dominate Kelly Clarkson\'s third disc, My December, perhaps \'Jagged Little Idol\' would have been a more telling title. According to interviews, the massively successful artist wanted more creative control with her music going forward; as a result, unlike her previous CDs, Clarkson contributes as a songwriter on every track. The final product is not nearly as catchy as Breakaway, but is ...more
I don’t watch American Idol but even I happen to know that Kelly Clarkson won during the first season of American Idol. Her latest album is one that was not easy to miss in the media, as there was a lot of controversy surrounding it.
As the story goes, Clive Davis, the head of Sony-BMG, was unhappy with the album and wanted changes made or even were considering scrapping the album. Clarkson refused to make any changes and it was obvious that she and Davis were having hard times and eventually even fired her manager (it’s somewhat amusing to read her thank you to him in the liner notes considering how things turned out).
I guess people were eagerly anticipating hearing the album to hear whatever it was that put Davis off. I’ll have to say I don’t know that Davis heard. Sure the songs are a bit somber and deal with some heady issues, but if that’s the way that Clarkson wanted to go then why stop her?
Supposedly Davis didn’t feel that some of the songs were “radio friendly” and too dark. Personally, I don’t have a very good opinion of “radio friendly” since it shuts out some extremely good artists (just read a story in Newsweek about the 80-year-old Grand Ole Opry legend Porter Waggoner’s new album not getting any airplay. I also remember the ad that Johnny Cash put out when he won the Grammy “thanking” the radio stations [he was flipping them the bird].
Many of these elder statesmen (or women) are having to go to indie labels since the big labels won’t touch them – shame on them.) I think that an artist should be given the creative freedom to do what they want with their work and corporations be damned. If it tanks then the artist can try something else.
That being rambled, I actually liked Clarkson’s album but should disclose that it was the first one I’ve listened to. Stick around past the final track and you’ll find a bonus track. I say let Clarkson do what she wants to. I think she did fine with this one.
‘My December’ is now available at Amazon. Visit the music database for more information.
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Older Talkback
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What amuses me is that Clive Davis is as old as Porter Waggoner, so he'd get about as much radio play as Porter is getting now ;).
BTW, Apologies to Porter I keep putting an extra G in his last name. Should be Wagoner.
Clive Davis is tried and proven.
She will pay dearly for her most recent and previous negativity.
Has she forgotten that Clive (and the label courtesy of Clive) 'Made' her......
Her so called 'gut' along with tens of millions of dollars from RCA and Clive's expertise are the reason anyone has even heard of her.
This new generation has a thing about thinking they've created the wheel...
Being a Record Producer myself, I've worked with quite a few writers, artists, etc. that just don't get it until they're dumped.
Watch the slowwwwwww burnnnnnnnn.
Mark my words.
greenbergsilverman.com
You may be right, read a story today that the album is not living up to sales and Clive is vindicated. Que sera sera, I still liked the disc. ;)
When Kelly Clarkson was doing it 'her way' she was a struggling artist in Texas, a nobody. Once the 'right people' started working with her she found fame. I think it is admirable that Kelly wants to write her own music. I have been a songwriter and musician for my entire adult life and have fought for my views on many songs.
With the quality of this album and the 'fact' that sales are not where she would expect them, I think she needs to look at other artists that are very successful without writing their own tunes. Her new mentor, Reba, has sung many songs that she didn't write. With this in mind, she needs to humble out a little and think about her career. The opportunity is here for Kelly to be a one-hit or one-album wonder and with her voice, that would be a shame.
I don't think it's fair to say that Clive 'made' Kelly.
Clive, and every other radio label had their chance to discover her in when she was sending out demos and cover shots in LA before Idol. In today's screwed up, image conscious, video driven, 'music' industry, Kelly didn't have a chance of getting signed to a major label. She was told she needed to lose weight and overhaul her image before anyone would take her seriously enough to give her a shot.
I like parts of the new album, although it isn't as polished as it could be. I don't think she's going anywhere though. This is just a bump in her career - she'll be around for a long time.
Mark my words wat r u a pirate or sumthing.....
Kelly Clarkson is lucky she's a good singer other wise she'd get ragged on..... Mark my words argh!!!
(loser)
i founnd it really disappointing. I loved Breakaway, but this new one is not even close. I wasn't really into Never Again and with most of the tracks on there you would just skip. How I Feel and One Minute are probably the best tracks on it.
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VinceJul 10th, 2007 - 23:57:24
i really liked this review. It was well said. I really do agree with you. I loved the album!!!
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