My Life Would Suck Without This Album (All I Ever Wanted - Kelly Clarkson)

Member Name: GramiWay

Product:	All I Ever Wanted - Kelly Clarkson
Date:	30/04/09 (166 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great songwriting and production, soaring vocals

Disadvantages: The awful track 9

Reality TV show winners bug the hell out of me! It's very rarely that one makes a lasting impression before they're nothing but a mere memory in the public conscience. However, Kelly Clarkson has continued to grow stronger and stronger since her 2002 win on the first season of American Idol.

Despite poor mainstream success with her 3rd studio album 'My December', the record was praised by both critics and fans alike. 'All I Ever Wanted' is a return to the pop-rock mainstream sound of her international smash record 'Breakaway' but still shows strength and progression. Clarkson is an amazing singer and chooses not to throw out warbling ballads but to create music that is fun and deep all at once.

It was with great anticipation that I listened to 'All I Ever Wanted' for the first time so here is a brief outline of my opinions on each of its tracks:


01 - My Life Would Suck Without You
Produced by Dr Luke who was responsible for Clarkson's 'Since U Been Gone' and hits from Avril Lavigne and Katy Perry amongst others 'My Life Would Suck Without You' is the perfect mainstream ditty. Sounding like a more electro charged version of 'Since U Been Gone' itself, the song is uplifting and catchy with blinding hooks and just manages to crawl inside your head and make you want to bop. It's Clarkson on fine form and sets the tone for the rest of the record. Easily the best track here.

02 - I Do Not Hook Up
The album's second single and previously recorded and written by Katy Perry. The song again delivers those hypnotic guitar rifts and Clarkson's vocal has a desperate edge to it. It's strange to hear her being so cheerful. The song does sound like a more watered down version of the previous track but that is by no means a bad thing.

03 - Cry
In my own personal opinion 'Cry' is flawless from start to finish. The emotion and depth of Clarkson's vocals set against the urgent and haunting melody make this one of the album's standouts. Clarkson knows pain and angst and she lets rip on this song.

04 - Don't Let Me Stop You
This song has a catchy chorus and is likeable enough not to make you skip it on a repeated listen. However, it just seems to lack something that grabs at you and really makes it stand out from the rest of the CD.

05 - All I Ever Wanted
The album's title track is a powerful rock stormer that starts off rather slow and laid back but sees Clarkson letting loose on the chorus. It's hard not to have the tune to this stuck in your head after listening as it not only provides another great song but also showcases Clarkson's vocals again.

06 - Already Gone
Many people have compared this to a rockier version of Beyonce's 'Halo'. Maybe due to the fact that OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder co-wrote and produced both tracks... 'Already Gone' inches ahead of 'Halo' however with the strength of Clarkson's vocals shining through and the haunting, breathless melody that seems to captivate you fro mthe offset. Whilst I am quite partial to 'Halo', Clarkson definately handles this song with more emotion...

07 - If I Can't Have You
Produced by Ryan Tedder again the thudding and hypnotic rhythm of this track takes over. The chorus is almost robotic and gives us seven amazing tracks in a row. It's hard to describe until you actually listen to the song but it just washes over you leaving a trail of energetic urgence in its wake.

08 - Save You
Another ballad that isn't as good as 'Cry' but is still pleasent enough to listen to. The build up to the climax of the song does seem rather limp and uninspired in parts but its still another strong effort.

09 - Whyyawannabringmedown
Well a solid record is ruined by the inclusion of this song. It sounds like something you'd hear in a barn, its gritty but boring, too fast but not fast enough. Clarkson sounds horrible as if she's struggling to get the words out and the whole thing just collapses into a painful mess to the ears.

10 - Long Shot
Again like most of this record this doesn't scream 'mainstream hit' potential but its consistant at providing strong and deep lyrics and a rather catchy chorus that just sees Clarkson on a roll.

11 - Impossible
There's a very dark and distinct sound to this record. It's about as gothic as Kelly Clarkson is ever gonna get anyway. At times it feels like she drags out some of the notes a bit too long and it ruins the track in this instance anyway. It's still very gritty whilst maintaining a fresh pop undertone.

12 - Ready
A corny country themed ballad comes into mind when hearing this track. It's not awful but it's not good. It bounces along quite pleasantly but it just fails to sink in.

13 - I Want You
There's a very innocent sound to this song and hints of bubblegum pop but the perfect string arrangement and the infectious hand clapping melody definately make it one of the album's strong points.

14 - If No One Will Listen
This song is another opportunity for Clarkson to show off her stunning vocals. Whilst the track is nice on the ears its a rather dull ending to an album that is packed with storming pop-rock fueled hits.


Depending if you purchase the deluxe edition or not you are treated to two extra tracks 'Tip Of My Tongue' and 'The Day We Fell Apart'. Even if not 14 tracks is still pretty decent considering how stingy artists tend to be these days by keeping fans waiting for years and having just 11 tracks on their comeback CD...

There is really only 1 bad track here - the rest may not be brilliant but they're definately not skip worthy on your ipod or such. The album shows that Clarkson is still miles ahead of the likes of Katy Perry and Avril Lavigne to whom she is frequently compared. Whilst 'All I Ever Wanted' lacks the large number of big mainstream singles 'Breakaway' offered it is still a confident and mature effort that shows not only strong and meaningful lyrics but Clarkson's perfect vocals. A lot of the tracks here are easy to relate to for the audience and with a wide variety of different genres explored it is easily Kelly's most diverse record to date. I would thoroughly reccomend checking it out as there really is something for everyone.

Summary: The 4th album from American Idol songstress Kelly Clarkson