The original American Idol (Breakaway - Kelly Clarkson)

Member Name: dippykitty

Product:	Breakaway - Kelly Clarkson
Date:	08/02/09 (27 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great up-tempo pop-rock tracks

Disadvantages: A couple of weaker tracks

This is the second album from Kelly Clarkson (the first ever American Idol winner), and her first album to really take off in the UK. I bought this album several years ago, and it is still one of the most played albums on my iPod.

1. Breakaway

The album's title track was never officially released as a single in the UK, but it is one of my favourite tracks. Lyrically, it describes leaving behind your home town but never forgetting it and the people who live there. It is a mid-tempo song which isn't as rocky as most of Kelly's single releases. As it is more laid-back, you can really hear and feel the emotion in the lyrics.

2. Since You Been Gone

This is probably one of the most recognisable tracks from the album, as it was one of the single releases and got a lot of radio airplay. It is classic pop-rock with some pretty angry lyrics that are obviously directed at an ex-love who is no longer around to hold her back. For me, this is the type of track Kelly does best.

3. Behind These Hazel Eyes

This was another of the UK single releases, although this track didn't get quite as much airplay as "Since You've Been Gone". While I would still class it as a pop-rock track, it is different to "Since You've Been Gone", although the same angst can be heard in the lyrics and the chorus in both songs is quite similar.

4. Because Of You

This was the third single release from the albim in the UK, and it showed a different side to Kelly's vocals. This is an emotional ballad that demonstrates both her powerful voice and the emotion within it. It is a refreshing change from the two tracks that come before it on the tracklisting.

5. Gone

The tempo of this track is quite staccato and it moves the album back into pop-rock territory again. It is an upbeat track but I do feel that it has a bit of a different sound to "Since You've Been Gone" and "Behind These Hazel Eyes" and isn't just a slightly different reworking of these.

6. Addicted

This track slows things back down again a bit as it is quite an emotional ballad during the verses. However, the chorus is more rocky and has pretty heavy guitar backing.

7. Where Is Your Heart

This is quite a slow and heartfelt track that demonstrates Kelly's vocals and the emotion in her voice. Although it is a nice song, it is one of the tracks that I tend to skip as I prefer Kelly at her rocky best.

8. Walk Away

This track is actually more upbeat in the verses than during the chorus, which is quite different from most of Kelly's more pop-rock tracks on this album.

9. You Found Me

From the slow opening verse, this track sounds as though it will be another ballad, but it starts to kick in during the chorus and becomes more rocky.

10. I Hate Myself For Losing You

The song title hints at a ballad, but this is actually quite a rocky track that is mid-tempo in the verses and a bit more up-tempo in the chorus. Although I usually like Kelly singing these kind of rocky tracks, I'm not a big fan of this track and will probably skip past it more often than not.

11. Hear Me

This is another of the album's slower tracks. Unlike some of the less upbeat tracks on the album, it doesn't really kick in during the chorus so it is more of a traditional ballad.

12. Beautiful Disaster (Live)

This is one of my favourite tracks on the album. As it was recorded live, it is a perfect showcase of Kelly's voice. I love the tone of her voice on this song and the heartfelt lyrics.

My copy of the album doesn't actually have these tracks on it, but I am going to review them anyway (after finding the second bonus track on Youtube) for those whose copy does have them.

13. Miss Independent (Bonus Track)

In the UK, this was the first track that really brought Kelly into the spotlight, and it is still one of my favourite tracks of hers overall. It is quite upbeat and more than a bit pop-rocky until nearer the end of the track, when it slows down a little and Kelly displays the higher range of her voice for a verse. This is a nice touch as it breaks the edginess of the song.

14. Low (Bonus Track)

This track is what I would call mid-tempo. It is quite an emotional track, but not in the same way as some of the other slow(er) tracks on the album. I really like this, and am disappointed that my copy didn't have this as a bonus track as I prefer it to some of the other tracks!

Overall, I would recommend this album as it is full of good songs. If you liked "Since You Been Gone" and "Behind These Hazel Eyes", there are some similar songs such as "Gone" and "Walk Away". There is also a nice mixture between the up-tempo tracks and the slightly slower tracks. Lyrically, it is a good album for anyone who has experienced some recent heartbreak as many of the tracks address this or are based around it.

Summary: Great album from the original American Idol