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My December (Deluxe Version)

Kelly Clarkson

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iTunes Review

My December picks up where Breakaway left off, further proving that Kelly Clarkson is more comfortable being the take-charge frontwoman of a screaming rock band than she is with the crooning R&B of American Idol. “Never Again,” “One Minute,” and “Don’t Waste Your Time” make you want to jump in the driver’s seat and crank the radio to top volume. Rather than look to the clichéd influences of American Idol, Clarkson takes her inspiration from rock hits from the recent past. “Hole” has a careening stomp that lets her imagine she's fronting Nirvana, while the martial, horn-inflected beat of “Yeah” shares something with Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer.” Even as she continues to rock out, the album shows huge growth in her songwriting. Clarkson has stated that My December was influenced by Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill, and tracks like “Sober” and “Haunted” delve into the pain and discontent that most pop stars avoid like the plague. Her label initially refused to release the album because they deemed it “too negative,” but Clarkson stuck by her guns, thereby affirming the candor and self-assurance that sparks so many of these songs.

Customer Reviews

Her best yet?

When you sit down to listen to My December, make sure you have a good hour to savor the album. The album is best slowly processed and listened to straight through. My December, once you get down to it, is indeed a fantastic album. It has the “Since U Been Gone”-like tracks, (“Don‘t Waste Your Time” “Judas” “Not Today”) beautiful ballads (“Sober” “Irvine”), some country and R&B infused tracks, (“Yeah” “Can I Have A Kiss” and “Be Still”) and some ‘funk’ rock tracks. (“Hole” “Dirty Little Secret”) Surprisingly, the album doesn’t come off as unfocused, a collection of different songs, but rather a ride through the ups and downs of Clarkson’s life. Of course, in any Kelly Clarkson discussion these days, her stellar sophomore effort, Breakaway must be mentioned. But you can bury your worry somewhere else--My December meets and exceeds the expectations set with Breakaway’s Grammy-winning run. Though My December is indeed, very different, the elements that made Breakaway a success are only deepened in the new release. I chose not to rate the songs because with this album everyone has their own favorites and least favorites. 1 Never Again - Never Again is one of the three true break-up songs on the album, and the most rage-filled of them all. Filled with bitter lyrics about an ex-lover and his ‘trophy wife’ and an in-your-face hook, it starts the album’s story from the beginning, over two years ago, after Clarkson’s breakup with a former member of the band Evanescence. 2 One Minute - This pop rock track also sets the tone of the record with it’s message of going through the ups and downs of life in the matter of ‘one minute.’ Perhaps the most pop track on the album, it’s a real crowd pleaser for lovers of “Since U Been Gone” style pop. 3 Hole - Probably the most rock track on the record, Hole is filled with guitar riffs and strong rough-around-the-edges vocals. 4 Sober - One of the strongest tracks, Sober is a beautiful track highlighted with superb vocals and its message of moving on from an addiction of any sort. It builds to a stunning climax throughout the song then slows down as Clarkson delivers the final lines “Three months and I’m still sober, Picked all my weeds but kept the flowers.” 5 Don’t Waste Your Time - One of the other break up songs, a fun pop rock track with a message to an ex-boyfriend. “Don’t waste your time on me my friend, friend, what does that even mean? I don’t your hand, you’ll only pull me down.” 6 Judas - A fast paced song Clarkson describes as “almost like a rave.” The subject matter? You guessed it, a betrayal by a trusted friend. Since U Been Gone fans delight again. 7 Haunted - One of the so-called “leftovers” from Breakaway, Haunted tells the story of the aftermath of a friend’s suicide from the feelings of anger to grief and betrayal. Those who liked Addicted and Hear Me from the sophomore release will love Haunted. 8 Be Still - Some might find Be Still surprising, as it is more reminiscent of Thankful, Clarkson’s 2003 debut album, than the other tracks on My December or those of Breakaway. But Be Still serves as a wonderful and refreshing ballad of hope. Clarkson slows it down, and it pays off. “You don’t have to be brave, Every time we fall down, But we’re falling from grace, I’ll gladly climb your walls if you’ll meet me halfway.” 9 Maybe - Though it may seem like Maybe is another ballad of the hopeful lover along the same lines as Be Still, Clarkson insists it is indeed just an introspective look at herself. Halfway through the song, it explodes into “I’m confusing as hell, yeah I’m north and south” before coming down to a piano-backed ending of a brilliant song. 10 How I Feel - Perhaps the best pop rock track, How I Feel recalls the sound of No Doubt and Clarkson shows off yet another side of her voice. How I Feel is a spiteful song ranting about other people’s perfect lives filled with babies and trophy wives while Clarkson moans, “At this rate, I’m gonna end up alone and it’s all my fault, all my fault.” 11 Yeah - Yeah is what Clarkson calls “Chaka Khan/Prince” influenced. It’s a surprising sound from her, as it blends R&B and country with Clarkson’s familiar pop rock. A very playful plea to a lover. “Help me help yourself, I want to give it all to you but don’t make me second guess, I don’t want to play games no more” 12 Can I Have A Kiss - Another semi-country inspired song, Clarkson’s vocals soar once again on Can I Have A Kiss. The title may make it sound like a cheesy pop song, but you’ll be glad to find a very pleasing track in which Clarkson reflects to her lover “I tried to warn you, I’ve been a mess since you’ve known me, I can’t promise forever, But I’m working on it.” 13 Irvine - The most artistic track Clarkson has ever done, Irvine is a simple and dark prayer to “God, Allah or whatever you want to call Him.” Irvine is an intimate look into Clarkson’s most dark period of sadness. Sample lyrics include “Are you there watching me? As I lie here on this floor, Do you cry, do you cry with me? Cry with me tonight.” 13 Chivas (Hidden Track) Don’t skip past the silence at the end of Irvine. If you do, you’ll surely miss one of the highlights of the record, Chivas, the entertaining bonus track. A cheeky kiss-off to an ex, Chivas, filled with fantastic raspy vocals, is a real pleasure, especially the joking final verse. Clarkson tells her ‘high-maintenance’ ex-boyfriend she’d rather take the Chivas instead. 14 Dirty Little Secret - A very fine rock track, Dirty Little Secret is not found on most copies of My December, which is disappointing, because it is one of the best tracks on the album. The vocals are once again top-rate and the bridge is to die for. iTunes Exclusive Track Not Today - By the time you’ll be reading this review, you won’t be able to purchase this track off iTunes. But I feel it’s worth reviewing. It’s a very enjoyable pop rock track that’s catchy and addicting. It would have made a fine single. Not Today is very much worth finding.

Clarkson’s ‘December’ is a testament to true artistry

Amidst a maelstrom of controversy, veteran megastar Kelly Clarkson delivers her much-anticipated project ‘My December.’ A follow-up to her astronomically-successful six-time platinum ‘Breakaway,’ ‘December’ is Clarkson’s most original work yet. Considering Clarkson wrote or co-wrote every song on the album, it is fair to say ‘December’ is also her most personal record thus far. On ‘December,’ Clarkson further develops the pop/rock sound she featured on ‘Breakaway,’ though the intensity is ratcheted up tenfold. This is apparent on songs such as “Haunted,” “Hole,” and “Never Again” (the album’s first single). In fact, Clarkson’s newfound rocked-out sound is drawing comparisons to Alanis Morissette and Janis Joplin. Also found on ‘December’ are indie blues and soul tracks like “Be Still,” “Yeah,” and “Irvine,” which strengthen Clarkson’s songwriting credentials and her knack for recording true music rather than disposable radio filler. “Yeah” in particular is a step away from what she is used to recording thanks to its jazziness, but she manages to pull it off. “Irvine” is a true classic and is a compliment to indie rock. It is also the most unique track on ‘December’ thanks to its lazy, daydream-esque sentiment, though it doesn’t seem out of place. ‘December’ also includes the second-best song Clarkson has ever written and recorded in “Sober,” an account of a woman declaring her resiliency after a break-up. “Sober” is second only to “Because of You,” which will remain Clarkson’s most heartfelt song to date. The final chorus represents an emergence from sullenness to confidence as Clarkson’s vocals soar to emotional heights. Despite the raw, more sincere sound on ‘December,’ there are still some catchy tracks that would fit on radio stations’ playlists with relative ease like “One Minute” and “How I Feel.” The verses on “Minute” are just as fun to sing along to as the chorus is, and the funky background music on “Feel” gives it a current touch. ‘December’ does not have a universally-accepted “weak” song on it, though “Judas” is a little on the bland side and can get lost in the shuffle with the superior hard-edged “Don’t Waste Your Time” and “Can I Have a Kiss.” Not to be missed is the quirky hidden track “Chivas,” in which Clarkson’s lyrics are humorous at times. The bonus tracks available on the deluxe edition of ‘December’ are all worth it, from Dave Audé’s remixes of “Never Again” to the P!NK-like, down and “Dirty Little Secret.” ‘My December’ is a masterpiece; a testament to true artistry, and it cements Clarkson’s position as an artist and not just another popstar. It is true not everyone loves her new sound, but that will not change the fact that ‘December’ is Clarkson to the core. This project will not be met with the commercial success that its predecessor received, but that is the last thing Clarkson is concerned with. The fact remains that Clarkson’s growth and maturity are present on ‘My December’ and it will always be a chapter in her musical career, one that will be looked back on as a great decision for years to come.

Clarkson Breaksaway From 'Breakaway'

So Never Again wasn't a huge sucess. Who Cares!? This album is GREAT! I actually would give this a 4 1/2 stars, but obviously I can't. There has been a lot of speculation about Kelly's new album, and most of it has been extremely negative. Why? This album might be bitter and negative, but wasn't Since U Been Gone, Behind These Hazel Eyes, and Walkaway? This album isn't Breakaway, but it is still a great album. Kelly really breaksaway from her "pop" ways, and rocks out! She brings real rock with songs like Hole and Can I Have a Kiss. What I really like is Kelly has got some R&B and Techo-ish songs here too, like Yeah, Judas, and Haunted. But don't worry Kelly still has some pop in her with songs like One Minute and How I Feel. And she has her amazing ballads on here too like Be Still and Sober. My personal favorite is Irvine! Although it is a sad song, she really brings it with that one! WOW! The reason I take off a star? Well, personally I think it is a little too dark and bitter at some points. Don't get me wrong I still love the album, but I feel that she could have done a little bit more to this album to set it apart from all other rock albums out there, and some songs lack catchy melodies. Now, radio play for this one? Not sure. I'm sure she has some hits in here, but nothing like Since U Been Gone (but how can you top that?). This album is a great 3rd album for Kelly, and she proves that she is staying for a while as a singer/songwriter!

Biography

Born: April 24, 1982 in Fort Worth, TX

Genre: Pop

Years Active: '00s, '10s

The winner of Fox TV's first American Idol competition during the summer of 2002, Kelly Clarkson went from an anonymous talent to a nationally known singer in a matter of months, performing for an audience of millions. One of the show's most naturally gifted singers, the affable Texan then went on to enjoy a successful...
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