Kelly Clarkson [merged]

[iflookscouldkill]

The album has been getting bad reviews after another here in the UK. I haven't read a good review yet.

Even fans on message boards seem non-plussed by the album from the leaks.

I have been put off buying it. Never Again isn't brilliant either

I loved Breakaway as well

You might wanna listen to the whole thing...besides music reviewers are some of the most bitter people on the planet. Think for yourself.

[G-Lexington]

One of my favorite artists said, "There are two types of reviews - positive ones, and those by people who don't know what they fuck they're talking about."

>>>Think for yourself.

I do. Hence the problem.

Lex

[lifeisamazing]

ive bought her first two...cant wait to buy her 3rd one.

[marko_nikko]

btw, who's the model in her video NEVER AGAIN? he's hot, and she's need 2 loose sum weight before doing the bathtub scene. anyway, her first single is sucks, which ruined my appetite to hear the whole album.

[sonny10305]

You can catch Kelly and Reba (no last names are necessary) singing and talking shop on the Country Music Television (CMT) series Crossroads on Sunday night, I imagine it will be repeated several times next week as well.
Should be awesome!

[Overated]

You might wanna listen to the whole thing...besides music reviewers are some of the most bitter people on the planet. Think for yourself.

I have listened to a few tracks and thought it was dire. Especially Sober

[sunoftheskye]

I'm so obsessed with Sober. I have to say, I had little faith she'd be able to sing some of these songs live, but she sang it on the Tonight Show and sounded wonderful.

I actually got a little teary eyed.

[Tragic]

I think she might barely pull it off with this album, but she might want to reconsider he decision with a style change. Listening to a preview album, I would hope she goes back to her old style after this.

[falconfan]

You know I was watching a VH1 Roc Doc today and David Gilmour (Pink Floyd) said something I thought was very astute "As an artist you have to make art to please yourself because if you go around trying to figure out what everyone else wants you'll never do it."

[QuidditchStud]

It's a fine line though when you think about it. Her album may be all about being herself and creative expression, but if no one likes it and it doesn' sell then her career as it is in in free fall. She got her start on a tv show and that stigma will always be with her and hamper her to a certain extent. I mean, over here in Oz the winner, Guy Sebastian, had a huge voice and was really a talented singer, yet his album sales were woeful and he is still trying to make up lost ground while the runner up Shannon is doing very good for himself.
Her new album got 3 stars in a major music newspaper here, but still the reviewer stated that it is now an instant likeable album and that it is a grower rather than an instant hit maker, and in an entertainment industry that is all about the big bucks and wanting them quick it can be a career breaker. I personally don' like the new song they picked to launch it here in Oz ' Never Again' and so that turned me off the album, and to be honest from what I am hearing it is a reflection on what the whole album is like.

[MerelyDeath]

Kelly Clarkson is Brilliant! Favorite idol yet.

[sunoftheskye]

It's a fine line though when you think about it. Her album may be all about being herself and creative expression, but if no one likes it and it doesn' sell then her career as it is in in free fall. She got her start on a tv show and that stigma will always be with her and hamper her to a certain extent. I mean, over here in Oz the winner, Guy Sebastian, had a huge voice and was really a talented singer, yet his album sales were woeful and he is still trying to make up lost ground while the runner up Shannon is doing very good for himself.
Her new album got 3 stars in a major music newspaper here, but still the reviewer stated that it is now an instant likeable album and that it is a grower rather than an instant hit maker, and in an entertainment industry that is all about the big bucks and wanting them quick it can be a career breaker. I personally don' like the new song they picked to launch it here in Oz ' Never Again' and so that turned me off the album, and to be honest from what I am hearing it is a reflection on what the whole album is like.

Never Again is horrible IMO and it flopped on radio here in the US, but her new song Sober is a LOT better.

[MetaKnight]

I dont like Never Again at all. I thought it would grow on me... but it just annoys me. I'm hoping that the rest is better.

[mak529]

Oh wow, I didn't know the cd was coming out so soon! Cool, although I must admit, i dont really like 'Never Again' too much...but that won't stop me from getting the cd.

[frogorange123]

Why would I buy more than one copy? Because I think Kelly is freakin awesome. Plus i need one for my house and car. I also buy more for my friends to give, im a giver. To make up for Falconfan, lol. I dont ever trust critic reviews. They just tend to follow the crowds. If they hear negative stuff they all start saying bad stuff. WHen they say good stuff everyone loves it. Kelly hereself has said she knows it wont match the success of "Breakaway" just cause the fact is people might not want to give her a chance. But i love the fact she dont care what people think, she does what she feels. Thats a true artist, not all these other singers who just want big sales which equal money.

Also for those who want her to go back to her old stuff, dont hold your breath. Kelly has said she is already working on her new stuff and it is old blue/country sounding. Of course nothing is set in stone another album is far away.

I loved Never Again especially the part where its just her voice "Never again will I hear, Never Again will I miss you, never again will i fall to you..." love that part.

The song im addicted to now is "How I feel" love that song. Love "Maybe" too.

[sonny10305]

She needs to fire her producer and find someone who can showcase her amazing talent. The songs in that album may not have been the best choices for her.

[bostonboy20]

She needs to fire her producer and find someone who can showcase her amazing talent. The songs in that album may not have been the best choices for her.

she wrote and produced the album....so she'd be firing herself

[translation]

Please go out and buy this album--I previewed it and you will not be disappointed. She is an amazing talent--picking up my copy after work

[iflookscouldkill]

Why would I buy more than one copy? Because I think Kelly is freakin awesome. Plus i need one for my house and car. I also buy more for my friends to give, im a giver. To make up for Falconfan, lol. I dont ever trust critic reviews. They just tend to follow the crowds. If they hear negative stuff they all start saying bad stuff. WHen they say good stuff everyone loves it. Kelly hereself has said she knows it wont match the success of "Breakaway" just cause the fact is people might not want to give her a chance. But i love the fact she dont care what people think, she does what she feels. Thats a true artist, not all these other singers who just want big sales which equal money.

Also for those who want her to go back to her old stuff, dont hold your breath. Kelly has said she is already working on her new stuff and it is old blue/country sounding. Of course nothing is set in stone another album is far away.

I loved Never Again especially the part where its just her voice "Never again will I hear, Never Again will I miss you, never again will i fall to you..." love that part.

The song im addicted to now is "How I feel" love that song. Love "Maybe" too.

"Maybe" is my favorite song that she's ever done

[timestwo]

I'd go straight for this woman!

[MerelyDeath]

I'd go straight for this woman!

mmmmmmm both her and Amy Lee.

[frogorange123]

"Maybe" is my favorite song that she's ever done

That song is amazing. I love her voice in it.

The cd came out today in the US go buy it. I just saw her "Sober" performance from Jay Leno, it was amazing.

[G-Lexington]

If I were smart, I'd just let it it go. But, as I pointed out in the IQ thread, I'm not smart. So, here it is - an apologia.

First off, let me state that if you love the music, then yes - by all means, buy the album! I'd never tell people not to enjoy a song. Don't let nobody pick your fun, sang the Cars back in 1982, and it's still good advice now.

I've never been a Kelly Clarkson fan, per se. I've enjoyed a couple of her songs, but nothing more. I don't watch American Idol, I don't listen to her albums over and over, nothing like that. But, as it turns out, I AM somewhat of a fan of another artist - Kenna - who's having some similar issues with HIS latest album. Kenna's attempting to branch out from the more pop-oriented material of his previous album, trying to move forward into different realms. And I'm all for that. But my complaint about Kenna's new album is the same as my issue with Kelly's new album - I find the new stuff uncompelling.

Kenna's "real" fans have given me plenty of grief over this. The most common accusation is that I want Kenna to be stuck in some sort of time warp, to constantly churn out carbon copies of his last album over and over, to never evolve. In short, Lex don't realize that Kenna's moved on to bigger and better things.

The thing is, though, Lex do understand. I'm extremely happy the Beatles moved beyond "Please Please Me". I'm stoked that Little Stevie Wonder wasn't stuck doing novelty songs the rest of his life. And I'm well-aware that Radiohead had to move beyond Pablo Honey. But in all of those cases, the new stuff was at least as compelling as the old - in fact, it was generally more so. The new Kenna material is different. That's cool. But, in my eyes, it's insufficient. Just because something's different doesn't automatically make it better. So it's different - but is it good?

When I put a CD in my CD player for the first time, I try to approach it with a clean slate. I try not to bring assumptions or expectations to the table. What I'm asking of a new CD is simple - "interest me." "Give me something to make me want to put you BACK in later on." Because I've got thousands of CDs. I don't need another cluttering my rack if I'm not going to be compelled to put it back on.

Kelly Clarkson wants to move away from what she feels is the stultifying "AmIdol" mold. And I can totally appreciate that. She got into a feud with Clive Davis over it, and I'm totally in favor of that. (Clive is both an utter asshole AND an industry genius...but he's been wrong about stuff before.) But when I put the CD in and listened...enh. I understand what she's trying to do, but I wish she'd found a more interesting way to do it. She kinda sounds like Evanescence here and there, which is fine, and I didn't think it was BAD. It just wasn't compelling - nothing stuck. And I don't need another enh-OK CD on my rack.

Do I trust music critics? Certainly not single-y. I've certainly read lousy reviews for some of my favorite albums, and it made me wonder what they heck the critic might have been smoking. But I tend to trust music critics as a group, at least more so than I trust fans. Because fans tend to let their love for their favorite artist color their impressions too much. Fans tend to be far too eager to not only give their artist every benefit of the doubt, but to believe the press releases that get issued along with them. My friend is a Yes fan, and he greets every album they put out with the belief that they have, once again, put out an amazing work of art that demands to be listened to incessantly.

But I don't feel that way. About anybody. I CAN'T feel that way. Every single one of my favorite artists of all time have put out what I feel are some crappy albums (anyone want my copy of Prince's New Power Soul?). Why is that? Is it because I'm not a big enough fan? Actually, no - I think it's because I'm a music fan first and foremost. I'd rather hear a great song by anybody than a bad song by Prince.

Again, though, if you like it, buy it. I've been a Gary Numan fan for 25 years, and the awful reviews he's gotten could fill a library. And in many cases, I could understand what the reviewers were saying - the songs were interchangeable, or the music was too calculated, or he didn't have anything new to say. And yet, many times, even after agreeing with those sentiments, I still liked the album. Maybe those albums really do suck. It just means I own and listen to a suck-y album. I'm cool with that.

Lex

[sonny10305]

she wrote and produced the album....so she'd be firing herself

Ahh, there in lies the problem. With so little experience why would she do that?
Great voice though, she will get past the one so-so album.

[bostonboy20]

If y'all get FUSE yesterday she was on The Sauce and performed Never Again and Sober...and then after the show the had "extra Sauce" on which was a half hour show of her performing she did:
Walk Away
How I Feel
Sober
Never Again
Since U Been Gone

they'll prob re-air it sometime this week or weekend

[aadams990]

Let them buy more than one copy... because I love her and want it to do well but am also cheap so people need to make up for people like me lol

Very well put! I will probably buy her CD tomorrow, assuming it's released her in Canada as well.

I admire her tremendously. I'm hoping that she proves everyone wrong by sticking with the songs and the CD as a whole. She's talented and yeah. Loves me some of that.

[MerelyDeath]

Wow I just previewed the album and I dont see why it gets so many negative reviews. Its Brilliant! Haunted is amazing.

[poppy6785]

It is amazing!!! I LOVE it!!

[getoverit]

OMG I got the album today and its AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I can feel her in the music. This album is soooo good. You can tell when an artist writes their own lyrics cause they sing them ALOT differently. They sing them from their heart cause its words they are feeling in their heart. I just cant get over how good it is. Its prolly not going to appeal to her younger fans but her last album was kinda like that too but just had more of a pop twist to it. I love all the songs and I believe alot of them could be singles/videos if done right. Haunted and Be Still really stand out to me alot.

[falconfan]

Wow I just previewed the album and I dont see why it gets so many negative reviews. Its Brilliant! Haunted is amazing.

I'd bet that it's getting bad reviews because everyone knows golden ear doesn't like it. And Clive is always been right in the past so why risk forming your own opinion and being wrong or in the minority. I have no doubt that some critics form premature opinions on things like these.

[Yeehaw]

Alright I got the CD today and listened to it once, so far I don't think it's as non-maintream as lots of ppl make it out to be, not saying it's a bad thing. I actually enjoyed it, and it will definitely be on high rotation on my iPod and boombox cuz I need to grow on it.

[gameboy 11]

I don't care what reviewers say about things. I like to think for myself. I liked Never Again. Haven't heard anything else. But I admire her for giving a damn about what her name is slapped onto.

Well once you finally do give it a listen, you should either be a bit disappointed or highly amazed. I think the latter should kick in. Some songs may take a bit to grow on you, and you probably won't like all the songs but it's a very solid album, IMO.

I'll buy it as soon as I can. (within the next two weeks)

[frogorange123]

Its getting good reviews from "normal" people. Its been reported that now RCA is kicking it into over drive and are now gonna promote the heck out of the cd. They might not like the cd but without promotion less money comes in for them. Reports are setting up first week sales of 325k-350k, so hopefully sales keep up and she'll put up those numbers. She might not even be #1 with those numbers because the Hannah Montana is setting up to put up around those numbers as well, hopefully kelly will come out on top.

[Overated]

Hannah Montana

Fookin Hell...i feel for you all. Thankfully she doesn't get anyway near that number of sales in the UK

Kelly is midweek NO2 in the UK apparently *album*

[duckwings]

i am a HUGE Kelly Clarkson fan..have every album..and i LOVE her new one..i just like how shes so versitile...she dont put out the same stuff with each album...my favorites on "My December" are: Sober, Never Again, One Minute, Maybe.....ok, pretty much the whole damn thing is awesome lol..and it really does grow on you because i use to hate "Yeah" and now its one of my favorites...i know everyones different but i highly recommend this album..its really good..

[frogorange123]

Yep Hannah Montana is a big seller here in the US, of course Hannah Montana has constant promotion on the Disney Channel. Hopefully kelly can beat her out but its looking tough.

[renegade_killerbee]

I'm sorry but I gotta side with Clive on this one

It's hitless and instead of being angry, the songs just seem sad from start to finish ... but not in a hauntingly optimistic way aka a Mary Chapin Carpenter or Damien Rice collection.

Heck, you have to make it all the way to track No. 8, "Be Still" before you get to what might be a genuinely lovely pop hit. And track No. 10, "How I Feel" sounds like the kinda song Faith Hill would get scolded on by the country community if she recorded ... but it's a selling point to the downer of a disc.

Entertainment Weeky calls it not only her best effort yet, but the best effort by any 'American Idol' alumna. For me, it's too early to say that but then again, the only song I really liked off of 2004's "Breakaway" was the title song.

~ Kevin in Tulsa

www.myspace.com/iluvdaytimedramas

[falconfan]

Who said it needs to be happy or angry? Songs can be sad. That doesn't make them innately bad. And none of them are pop hits because it's not pop music. More along the lines of rock.

[renegade_killerbee]

I'm wondering if this whole Clive Davis 'vs.' pop princess Kelly Clarkson is all conjured up to create controversy behind her new album thus sparking more interest in it than if nothing had happened and it was just a regular delivery to record stores.

One to ponder for a little while, anyways.

~ Kevin in Tulsa

www.dlist.com/MEERKATMANOR

[NeverBeenKissed]

I'm wondering if this whole Clive Davis 'vs.' pop princess Kelly Clarkson is all conjured up to create controversy behind her new album thus sparking more interest in it than if nothing had happened and it was just a regular delivery to record stores.

One to ponder for a little while, anyways.

~ Kevin in Tulsa

www.dlist.com/MEERKATMANOR

I think right now clive is obsessed whitney's new album, that's why.

[gameboy 11]

i am a HUGE Kelly Clarkson fan..have every album..and i LOVE her new one..i just like how shes so versitile...she dont put out the same stuff with each album...my favorites on "My December" are: Sober, Never Again, One Minute, Maybe.....ok, pretty much the whole damn thing is awesome lol..and it really does grow on you because i use to hate "Yeah" and now its one of my favorites...i know everyones different but i highly recommend this album..its really good..

You pretty much like what I like: Sober, Be Still, Maybe, Can I Have A Kiss.

But my all-time favorite Kelly Clarkson song is Hole!

I can't explain how great this song is! It's SO me. I like Yeah too, especially towards the ending where they slow it down..

[MetaKnight]

Well I like so far Hole, One Minute, Can I have a Kiss, and Sober.

I don't like the rest.

Maybe it will grow on me... but we'll see bout that.

[Overated]

I could only listen to a few tracks. I had to turn it off.

FOUL

Not one track stands out...each track melds into the other.

Shame...Breakaway is FANTASTIC

[frogorange123]

I guess everyone has a different feeling for everyone. Im still listening to it non stop.

[G-Lexington]

Damage control.

I mean, Kelly shows she's a much bigger person than Clive by reaching out.

Lex

[robbieadam]

I didn't know she had a new album out. I'll be buying that, it sounds good.

[frogorange123]

^yeah, lol.

I can say Kelly is bigger balls than most ppl in the industry. SHe fought for an album, and pissed ppl off. And when her album didnt do as well, she has the balls to come out and say it. She is an awesome person.

[Leavemealone]

who is fan of Kelly Clarkson? and which is your favorite song.
and if your not a fan, why?

[sunoftheskye]

Used to worship her. 'Til her voice died. :/

[luminum]

I don't love her, but I usually enjoy most of her songs. I think I like "Because of You" the most right now.