It makes no sense to talk about "My December", Kelly Clarkson's third album, without discussing the heated argument with label executive Clive Davis before its release. His chief criticism lodged against it, was that it lacked singles and was, to put it simply, not as good as her first two records. But instead of acquiescing to her management, Kelly held her ground, fully motivated to release her third the way she wanted it. What she wanted, was to be pitched somewhere between Evanescence and Katy Rose; music that's built on boiling emotions and articulate lyrics. Playing samples from "My December" as proof, Davis took further jabs at the album, essentially stating that Kelly was biting the hand that fed her career. To a certain extent, he's right; while Clarkson won over adults and teens on "American Idol", she also wasn't content with singing plain adult contemporary ballads or glossy pop songs. Seeing as how both of those constructed her career-making records, it does seem like Kelly is turning her back on what made her a star in the first place. Then again, it's not that simple, because at this point in her career, Clarkson has successfully severed ties with "Idol", no longer required to sing whatever song is thrown in front of her because she did what she was supposed to do. She still remains the show's most successful contestant, so there's also no reason why she can't forge new ground and make a record built on her emotions, not her popularity.
Problem is, is that in the quest to thicken the rock sound, Clarkson has also stripped away anything pop-py about her songs. This is a move that may win over tortured tweens and early adults, as they are growing up with Kelly and her transition into adulthood, but all those who were won over by her girl-next-door persona may be alienated. The image of a sassy pop starlet has now been ruined, and in her place is a depressed ex-girlfriend who's been burned by love, unable to escape from her oppressing murk. Naturally, since Clarkson co-wrote all the tracks here, this abrupt change is woven into the music. Lead single "Never Again" is a prime example of this shift, as the guitars and drums are now paramount, not Kelly's remarkable voice or beguiling charm. This leads into "One Minute" an urgent track that gives "My December" a much needed spark, and for a moment, actually gives off the impression that the rest of the record could possibly be a melodic, not necessarily hooky, album built on nothing but fast-rock songs. Sadly, this is never realized, as the clanging, cluttered "Hole" comes crashing in soon after, thus destroying the thought that maybe "Never Again" was a bit misleading in the overall style of "My December". Sure there are a couple good moments past this, such as the ruminative "Sober" and the equally haunting and soothing closing track "Irvine". But the album never recovers, it just skulks along through the muddy emotions and Kelly's tattered voice. The latter is a major problem, because what "My December" lacks in hooks could possibly be compensated by Clarkson's charisma and reliably strong vocals. Unfortunately, it doesn't excel in either of those areas, perfectly illustrating that no matter how much Kelly combats it, Clive Davis was right in his argument that there are no crossover hits here, nothing to pull a listener in for multiple listens. That's not to say that it's a complete flop, it's just that it wasn't supposed to be this way. "My December" was supposed to be a triumph, Kelly's career-defining record that proved that she could shape an album all by herself, without guidance from Clive Davis of "Idol". But without somebody to bring her above her own mind, Clarkson often times gets in her own way, ultimately stifling her ambition. While it's true that "My December" is an artistic move Kelly needed to make, it doesn't prevent it from being Clarkson's worst album. The songs are insipid, the attitude is dour, and it buries Kelly's affections as a singer and her likeable persona she had on "American Idol".
Recommended Tracks in Bold:
1. Never
Again 2. One Minute 3. Hole
4. Sober 5.
Don’t Waste Your Time 6. Judas
7. Haunted 8.
Be Still 9.
Maybe
10. How I Feel 11.
Yeah 12.
Can I Have a Kiss?
13. Irvine
No comments:
Post a Comment