With a title like "Thankful", Kelly Clarkson wasn't going to successfully define herself as a star in her own right. Indeed, her debut back in 2003 seemed affected, not craft from a real and honest person (two things of which she is known for). But, with her first time jitters out of the way, Kelly Clarkson kicks the sophomore slump in the rear, and instead builds her sound from her strengths. Appropriately titled "Breakaway", 2004 finds her severed from her American Idol ties, and is know just enjoyably mainstream. The title track, with its swirling emotions and universal message, eases her transition into a bona-fide pop star, while one of the best rock tracks ever recorded, "Since U Been Gone", is a blown-out and riveting stance against bad boyfriends. Much like Alanis Morisette's "Jagged Little Pill", Kelly Clarkson turns to the big choruses and a raw, intense personality to shape "Breakaway". And so much of it works: you can go from hearing Kelly belt out glory notes in "Behind My Hazel Eyes", go in the completely opposite direction and deliver a show-stopping ballad, "Because of You", and then put that song on its head and get "Gone", filled with thrills and sharp guitars. So much of the beauty of this album is its sense of uncleanliness. While there is certainly no filler, there's also no covering up the spunky brat inside of Kelly. It's easy to tell that this persona is who she really is, and it has alot to say that "Thankful" didn't allow. But, it's still the same person that won America over with "A Moment Like This". She still retains her honest appeal by stripping away any harsh facade, and instead lets a vulnerability in that wasn't present on her debut. This darkness shapes the brooding "Addicted" and the shockingly depressing "Hear Me", yet she's not downed in it. Her greatest asset, that powerhouse voice, is what ultimately carries you through each track. Even when the hard-core momentum set by "Since U Been Gone" wears off, the middle of the album is just as good. "Walk Away" is a feisty little pop number, while "You Found Me" appropriately finds Kelly at her best, both musically and artistically. And finishing the record with a stunning live performance of "Beautiful Disaster", it's clear that Kelly Clarkson is not only a true pop star, but she's bound to ride this new-found wave of stardom for many, many years. The best part of "Breakaway" is that it's long-lasting, not forgettable like its predecessor. Even if Kelly doesn't release this album's follow up for another few years, there is plenty of material that will satisfy for generations past its release. "Breakaway" may not be the most scandalous or shocking album of 2004, it's longevity proves it to be the best album of this year, regardless of genre.
Recommended Tracks in Bold:
1. Breakaway 2. Since U Been
Gone 3. Behind These Hazel Eyes
4. Because of
You 5. Gone 6.
Addicted
7. Where is
your heart? 8.
Walk Away
9. You Found Me 10. I hate myself for losing you
11. Hear Me 12. Beautiful Disaster
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