Music
All I Ever Wanted
Kelly Clarkson
Sony BMG, Rs 299/-

There have been many American Idols down the years, but one standout is 2002 winner Kelly Clarkson, a pop powerhouse with three albums (Thankful, Breakaway and My December) to her credit. After her last album fared badly, Clarkson has gone back to the sound (Breakaway) that made her career take off. The move has worked wonders. Like her previous albums, her fourth effort All I Ever Wanted, has soaring vocals on ballads and anthems alike. The pop-rock arrangements with guitar, synthesizers and drums, coupled with her amazing vocals, enhance her lyrics and style smoothly.

Big vocals, catchy beats, some pop, some rock, a little techno here and there, are brought in in a novel way. The opener, My Life Would Suck Without You, is a runaway hit getting the album off to a pulsating start. I Do Not Hook Up, a Katy Perry song, is a neat, catchy and solid track. It appears that the whole production here is targeted to the younger crowd. Kelly has done her work too by writing/producing the songs but still allowing great songwriters to contribute great pop material on the album. Also lookout for If I Can’t Have You, a dance hit for sure. However, a low point comes in on the punk-sounding Whyyouwannabringmedown, Long Shot and Ready. The piano-based ballad If No One Will Listen is a good cutoff to bringing the album to an end.

Though new audiences may want to stay away due to the heavy sound and loud vocals, this is otherwise a purely fun album. So whether you like her music or not you can’t deny the power and range of Clarkson’s voice. A solid album with plenty of energy, a raspy rocker voice and loads of confidence. Includes lyrics.