
CORPORATE LINE: Clarkson co-wrote six songs on the album, including “Behind These Hazel Eyes” with Max Martin and Lukasz Gottwald, as well as “Because of You” with Ben Moody and David Hodges, formerly of Evanescence. Clarkson also recorded six songs co-written by Kara Dioguardi, including “Gone,” “Where Is Your Heart,” and “You Found Me.” “Kara is one of the best writers I’ve ever met,” says Kelly. “She’s passionate and very much an emotional writer,” ‘Gone,’ which Kara wrote with John Shanks, is feisty and uptempo. “It’ll be a great song to perform live. I love “You Found Me” because it’s a happy song and the rest of the album is a bit on the darker side.”
Clarkson and Dioguardi also teamed up to write “Hear Me,” along with Clif Magness. “ ‘Hear Me’ is the message I really want people to get from this album, sometimes I just want to be heard,” Kelly explains. “I don’t care if you like my opinion or if you care what I’m saying, just listen. Indulge me. I wrote this song about being in a crowd, you’re screaming at the top of your lungs and no one is listening. You are invisible. That’s what I feel like sometimes. It’s a very therapeutic song for me to listen to. I think everyone can relate to it.”
The album concludes with a live version of “Beautiful Disaster,” a song Clarkson originally recorded for her first album. “The lyrics are so beautiful,” Kelly stresses. “ Writer Matthew Wilder and I wanted to do a piano version. We did it on tour and everybody flipped over it. I thought it would be great to add it to the record for the people who didn’t get a chance to see me perform it live.”
THE GREAT:
“Because of You” – The ballads fit her like a glove. Clarkson takes the emotion and goes to an entirely new level.
THE AVERAGE:
“Addicted” – Sounds a little too much like Evanescence.
“Breakaway” – Clarkson goes after a single but this is far from the best song on the album.
“Where Is Your Heart” – This really wants to be an epic on par with Celine Dion but lacks the lyrics to be great.
“Behind These Hazel Eyes” – Clarkson doesn’t fit the rock mold. This song seems written for someone like Avril and not her. Clarkson never quite feels comfortable.
“You Found Me” – Definitely the weakest track on the record. Goes no where and only holds up because Clarkson commands it so.
THE BAD:
Nothing.
FRANKLY: to be honest I’ve always thought that Kelly Clarkson should be more Faith Hill than Avril Lavigne. Breakaway doesn’t fit her just as Thankful never did. Obviously, Clarkson is still trying to find her voice and it’s too bad this isn’t the best fit. Just because artists like Ashley Simpson, Avril, and Evanescence had grown in popularity it doesn’t mean Clarkson should go with the flow. If Clarkson wants staying power she has to be in front of the trends not latching on to them.
Let’s be honest—Clarkson was better on American Idol than she’s been on either of her records. Why? It is simple–she was singing classic songs on the show and has yet found a songwriter who can write hits that are deserved of her voice. Where are the great songwriters when a star needs them?
+ Rae Gun
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