With so much bad buzz emanating about Kelly’s “My December,” here’s a spot where you can hear the entire CD to decide for yourself.. Tell me what y’all think!
Here are my quick takes on the 13 cuts. I can now see why Clive Davis was concerned. Not a “Since U Been Gone” or even “Behind These Hazel Eyes” in sight. It’s more like lots of “Walk Away” type tunes. I really don’t love it and it seems a bit overly obsessed with heartbreak and pain. It’s clearly narrower in appeal than her previous two CDs.
“Never Again” — We already know this was the first single that bombed. It lacks the carthartic feel of “Since U Been Gone.” It just feels angry and misses the mark melodically.
“One Minute” — Again, this has a rock feel, similar in vein to “Never Again.” It’s actually better than “Never Again.” There’s a propelling urgency about the song, especially the chorus.
“Hole” — More of that anger! Speaking of anger, I can picture Clive Davis’s face contorting into a sneer as he gets to this cut.
“Sober” — Ah… a break from the hard guitars and driving percussion. Just a soft acoustic guitar and a sad-sounding Kelly dong a ballad. She is exceptional at these types of songs though it’s more subtle than the likes of “Because of You.”
“Don’t Waste Your Time” - Finally a song that has a really decent hook! And it actually feels like a happier tune even though lyrically, it’s yet another bitter breakup song.
“Judas” - Another song about betrayal and distrust with Kelly belting the chorus like she was part of Evanescence. Morrissey would find this depressing!
“Haunted” - “Shocked, broken, I’m dying inside,” she sings. This time, she’s not the one doing the breaking up. She envelopes the song with a shroud of sadness. Quite effective but man, I need to pull out a razor blade! And we’re only halfway through the CD.
“Be Still” - This is the first song that seems to convey some sense of hope. It’s got a slightly jazzy feel and is not really top 40 material but shows maturity and grace.
“Maybe” - The second song in a row that’s, ulp, positive. But it’s atmospherically dark, and a bit languid.
“How I Feel” - Hmm… another breakup song! This one at least has some pep in its step, the one I’d pick for the next single if I were Kelly & Co.
“Yeah” - This is the first song with even a smidgen of horns and a chorus that has a bit of gospel feel. She sings in a syncopated whisper during some of the verses.
“Can I Have a Kiss” - I love the way she says “kiss.” But again, this is a breakup song and the chorus is all angst-filled.
“Irvine” - She’s not screaming at all this time around and it’s almost a relief. I really like this tune. It possesses a warm feel that’s lacking on much of the album.
NASCAR, which can’t be too happy about all this downbeat news, will break a new campaign with pop singing sensation Kelly Clarkson on TNT during the Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. (Sunday, June 24, 2 p.m., ET)
The Wall Street Journal (subscription only) even weighed in Friday about her. Since I can’t really link to the story, here’s a summary:
They did a narrative story using a lot of anonymous sources basically confirming everything we’ve heard so far. Yes, she wanted to make her own version of Bruce Springsteen’s “Nebraska.” RCA were “aghast” she wanted to write her own stuff. Clive suggested three songs from other songwriters she rejected (one had been on a Lindsay Lohan album!). Problems over the album’s direction delayed its release from the spring. Davis seemed down about the CD at a meeting with top Sony BMG execs. “Does this look like a hit?” he rhetorically asked as a project displayed lyrics to one of Clarkson’s compositions.
We saw Davis slightly snub Kelly at the “Idol Gives Back” show. People involved with the tour and observers wondered why she was so overambitious trying to headline arenas after struggling to fill smaller amphitheaters last year. And wouldn’t it have been smarter to target smaller, more intimate venues if the CD was purposely her “Nebraska”? One interesting thing: the promoter was unusually candid about why the tour was cancelled last week: poor sales. Some wanted to invent an excuse but they chose honesty.
