Kelly Clarkson
Album: All I Ever Wanted
Label: RCA/Sony
Rating: ** 1/2

Kelly Clarkson had the nerve on her 2007 album, My December, to buck the industry experts (read Clive Davis) by making a record dominated by her own darkly edged songs. Like a self-fulfilling prophecy, the album tanked. Well, Kelly learned her lesson and she’s back with a team of A-list producers and writers (including Katy Perry and American Idol judge Kara Dioguardi) for her fourth album, All I Ever Wanted. Every song is radio-ready, a smash single waiting to happen. The opening track, My Life Would Suck Without You, is nothing but Since You’ve Been Gone with different lyrics. Kelly is defiant in I Do Not Hook Up, vulnerable on Cry,  in control on Don’t Let Me Stop You and angry on Whyyawannabringmedown. We could go on but I’m sure you’re getting the picture. A different emotion for every track, all sung with that great big voice of hers. It’s all fine. But at least on My December she was willing to take a risk. Poor Kelly. She just can’t make anybody happy.

On the web
www.myspace.com/kellyclarkson