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Track Listings
| 1. Chivas |
| 2. Never Again |
| 3. One Minute |
| 4. Hole |
| 5. Sober |
| 6. Don't Waste Your Time |
| 7. Judas |
| 8. Haunted |
| 9. Be Still |
| 10. Maybe |
| 11. How I Feel |
| 12. Yeah |
| 13. Can I Have A Kiss |
| 14. Irvine |
Product Description
Amazon.co.uk
Judging by the themes of anger and betrayal that dominate Kelly Clarkson's third disc, My December, perhaps 'Jagged Little Idol' would have been a more telling title. According to interviews, the massively successful artist wanted more creative control with her music going forward; as a result, unlike her previous CDs, Clarkson contributes as a songwriter on every track. The final product is not nearly as catchy as Breakaway, but is far more introspective and honest. My December's overall sound brings a harder musical style than fans might expect, with acerbic lyrics to match; the disc's first single "Never Again"--a dark rock song slamming her ex-boyfriend--is certainly a tip-off. The compelling chorus of "Hole" finds Clarkson singing "There's a hole/inside of me/it's so damn cold/slowly killing me" over a melody that is far more Tool than top-40. "Haunted" and "Judas" are wrought-over tracks that veer into Evanescence territory, while the wonderfully sparse "Maybe" is a highlight within which Clarkson's pleading voice is perfectly showcased. My December's final listed track, "Irvine" (prior to the hidden bluesy acoustic ballad "Chivas") sounds far more Cat Power-meets-Corinne Bailey Rae than Clarkson, but it is certainly one of the most captivating songs on the disc, and serves as yet another reminder of just how versatile her voice is. Fans of her previous radio-friendly releases may well be divided on her new direction, but it appears to be the path Clarkson is likely to continue to travel. --Denise Sheppard
Review
Five years and three albums down the line, it seems a little unfair to still be pre-announcing Kelly Clarkson with the words American Idol. The incredible success of the fist pumping "Since U Been Gone" propelled her into pop superstardom here in the UK and she's never looked back.
My December catches Kelly in independent mode. While her previous success may have had something to do with pop supreme songwriters Max Martin and Dr Luke's winning hooks, this time round each song on the album has been co-written by Kelly herself and other independent songwriters. Given the album opener 'Never Again' bitterly starts with 'I hope the ring you gave to her turns her finger green', you've probably guessed that these lyrics aren't going to be the happiest. My December is a journey from the immediate anger of a break-up to a time when it's been accepted but still hurts.
Second single, the crescendoing 'Sober' is three months down that journey. Beginning with a soft guitar reminiscent of U2's 'With or Without You', it takes nearly four minutes to reach its climax layering Kelly's desperate vocals over each other. The similarly desperate 'Haunted' is a much easier song to get to grips with. As Kelly begs to not be left on her own, distorted strings, thrashing guitars mean and spooky vocals mean this could easily be found on any Evanescence album.
Despite the darkness, My December isn't completely full of slow burning slowies. While bouncy, the 80s influenced 'One Minute' sounds like it could have come off any Ashlee, Lindsay identikit rock-pop album, the best stomper is 'Judas'. A woman betrayed, Kelly sings with passion over a pulsating guitars and a synthy verse.
Darker and more personal, there's nothing very immediate about My December. Its closing track 'Irvine' demonstrates this to greatest effect. Unlike anything we've heard from Kelly before, a gentle guitar backs a fragile, sombar vocal. This isn't an easy album to listen to, but give it a chance - despite the intial backlash it's suffered, this could be the album that really cements Kelly's future as a serious artist. --Talia Kraines
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Why aren't people allowed to grow up?,
By
This review is from: My December (Audio CD)
I have listened to My December just the once, and already I'm not quite sure why people have savaged it so much. I guess the US market is much more genre driven than the UK and people switching direction isn't usually welcomed.
Kelly Clarkson has grown up and is obviously tired of singing the syrupy ballads her record company advised her to when she had won American Idol. This is a much more mature album than Breakaway (which was a stunning album, if not a little over-produced), this is a much more raw album, with confessional lyrics and her vocals not so overstretched. A lot of this reminds me of Pink, who seems to be able to get away with being feisty as that was the image she set out with in the beginning. I think Clarkson will find a bigger fanbase in the UK, as we are more willing to accept people taking a change in direction.
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
She's Back,
By One Love, One Heart, Lets Get Together... (GREAT Britain) - See all my reviews
This review is from: My December (Audio CD)
Yes ladies and gents, the reigning Queen of pop/rock is back, and Ms Clarkson has returned with a stomping album. Admittedly, "My December" takes a while to warm up. It is not the sort of album that hits you square in the face and screams 'YES!'. However, after a couple of listens, the quality behind Kelly's third album becomes apparant. I do not own her first album, but her second, 'Breakaway' was a brilliant and fun record and what I would call generally an easy listen. 'My December' is not so kind, but that is not a bad thing. As brilliant as 'Breakaway' was and still is, there is a certain rawness and maturity to Kelly's new album that lacked in her former work. The first single, 'Never Again' is bitter yet dazzling - a real corker, and in my opinion one of her best tunes to date. Further highlights include the emotional and brilliant 'Sober', the slightly more up-beat 'Don't Waste Your Time', the laid back "Be Still", the simply awesome 'Maybe' and the fun 'How I Feel', which is definitely the most Breakaway-like song on the album. Kelly has been criticised for perhaps being 'one-dimensional' in her writing and sound. Although many of her songs do seem to allude to break-ups and ex's, the album and Kelly herself are far from 'one-dimensional'. 'Haunted' is apparently about someone that commited suicide and the beautiful 'Irvine' appears to have religious undertones. I feel these songs bring a variety to 'My December'. There are also some more light-hearted tracks such as 'Yeah' and 'Can I Have A Kiss?'. Overall, 'My December' is a brilliant and mature return from the Queen of pop/rock, containing a diversity that's new to her work. Kelly sings with a certain honesty and emotion that seems to be absent in many of todays artists. Personally, I'd advise you to give 'My December' a chance. Be patient because it will grow, and it will be brilliant. Rock on Kelly!
15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
a love it or hate it album - this is the real kelly though,
By poplover4ever (London, UK) - See all my reviews
This review is from: My December (Audio CD)
i think some people here are being a bit too harsh as far as this album is concerned. i don't know what people expect from a pop album. i expect to be entertained and listen to songs that are enjoyable and memorable. as far as those two things are concerned i'm pleased :)it seems to be a bit of a love it or hate it album but i don't think that's such a bad thing.
kelly has a fantastic voice and the songs are beautiful and nicely written. i would have liked a few songs that talked about more upbeat topics but i respect kelly for sticking to how she feels at the moment and talking about it in her songs. Nobody feels happy all the time and i respect songwriters (kelly did co-write all the songs in this cd) who show us their true feelings in an album. next album might be more upbeat or not but that's not up to me to decide or even judge. some reviewers seems too eager to throw stones but i think people deserve a break and freedom to express themselves. i say buy it, let it grow on you and keep supporting kelly. she's a true superstar :)
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