Kelly Clarkson - All I Ever Wanted

[Blake Solomon]

Kelly Clarkson - All I Ever Wanted
Record Label: RCA Records
Release Date: March 10, 2009

Putting All I Ever Wanted on shuffle could, depending on your thought process, ruin or save the whole experience. A far cry from Ms. Clarkson’s very public fight to write all her own songs on My December, All I Ever Wanted finds the singer co-penning just six of 14 songs (mostly with One Republic crooner Ryan Tedder). In this case, it’s a good thing Clarkson gave up some creative control, as her songs are generally the album’s weakest tracks (with the winners being string-infused rocker “Long Shot” and “Impossible”, which may be one of the best vocal performances of her storied career). Instead, All I Ever Wanted finds redeeming value in songs meant for Katy Perry or songs written by some of the biggest names in the game - lead single “My Life Would Suck Without You”, for example, has a veritable who’s-who of nameless songwriters behind it.

So it’s tough to really judge Ms. Clarkson, because so much of this album is simply not her. Sure, she had plenty of say on which pre-written songs would make it, but with each new writing credit comes another mood shift or jagged tempo upheaval. All I Ever Wanted has that classic characteristic of radio pop albums: a few singles crammed together before a bunch of useless filler. The album’s first four tracks are destined for road trips and karaoke stages. The Katy Perry demo “I Do Not Hook Up” has all the force of previous hits like “Breakaway” or “Behind Those Hazel Eyes”, except it’s less serious and dancey as hell. “Hook Up” leans on a massive chorus that will destroy radio as we know it. Following the rocker comes a Clarkson original called “Cry.” This is where I think her true talent lies; ballads that show off her amazing range. Clarkson’s ability to wallow in angst before letting loose with those formidable pipes is truly inspiring. (I still think American Idol should have stopped while it was ahead when Clarkson was named its first champion. F**k Taylor Hicks.) The last of the surefire singles is “Don’t Let Me Stop You,” a Pink-esque number heavy on guitars with a chorus the size of New York City.

And then it’s mixed bag city. The title track deflates any momentum from “Stop You” with its boring bass and a chorus too heavy on shrieks. “If I Can’t Have You” is Clarkson’s own attempt at Katy Perry or Lady GaGa, but it lacks the youthful authenticity of those acts. See, we know Clarkson has had her fair share of relationship problems, and a Britney Spears beat just doesn’t do enough for her mature persona. “Whyyawannabringmedown”, despite a completely obnoxious name, is a ridiculously fun retro rocker that’s about as punk rock as any female-crooned song on RCA gets. Sadly, there’s just not enough regularity to grab a firm hold. One minute Clarkson’s a disco queen and the next she’s in all black doing her best Evanescence, and then randomly she’ll “just want to have fun!” The musical whirlwind makes All I Ever Wanted very hard to digest in one sitting.

All I Ever Wanted closes with indie-pop pretending on “Ready” and “I Want You”, the latter of which doesn’t even sound like Clarkson. She penned both songs, which means this whole cohesion thing is a bigger problem than I initially thought. Even Clarkson doesn’t know what music she wants to make. I could say it’s an “album for everyone,” which may be true, but only in the sense that you’ll probably like a few of the tracks. But there are very few people who will pop this in and love it all. Maybe this is still part of her experimental phase. Maybe she’s not done deciding on a persona. But isn’t that what demos are for?


Recommended If You Like: Pink, Katy Perry, Madonna, Me Myself and Simon Cowell, the first iteration of Destiny's Child, Multiplicity, Whitney Houston in the Bodyguard, you know - stuff like that


www.myspace.com/kellyclarkson

[Blake Solomon]

still loads better than most of her contemporaries.

[11:11]

It wasn't horrible, but it had cringing moments. Especially from about the 4-8th tracks, because they were deadly boring.

By the way, nice review.

[WhoSaidThat?]

You call that a review? This review is dreadful.

[more heart]

This got a higher score than ADTR, lolwut?

[Blake Solomon]

I like the Katy Perry version of Hook up but have no interest in hearing the Kelly Clarkson version. I was under the impression that Katy Perry wrote or co-wrote most of her stuff. I guess not.
perry cowrote "Hook Up", not sure about the other one that was originally attached to her, though.

[more heart]

While I dislike both I'd rather llisten to Kelly Clarskon over ATRD which is just trendy scene garbage. Seriously they have released the same album four times except they changed the album title each time.
Could've sworn they have 3 records and that only their fans are scene...

[more heart]

Four countiing re-relasing their first album as Old Record. Their music is trendy and scene. I wasn't talking about their fans anyways. Imo fans don't matter the music is what matters and that is why ADTR suck
Still only 3 record of original material.

I'm not trying to argue with you at all, just bring up some discrepancies with your arguements.

[Blake Solomon]

there's no way to compare kelly clarkson and adtr. the scores, in regards to each other, couldn't be more irrelevant.

[CellarGhosts]

You call that a review? This review is dreadful.
Just because you don't agree with the reviewer's opinion (as I'm guessing you don't) doesn't make it a "dreadful" review.

[WhoSaidThat?]

Just because you don't agree with the reviewer's opinion (as I'm guessing you don't) doesn't make it a "dreadful" review.
No, I was making a reference to Simon Cowell, dude.

[Blake Solomon]

No, I was making a reference to Simon Cowell, dude.
ah, i must admit, that reference went right over my head.

[Chris Fallon]

She has one of the best contemporary voices in pop music today, but she needs to focus on one style and not try to zig-zag all over. It doesn't fit her -- she's better off being herself and not going for the dance-pop tunes.

[WhoSaidThat?]

ah, i must admit, that reference went right over my head.
Perhaps I could've executed it a little better.

[EchoPark]

how in the hell is this shit getting reviewed

[CellarGhosts]

No, I was making a reference to Simon Cowell, dude.
Ah, I gotcha.

[Gregory Robson]

Pretty solid review actually. You were quite fair and focused.

[CstrzRock]

Katy Perry co-wrote "Long Shot" and "I Do Not Hook Up" and Matt Theissen of Relient K co-wrote "Long Shot"

[Troggy]

She has one of the best contemporary voices in pop music today, but she needs to focus on one style and not try to zig-zag all over. It doesn't fit her -- she's better off being herself and not going for the dance-pop tunes.
This is true. I have no idea why the record had 14 tracks, that's the worst part about it. I can't even stand to listen to "I want you", and I could live without "if i can't have you", although it has been getting more and more fun to listen to. Trimmed down to 11-12 tracks, this record is great.

[Blake Solomon]

This is true. I have no idea why the record had 14 tracks, that's the worst part about it. I can't even stand to listen to "I want you", and I could live without "if i can't have you", although it has been getting more and more fun to listen to. Trimmed down to 11-12 tracks, this record is great.
not great, but it would be much improved.

[lovemetal24]

blake is hands down the worst reviewer on absolutepunk.net....please god, don't ever become an A&R rep because you would fail miserably

[npmshah]

i miss her "breakaway" days... even if she was partly-disney than, even the non-singles were amazing tracks (ie You Found Me)
Clarkson cant compare to Lady gaga OR ADTR... Lady GaGa doesnt have too much staying power IMO, though just Dance is indeed a guity pleasure of mine...
as for ADTR... theyve been writing their type of music for a long time before it was popular... my friend knew them before they were even signed... and if you hear the last two albums, they are indeed branching out into both lighter and heavier strands of music...

[circatbs]

You call that a review? This review is dreadful.
Haha. I read that the first time and was like lolwut? Then I read it in a british accent and was like awesomeeee. haha.

[carcrashofahart]

your recommending pink with this crap? pink has had album successes every single time out. this is kelly's biggest disappointment ever! my december was her and was fantastic might i add. she sold herself to the devil to make a piece of pop trash that i hope doesn't sell a single unit.

[xJesusFreakx]

blake is hands down the worst reviewer on absolutepunk.net....please god, don't ever become an A&R rep because you would fail miserably

Blake gets so much hate; it truly makes me "lol."

i miss her "breakaway" days... even if she was partly-disney than, even the non-singles were amazing tracks (ie You Found Me)
Clarkson cant compare to Lady gaga OR ADTR... Lady GaGa doesnt have too much staying power IMO, though just Dance is indeed a guity pleasure of mine...
as for ADTR... theyve been writing their type of music for a long time before it was popular... my friend knew them before they were even signed... and if you hear the last two albums, they are indeed branching out into both lighter and heavier strands of music...

Breakaway was definitely her overall best CD. I haven't given this a fair listen yet, though, so we'll see how close this is.

As for ADTR... They might be one of the early "innovators" of pop punk/hardcore scene (I don't know, so I'll just give this to you), but Homesick is definitely a typical scene album. I'm sorry, but it is. I mentally group them with bands like TDWP: They're not horrific, but they aren't interesting, and they just make me want to listen to some other band.

your recommending pink with this crap? pink has had album successes every single time out. this is kelly's biggest disappointment ever! my december was her and was fantastic might i add. she sold herself to the devil to make a piece of pop trash that i hope doesn't sell a single unit.

My December was so boring.

[awakeohsleeper]

still loads better than most of her contemporaries.
Agreed.

[carcrashofahart]

My December was so boring.

i didn't think so.

[Ryzenfall]

I Do Not Hook Up is so good.

[c_rob2700]

I wonder what it's like to try and do your own thing and fall flat on your face. I feel sorry for her, now she must reverb back to being a manufactured pop star

[newfoundmichael]

The first time I heard that "My life would suck without you" song I literally laughed so hard I cried. "Suck" is such an ugly and just wrong word to put in a pop song--let alone the chorus.

[npmshah]

Blake gets so much hate; it truly makes me "lol."



Breakaway was definitely her overall best CD. I haven't given this a fair listen yet, though, so we'll see how close this is.

As for ADTR... They might be one of the early "innovators" of pop punk/hardcore scene (I don't know, so I'll just give this to you), but Homesick is definitely a typical scene album. I'm sorry, but it is. I mentally group them with bands like TDWP: They're not horrific, but they aren't interesting, and they just make me want to listen to some other band.



My December was so boring.
At the risk of losing "scene cred" (<-- just kidding), i will say that Brekaway has influenced my life and my own personal writings in many ways, i totally love how she was both vulnerable and powerful at the same time...
yes.. ADTR is a pretty typical scene band, i will admit that, but i was just saying that they deserve some cred since they were also an early innovator...
i also admit that Homesick was pretty standard in terms of their scene... but there were some tracks on that album (such as "If it means alot to you") that will go down as some of my faves of all time....
i would also group them in with TDWP and others ike Sky Eats Airplane, Skylit Drive, DGD etc...
but i also love those groups so i dont complain much about the similarities
My December was indeed boring, even the "Hit single" wasnt so great...
i actually BOUGHT that album and i was like WTF is this

[jcoop05]

Agreed.
I want to agree as well, I mean she des have a better voice than practically all of her contemporaries with the exception of a few. But this album does nothing to set her apart from her contempraries. My December, definitely, but All I Ever Wanted just lumps her right back in with the rest.

[Troggy]

not great, but it would be much improved.

I just don't think you are giving some parts of the record enough credit. Really the only eyesore here is "I want you"... "If I can't have you" falls mostly victim to bad track ordering. Why its between those two ballads is beyond me, but really it's not a bad song if you give it a few tries. Think of what that song would have sounded like in the hands of a lesser vocalist, it would have been heavily compressed and the beat would have been played up to a point where the vocals are irrelevant.

Some people are saying that a dancey song like that is "not her style" and doesn't fit, and again, I wouldn't argue that the way it is positioned on the record does not do it any favors, but it doesn't sound like it is trying to be hip to the point where it disregards Kelly's talents. That's the appeal of Kelly, she is modern enough to fit in, but not to the point where she get sucked into the worst trends of the time. Also she has great range and can do ballads just as well as upbeat rockers.

If I had to pick the next weakest track I would have to say "Impossible", but it's really not bad, just more like expected filler. I am not surprised that something like that ended up on the record, but I wouldn't necessarily fault the album for it, since there are a slew of very good songs here.

your recommending pink with this crap? pink has had album successes every single time out. this is kelly's biggest disappointment ever! my december was her and was fantastic might i add. she sold herself to the devil to make a piece of pop trash that i hope doesn't sell a single unit.

lololololololol

I Do Not Hook Up is so good.

That it is.

I wonder what it's like to try and do your own thing and fall flat on your face. I feel sorry for her, now she must reverb back to being a manufactured pop star

Yeah but really, let us look at this objectively. The last record was bad, this record is much better, I don't think people should be losing sleep over it. After all, a lot of people love Breakaway, and that was every bit as calculated as the new record.

I want to agree as well, I mean she des have a better voice than practically all of her contemporaries with the exception of a few. But this album does nothing to set her apart from her contempraries. My December, definitely, but All I Ever Wanted just lumps her right back in with the rest.

Who are you calling her "contemporaries"? Colbie Callait*, Katy Perry, and Sara Barrelies* or something? How could you say she has a better voice than her contemporaries but that doesn't set her apart? It's mainstream pop music, how does having the best voice not set you apart? She took a song made for Katy Perry (I do not hook up) and sung it far better than Perry would have, how is that not saying something?

Really the only people out there in terms of female vocalists that currently rival Kelly's success are people like Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift. They are both pop-country so there really isn't a lot of comparison anyway, outside of Taylor Swift has bad hooks and Kelly has good ones. The rest of the crowd hasn't gotten more than one or two hits, people like Leona Lewis, Jordan Sparks, etc are way more generic than Kelly. Rihanna has had multi hit success, but I don't give her a lot of credit since most of it is built off naggy hooks, dance beats, and guest rappers.

*Spelling errors are acknowledged, but honestly neither one is worth spelling correctly

[WhatJulianSaid]

I dislike ignorance
but its found in the most common people
there's no stopping it

[jcoop05]

I just don't think you are giving some parts of the record enough credit. Really the only eyesore here is "I want you"... "If I can't have you" falls mostly victim to bad track ordering. Why its between those two ballads is beyond me, but really it's not a bad song if you give it a few tries. Think of what that song would have sounded like in the hands of a lesser vocalist, it would have been heavily compressed and the beat would have been played up to a point where the vocals are irrelevant.

Some people are saying that a dancey song like that is "not her style" and doesn't fit, and again, I wouldn't argue that the way it is positioned on the record does not do it any favors, but it doesn't sound like it is trying to be hip to the point where it disregards Kelly's talents. That's the appeal of Kelly, she is modern enough to fit in, but not to the point where she get sucked into the worst trends of the time. Also she has great range and can do ballads just as well as upbeat rockers.

If I had to pick the next weakest track I would have to say "Impossible", but it's really not bad, just more like expected filler. I am not surprised that something like that ended up on the record, but I wouldn't necessarily fault the album for it, since there are a slew of very good songs here.



lololololololol



That it is.



Yeah but really, let us look at this objectively. The last record was bad, this record is much better, I don't think people should be losing sleep over it. After all, a lot of people love Breakaway, and that was every bit as calculated as the new record.



Who are you calling her "contemporaries"? Colbie Callait*, Katy Perry, and Sara Barrelies* or something? How could you say she has a better voice than her contemporaries but that doesn't set her apart? It's mainstream pop music, how does having the best voice not set you apart? She took a song made for Katy Perry (I do not hook up) and sung it far better than Perry would have, how is that not saying something?

Really the only people out there in terms of female vocalists that currently rival Kelly's success are people like Carrie Underwood and Taylor Swift. They are both pop-country so there really isn't a lot of comparison anyway, outside of Taylor Swift has bad hooks and Kelly has good ones. The rest of the crowd hasn't gotten more than one or two hits, people like Leona Lewis, Jordan Sparks, etc are way more generic than Kelly. Rihanna has had multi hit success, but I don't give her a lot of credit since most of it is built off naggy hooks, dance beats, and guest rappers.

*Spelling errors are acknowledged, but honestly neither one is worth spelling correctly
I'm not speaking in terms of success. She does have one of the best voices hands down. But, on My December the material was at least a little bit interesting. Well, about as interesting as it gets for mainstream pop.

I've been a fan of Kelly, but this just sounds like they threw a bunch of songs together and said, "Here you go, do your best." Most of the songs aren't even that catchy.

Christina Aguilera has a better voice than Kelly, and the last couple of songs she released with her Greatest Hits album were atrocious. So,it just goes to show that although it's pop music just having the best voice doesn't do it all the time.

[Everiggs]

Haven't listened to this one yet, but I've always had a softspot for Kelly.

[mallyland]

Your RIYL are way off.

[mallyland]

The first time I heard that "My life would suck without you" song I literally laughed so hard I cried. "Suck" is such an ugly and just wrong word to put in a pop song--let alone the chorus.
I think putting "suck" in a song is very smart -- it's how people talk.

[Nick Le]

Katy Perry co-wrote "Long Shot" and "I Do Not Hook Up" and Matt Theissen of Relient K co-wrote "Long Shot"
Haha oh Matty T and Katy Perry.

[Troggy]

I'm not speaking in terms of success. She does have one of the best voices hands down. But, on My December the material was at least a little bit interesting. Well, about as interesting as it gets for mainstream pop.

I've been a fan of Kelly, but this just sounds like they threw a bunch of songs together and said, "Here you go, do your best." Most of the songs aren't even that catchy.

I do not understand this. The majority of My December was forgettable because the songs didn't have any hooks to them. The only songs that I really like are "Sober", "Can I have a Kiss" (good hook, just about the only one), "Maybe" and "Irvine". She did a good job with the slow numbers, much more intimate and authentic than the professional ditties, but she couldn't write a hook for almost any of the upbeat songs.

The new record is catchy as catchy comes, I'm not sure what you are looking for out of Kelly Clarkson. She came into the music world as a talented vehicle for other people's songs, and that's still what she is. I like that she puts her own touch on her songs, but you have to remember where she came from.

They really nailed the ballads this time around, "Already Gone", "Save You" and "If No One Will Listen" are all very good. Like I said, the record has a few missteps, and one awful song, but once you settle down with it, it is a very enjoyable album.

Christina Aguilera has a better voice than Kelly, and the last couple of songs she released with her Greatest Hits album were atrocious. So,it just goes to show that although it's pop music just having the best voice doesn't do it all the time.

Of course it's not the only factor, but with the female pop vocalist crowd the way it is, the number of truly good singers can be counted on one hand. Regardless of how good a couple of bonus songs on a hits album are, Christina Aguilera will always stand out because of her voice, and so will Kelly Clarkson.

[inyoursea]

Nice review Blake. Always enjoy your reviews regardless of the topic.

[Steve Henderson]

FYI - I think you mean Ryan Tedder, not Teddy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Tedder

[Ryzenfall]

I really like Don't Let Me Stop You but when she sings the word "silly" it does sound silly. "Crazy" would have been cliche but probably sound more smooth.

Then again, weird sounding lyrics can be easier to remember.

[BulleTheory]

rofl

[Cosmic Massacre]

Hmm, I agree with this review. I love Kelly, but I was really disappointed with this.
Don't get me wrong, there are some brilliant tracks here ("Cry", "I Do Not Hook Up", "Don't Let Me Stop You", "Long Shot", and the bonus track "The Day We Fell Apart" is great too), but it just lacks originality.

For example - 'Already Gone', while not a bad song sounds EERILY like Beyonce's 'Halo', and 'Whyyawannabringmedown' seems like one of the few moments on the disk where Kelly sounds like she's having fun with the music she's singing.

There are affecting moments here, and there is fun to be HAD, but My December (probably my favorite Kelly CD) had much more haunting songs, while Breakaway was more of a grabbing-listen. And it feels in the middle for not many of the right reasons.

So..personally:
Kelly = Great.
However this CD is just too hit-and-miss for me as a whole.

[punkrawker515]

her new single sounds like she's trying to be Cher. Seriously, this isn't Europe, techno still isn't cool.

[Blake Solomon]

FYI - I think you mean Ryan Tedder, not Teddy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Tedder

Frick, I sure do. If you're online can you change it? Im in class not paying attention hhaah

[harley7733]

still loads better than most of her contemporaries.
agreed. nuff said

[briXinRhands]

I think putting "suck" in a song is very smart -- it's how people talk.
Not in this case. It sounds so stupid and totally ruins the chorus

[DI Pistola]

Good to know. I was going to be picking up singles from this anyway.

[newfoundmichael]

I think putting "suck" in a song is very smart -- it's how people talk.
It is how people talk, but surely there is a more clever way of saying it without sounding so...I don't even know what; I can't explain it. Kelly Clarkson is just pure awful in my mind.

[ohgodohnoiam]

Most of the criticism of this album is generally applicable to most pop albums. Sure this never reaches the heights of Breakaway, but it easily eclipses most albums from this genre. Her voice is at its best and she's making fun and respectable music.

[carcrashofahart]

lololololololol

that's it? that's your brilliant response? wow!

[Drew Beringer]

While she not as popular Lily Allen is a much better pop artist and and mostly writes her own lyrics
this!

[YouSmellExcited]

Four countiing re-relasing their first album as Old Record. Their music is trendy and scene. I wasn't talking about their fans anyways. Imo fans don't matter the music is what matters and that is why ADTR suck

you think ADTR are scene/trendy yet you like Family Force 5 & chiodos http://i42.tinypic.com/1zzkifc.jpg

[MusicTalks]

No, I was making a reference to Simon Cowell, dude.

ah, i must admit, that reference went right over my head.

Perhaps I could've executed it a little better.

Maybe, something like 'This review is a complete and utter disaster.' - ????

[muzikool]

This is sad what has happened to Kelly, I guess you have to go down before you can reach a new high, maybe this was planned by company executives, if so, clever.

[LongDistanceDrunk]

you think ADTR are scene/trendy yet you like Family Force 5 & chiodos
This music sounds like whales raping each other.

[Laural666]

Im sorry;;
But she sucks!

[thesollopsist]

Wow, big surprise.

[YouSmellExcited]

This music sounds like whales raping each other. ..and htf would anyone know what that sounds like?

[YouSmellExcited]

by listening to ADTR good one. still doubt that's what it sounds like

[jellybeanxtine]

if i can't have you sounds like miley cyrus's fly on the wall. haha...

[hipvee43]

but all the other boys all promised....

[Everiggs]

I can't stop playing "Don't Let Me Stop You"...It's so effing good.

[supersonic182]

I agree wholeheartedly with this review. I bought the album, unfortunately thinking it was going to be as great as her last, and it turned out that I only liked four or five of the songs at maximum. 'I Want You,' is probably one of the worst tracks on there, and I agree, it doesn't even sound like her. Save all of your money and just buy one or two fo the tracks on here. I think a stand out track is 'I do not hook up,' even if the title sounds a bit unappealing, it at least sounds half heartedly original even though it was cowritten by Katy Perry. >_<

[sodamnclever]

I finally gave this a listen, I like it. It's fun and just what I expected. "I Do Not Hook Up" and "Whyyawannabringmedown" are my two favorites. I think I might like her version of "Whyyawannabringmedown" better than the original.