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Member since:01.03.2005
Reviews:87
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Kelly Clarkson is the American equivalent of Will Young… no not a gay man who tops the charts. She is the first winner of the USA's Pop Idol. She had a hit with 'Miss Independent' in 2003 and then from Love Actually came 'The Trouble With Love Is' and its growling double a-side 'Low', then she vanished without the album 'Thankful' didn't really hit the top 40.
2005 saw a different story, with Kelly fever. Her second album Breakaway though already available on import in autumn 2004 became a massive seller when it was re-issued after the massive hit 'Since You Been Gone'. Since then she has had a further two massive hits with 'Behind These Hazel Eyes' and 'Because Of You'. But is Breakaway really worth the Grammy Award and Brit Nomination (and PopSalvage Award see the site!)?
'Breakaway' the title track was huge worldwide in Autumn 2004 when it was the lead single from The Princess Diaries 2 reaching number one in America and Australia. It's co-written by Avril Lavigne (Christina Aguilera co-wrote Miss Independent so it must
be Kelly's thing) and is a summery guitary mid tempo piece, much poppier than you would expect from Avril. "I'll spread my wings and learn how to fly, I'll do what it takes till I touch the sky, I'll make a wish, take a chance, make a change and breakaway." 5/5
'Since U Been Gone' was the first single for her promotion in the UK second time around. Hitting number one in the USA and being a top 5 smash globally you can see why. It's rocky pop, with edgy cutting vocals over hard guitars. It's not teeny rock like Ashlee or Hilary it's good mature edgy pop. "Since you been gone, I can breath for the first time." 5/5
Third track is 'Behind These Hazel Eyes' which was the second single and saw Kelly almost kissing herself hmmm! It starts with harsh guitars and drums but simmers down during the verses showing a darker vocal from Kelly. "Here I am once again, I'm torn in to pieces, can't deny, can't pretend I thought you were the one, broken up deep inside, but you won't get to see the tears I cry, behind these hazel eyes." Anastacia would kill for this song. 5/5
It's ballad time for 'Because Of You' the third single. This is a beautiful song 'because of you I am afraid'. It's actually an autobiographical piece and you can hear the emotion in Kelly's voice (she actually cried on the set of the video). The simplicity of the song lies in the piano it seems to just suit her vocals and is so effective. 5/5
One of the best songs on the album for me is 'Gone' (gutted it won't be a single). This is angry and edgy like 'Since U Been Gone' but it seems a lot catchier. The beat is faster and Kelly's vocals are very dominant and powerful. "Always ending, always over, up and down back and forth like a roller coaster, I'm breaking the habit today." 5/5
"It's like you're a drug, it's like you're a demon I can't face down, its like I'm stuck, it's like I'm running from you all the time." So starts 'Addicted' this song starts with a sparse beat and then hits and epic rock chorus almost like Evanescence… no really. 4/5
Another big ballad with 'Where Is Your Heart', it's truly beautiful. Verses are solely Kelly and a piano, then all the strings kick in sweeping through the chorus "where is your heart, cos I don't really feel you", this is another superb stand out track. 5/5
There is a strange stop starting westerny rock start to 'Walk Away', which is destined to be the next single. The sort of rock pop Sheryl Crow needs to be making again. Kelly sings "I'm looking for attention, not another question should you stay or should you go, well if you don't have the answer, why you still standing here, hey, hey, hey… just walk away" like a pro rock singer.5/5
'You Found Me' is more of an atmospheric epic than the other ballads on 'Breakaway'. "You found me when no one else was looking, how did you know where I would be? You broke through all of my confusion, beyond our self doubts but you didn't leave, I guess you saw what no one else could see, you found me." This song shows both Kelly's superb writing skills and her vocal ability. 5/5
Edgy pop returns once more on 'I Hate Myself For Loosing You' can I just point out although all the upbeat songs are rocky pop they aren't samey. The verses in this song have a hint of electro; whereas the chorus's are simple angst filled self-rage. "I hate myself for losing you, what do you do when you look in the mirror and what's staring at you is why he's not here." Very mature vocals and lyrics once more. 5/5
'Hear Me' is a sparse desperate finale. Kelly desperately cries her vocals in a most haunting manner. This is quite Evanescence again, rock with an operatic vocal twist. Kelly is yet again mind blowing vocally, there's a hint of blues in this song that's different from the rest of the album. A haunting epic ending to a superb album. Excellence! 5/5
Overall another must own album for pop fans, indie fans, rock fans you name it. You need this in your CD collection.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: Brilliant range of tracks, superb vocal talents, widely available on the internet. Disadvantages: Some songs a little too similar sounding to other artists.
blonde_girl774 02.11.2005 (02.11.2005)
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Review of Breakaway - Kelly Clarkson
Feb 27th, 2006
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