Album Review: Kelly Clarkson – “Stronger”

After winning our hearts on the inaugural season of ‘American Idol,’ Kelly Clarkson‘s transformation from reality talent show contestant to a full-fledged superstar is nothing short of remarkable.

Clarkson is the second-most successful American Idol, with sales exceeding 10 million in the U.S. Her fifth LP, Stronger, picks up where her Grammy-winning sophomore album, Breakaway, and 2007′s tepidly received My December left off. A confident, more self-aware Clarkson displays her multi-layer pipes over heavy pop-rock production on the 13-track set.

As with most of her material, Stronger is a Top 40 radio music director’s dream – filled with pop-rock mid-tempos, moody ballads, and even ventures into the electro-pop realm on “Einstein.” “I may not be Einstein/But I know/Dumb plus dumb equals you,” sings Clarkson on the Toby Gad, Bridget Kelly, James Fauntleroy-written cut. As cheesy as it may sound, it works.

It’s evident from the album’s title, empowerment is the name of the game. Perhaps even more evident on “You Can’t Win,” which she describes as her favorite. “If you’re thin/Poor little walking disease/If you’re thick/They’re all screaming obese/If you’re straight/Why aren’t you married yet/If you’re gay/Why aren’t you waving a flag.”
While Stronger isn’t Clarkson’s best work — Breakaway maintains that title — the album is another solid effort from the 29-year old singer.

Album Highlights

“What Doesn’t Kill You (Stronger)”

“Einstein”

“Hello”

“The War Is Over”

“Let Me Down”

“You Can’t Win”

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