Review: "All I Ever Wanted"

In the spirit of exploring new things, here is the first installation in a new area of Rants & Raves: music reviews! Being a fairly musical person myself, I enjoy sharing my favorite artists and discovering the newest must-listens.

This week: All I Ever Wanted, fourth album from original American Idol Kelly Clarkson

Let me admit up front: I have always been a Kelly Clarkson fan, though I'm convinced that she was flat at the end of the album version of "A Moment Like This". It's okay, we all make mistakes. Breakaway, her sophomore album, has been in my favorite albums rotation, and after hearing "My Life Would Suck Without You" on the radio I was hopeful that her newest album would soon join the ranks.

Clarkson does not disappoint.

All I Ever Wanted is a bit ballad heavy, the perfect album to put on when you're dealing with hurt feelings or an ended relationship. Songs like "Cry" and "Already Gone" have lyrics that hit the heart, and the vocals are rich without being strained. Clarkson's pipes make her a phenomenal belter, but I'm glad to hear in this album that the focus is on more pure singing instead of the near-shouting that was a little too prominent on Breakaway.

Still, we remember that Miss Kelly has a fierce, edgy side with "Whyyawannabringmedown" and "Tip Of My Tongue". The beats make you want to get up and dance, and the lyrics are catchy. These and the second radio single, "I Do Not Hook Up", make this a staple album for the road trip or drive around town with the girls -- hell, even your mom might sing along. Mine will!

All in all, All I Ever Wanted has a little bit of something for everybody and every mood. I think this album is the sort of quality work that will cement her reputation as a serious artist, and I can't wait to see what else she has to offer.

Buy the album now at Amazon or get it on iTunes

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Now playing: Kelly Clarkson - I Want You
via FoxyTunes
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