themightybee (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
themightybee) wrote2007-06-09 04:24 pm
themightybee) wrote2007-06-09 04:24 pm
Entry tags:
My December.
I, like most of the free world, have gotten my hands on Kelly Clarkson's new album, My December. I've read an equal amount of reviews by people who hated it by those who loved it, so I started listening with no prejudgments.
First, let me say that I think the second half of the album is FAR superior to the first. If you switched the positioning of "Sober" and "Yeah" I'd have no need for anything before "Maybe".
01. Never Again - First single. I liked it a lot at first but quickly grew tired of it. There's a Dave Aude remix that I still adore, however, so the song isn't entirely lost on me. ;)
02. One Minute - No. Nononono. No. I didn't like it one bit, which is sad because I usually like the style's fast-paced nature.
03. Hole - I could see myself blasting this in the car, but the chorus doesn't have much of a hook, and that bugs me.
04. Sober - Second single. Proof that there's a reason to continue listening on. I don't agree with the "My Immortal" comparisons I've seen others make ("My Immortal" has a much more somber sound), but they're similar in the sense that "Sober", while not typically a sound heard on radio, can gain a lot of play from popularity.
05. Don't Waste Your Time - I like the chorus's hook, but that's about it.
06. Judas - I'm not sure if it's my sound system or what, but Kelly's voice in this song hurt my ears. I had to move on halfway through the first chorus.
07. Haunted - Suicide is absurdly reoccurring in my life, and that's enough to make me skip the track. Beautiful song, but it's not a subject matter I want to sing along with.
08. Be Still - Sweet song, but, for me, it's kind of forgettable.
09. Maybe - I'm so glad this made the album! I remember when this was previewed during last summer's tour and really loving it.
10. How I Feel - Someone else said this has a bit of a Go-Go's vibe to it, and I agree. It's less "We Got The Beat", though, and more "This Town". I promise you that is a good thing.
11. Yeah - I want to throw this song out the window, run outside to my car and run it over repeatedly. I hated it when Kelly previewed it, and I hate it now. That long "Yeeeeeeeeeah" makes my ears want to fold in. Hatehatehate.
12. Can I Have A Kiss? - Favorite track! This, of course, means that it, like my favorites on Thankful ("Just Missed The Train") and Breakaway ("Addicted"), won't ever be released to radio. Sigh. It's such an awesome track though, and it reminds me why I prefer female musicians above other performers.
13. Irvine - I love a soft voice and a simple guitar (see also Kendall Payne). Kelly's performance is so understated, and I'm glad there aren't any mighty power vocals. It's perfect as-is. It's also one of the few songs I feel has mature, adult lyrics.
14. Chivas - Bonus track. The irony of having both "Chivas" and "Sober" as song names on the same album aside, it's a fun song. The sound is similar to "Irvine" but the lyrics are fun and bratty and clever, and it's good for a giggle.
Clearly, I'm 50/50 on the album, but that doesn't mean I think it's bad. Whatever ANYONE thinks of it, Kelly faught tooth and nail against her label heads to get My December released. She knows it's not a commercial album, and she's okay with that. She simply wants her vision seen, which she succeeded in, so she's already won.
First, let me say that I think the second half of the album is FAR superior to the first. If you switched the positioning of "Sober" and "Yeah" I'd have no need for anything before "Maybe".
01. Never Again - First single. I liked it a lot at first but quickly grew tired of it. There's a Dave Aude remix that I still adore, however, so the song isn't entirely lost on me. ;)
02. One Minute - No. Nononono. No. I didn't like it one bit, which is sad because I usually like the style's fast-paced nature.
03. Hole - I could see myself blasting this in the car, but the chorus doesn't have much of a hook, and that bugs me.
04. Sober - Second single. Proof that there's a reason to continue listening on. I don't agree with the "My Immortal" comparisons I've seen others make ("My Immortal" has a much more somber sound), but they're similar in the sense that "Sober", while not typically a sound heard on radio, can gain a lot of play from popularity.
05. Don't Waste Your Time - I like the chorus's hook, but that's about it.
06. Judas - I'm not sure if it's my sound system or what, but Kelly's voice in this song hurt my ears. I had to move on halfway through the first chorus.
07. Haunted - Suicide is absurdly reoccurring in my life, and that's enough to make me skip the track. Beautiful song, but it's not a subject matter I want to sing along with.
08. Be Still - Sweet song, but, for me, it's kind of forgettable.
09. Maybe - I'm so glad this made the album! I remember when this was previewed during last summer's tour and really loving it.
10. How I Feel - Someone else said this has a bit of a Go-Go's vibe to it, and I agree. It's less "We Got The Beat", though, and more "This Town". I promise you that is a good thing.
11. Yeah - I want to throw this song out the window, run outside to my car and run it over repeatedly. I hated it when Kelly previewed it, and I hate it now. That long "Yeeeeeeeeeah" makes my ears want to fold in. Hatehatehate.
12. Can I Have A Kiss? - Favorite track! This, of course, means that it, like my favorites on Thankful ("Just Missed The Train") and Breakaway ("Addicted"), won't ever be released to radio. Sigh. It's such an awesome track though, and it reminds me why I prefer female musicians above other performers.
13. Irvine - I love a soft voice and a simple guitar (see also Kendall Payne). Kelly's performance is so understated, and I'm glad there aren't any mighty power vocals. It's perfect as-is. It's also one of the few songs I feel has mature, adult lyrics.
14. Chivas - Bonus track. The irony of having both "Chivas" and "Sober" as song names on the same album aside, it's a fun song. The sound is similar to "Irvine" but the lyrics are fun and bratty and clever, and it's good for a giggle.
Clearly, I'm 50/50 on the album, but that doesn't mean I think it's bad. Whatever ANYONE thinks of it, Kelly faught tooth and nail against her label heads to get My December released. She knows it's not a commercial album, and she's okay with that. She simply wants her vision seen, which she succeeded in, so she's already won.
great blog :)
(Anonymous) 2007-06-10 12:40 am (UTC)(link)just wanted to say great blog from a neutral perspective :)
my fave has to be How I Feel and I feel it's got a No Doubt vib (see sunday morning, spiderwebs) and a bit of Joan Jett (Bad Reputation).
yep.
but i disagree with the Be Still being forgettable. it's my favourite ballad on their. it's sooo sad and moving.
and yeah?! yeah, i hated the concert versions on youtube, but this version is awesome. love the extra horns.
also, i think judas drags you in right from the get go.
i could go on and on, and it sounds like you've read tons of reviews already, but just wanted to let you know how i felt after i read your blog. :)
thanks :)
Re: great blog :)
I have read a lot of reviews, and I realize that I'm in the minority with "Be Still". I guess it's just not my style!
Just out of curiosity, how did you come across my journal? I don't often receive comments from non-Livejournal members. :)
no subject
no subject
I've posted this elsewhere as well, so download it while it's hot. ;)
no subject
no subject
no subject
no subject
As for "Never Again," I found that I loved it when she sang it on Idol, but I'm so-so on the recorded version. I wonder if it's because her vocals are studio-polished in it, whereas I liked the raw, slightly scratchy, rocker chick sound she had when she did it live.
no subject
Oh, and can I have a kiss is my favorite too. :)