//Neon Reviews: Kelly Clarkson – All I Ever Wanted//

Catchy hooks? Check! Addictive melody? Yes! Dynamic vocals? Also there. All are the ingredients for the successful return to Pop music for the original American Idol, Kelly Clarkson.

Clarkson abandoned the world of light, mainstream goodness for a darker, edgier Rock turn on her 2006 release My December, much to her labels dismay. After the album failed to live up to her previous work, it was time for Kelly to return home to the sound that made her a household name. Not only did Kelly return home, she knocks the door down with the release of her new album All I Ever Wanted.

Pop perfections such as title-track All I Ever Wanted, first single My Life Would Suck Without, and the Katy Perry co-written I Do Not Hook Up could easily be found on Kelly’s breakthrough sophomore set Breakaway. She masterfully inserts Rock elements into numbers like the guitar heavy Don’t Let Me Stop You and the manic Whyyawannabringmedown.

One thing that hasn’t changed about Kelly during her career is her way of evoking pure emotion into her songs. For this reason, her ballads become true stand outs. “Is it over yet/Can I open my eyes/Is this as hard as it gets/Is this what it feels like to really cry?” Kelly sings on the chorus to Cry. She’s reeled you in and you cannot help but feel what she feels.

Her critics and fans will be pleased with the overall sound of the album. It skillfully blends the worlds of Pop and Rock to give you the Kelly we’ve all been missing—just with a little more attitude. While we appreciate what she tried to do with My December, it’s clear Kel has learned from the old saying: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

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