Breakaway
click the image to get it in cd-cover size
| Release Date: |
November 30, 2004 |
| Label: |
RCA |
| Rating: |
4.5 |
Description: Kelly Clarkson could have played her
American Idol-propelled career much differently, languishing in the role of dippy ingénue or shunting her musical development by leaning too heavily on overnight stardom. Instead she dug in her heels and allowed good sense (or a good manager) to steer, and somewhere Simon Fuller and the rest of the TV gang ought to be smiling. Credit
Breakaway, which couldn't be more aptly titled--the sophomore effort represents a seismic split from the thin if pretty debut,
Thankful. Here we encounter Clarkson as superstar, with the humility that made her likable on the first disc tucked tightly under her arm. First single and leadoff track "Breakaway" topped the pop charts on arrival, and its rock-friendly thumps, dips, and rolls don't wear out their welcome. Instead,they blend into the firestorm of beats and guitars that is "Since U Been Gone," another shout-it-out rocker. Those songs set the tone for the rest of the disc in all its fury: The innocence is long gone, "Addicted" and "Hear Me" say. The big, expressive voice ringed by the occasional high-pitch trill--the one that prompted millions to get behind her on
Idol--doesn't dip entirely off the radar, though. On "Where Is Your Heart" and the stunning live closer "Beautiful Disaster," it's there in full force--a hint, maybe, that despite the wide, smart career step
Breakaway represents, her fans come first.
-Tammy La Gorce
Tracklist of Breakaway
Reviews:
A day in the life...
6 A.M. :::radio alarm goes off:::
"Since u been Goooooone, I can breathe for the first time!"
:::shuts off alarm, hops in shower. turns on shower radio:::
"I'll spread my wings and I'll learn how to fly, I'll do what it takes, till I touch the sky"
7 A.M. :::gets in car, turns on a hip-hop station:::
"How come I never hear you say, that I just wanna be with you?"
8 A.M. :::arrives at work, radio is on:::
"Behind these hazel eyes!"
9 A.M. :::changes radio station to Gospel station:::
"Wanna feel the warm breeze, sleep under the palm trees..."
12 PM. :::lunch break, turns on rock station:::
"You had your chance you blew it"...
5 PM. :::time to go home, lets put on the dance station:::
"La-da-da-da-dada, La-da-da-da-dada, La-da-da-da-dada"
7 PM. :::lets turn on VH1:::
"SINCE U BEEN GONE!!!"
9 PM... < I didn't make it that far...
Point is, Kelly Clarkson is an overexposed, overplayed, overrated media w... umm... you get the point. And that thing with the hip-hop station- thats true. I DID hear Since U Been Gone on a hip-hop station before.
I LOVE THIS CD!
This and Ashlee are neck and neck at the best CD's I have!
Breakaway 5/5
Since U been gone 6/5
Behind These Hazel Eyes4/5
Because of You 5/5
Gone 4/5
Addicted 4/5
Where is your Heart 4/5
Walk Away 4/5
You Found Me 100000000/10 [my favorite song on song]
I hate myself for losing you 4/5
Hear me 4/5
Beautiful Disaster 4/5
Oh, brother.....
Hmm....first of all, I treat with skepticism any CD that is created with a (undestandably slick) manufacturing ploy. Check out some of the songs on this CD, and you will see why so many of these songs are catchy. Kelly writes three of the songs on this CD, and since someone has made the observation that she sounds like Avril Lavigne, that's not a coincidence, since Ms. Lavigne actually penned one of the songs on this CD. The rest of the songs were written by people who had hits about twenty years ago (Matthew Wilder being one of note) and have graduated to pop producers, or are simply reaching middle age and sick of the limelight. If you want ultra manufactured pop drivel, this CD is for you. If not, stay away from it.