After the Page Six stories about the power struggles surrounding Kelly Clarkson’s third record, “My December” – from Clive Davis’ demand that it be less rock and more pop to her summer tour going kaput – the album finally arrives Tuesday without a hitch. After listening, you have to wonder what all the bitching was about. It’s hardly the worst CD an American Idol has released (that dubious honor goes to Taylor Hicks). As Simon might say, “December” is “just OK.”
Since the CD doesn’t have a bunch of great songs, and Clarkson’s voice isn’t all that memorable, there’s little to draw you back for a second listen. That said, this album will please Kelly’s built-in fan base because it breaks no new ground and is a clear continuation of her generic Patty Smyth-Pat Benatar pop-rock style. There’s even a dose of deja vu in “Hole,” which echoes with the industrial style Evanescence guitarist Ben Moody brought to her last disc.
Because this record is more of the same, you can’t help being suspicious that her spat with RCA was merely manufactured edge, straight out of the “American Idol” playbook.
It should be noted Clarkson wrote the lyrics to all 13 tracks. So this is a personal record. What we learn about K.C. is she’s been double-crossed in love and she’s pissed. She tries to pull heartstrings in songs that boo-hoo about losing in love, but Clarkson is most convincing when she’s angry like in the single “Never Again.” “My December” does have a couple of sugary radio-ready songs, but it’s the joyous secular gospel of “Yeah” that almost gets under your skin.
Download: “Yeah”
Kelly Clarkson
“My December”
RCA