“Miss Independent,” the lead single from Kelly Clarkson’s Thankful, was co-penned by none other than Christina Aguilera, setting the tone for what was a predominantly R&B-oriented debut (not surprising since this was the girl who snagged the first American Idol title by singing the shit out of Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” and Celine Dion’s “I Surrender,” and with a head cold no less). So it’s telling that the title track from Clarkson’s sophomore effort was co-written by a very different kind of starlet: punk-pop princess Avril Lavigne.
In a decided bid to “break away” from the American Idol template, Clarkson heads in an edgier, rockier direction with Breakaway. The album’s production credits are a who’s-who in the post-Avril pop world, the same names who have contributed to recent stinkers by Hilary, Ashlee, and Lindsay: John Shanks, Kara DioGuardi, Clif Magness. The difference is, Clarkson puts the power in the power hooks (she’s still the best singer to come out of Idol) and she often elevates the album’s vanilla pop-rock productions and hackneyed, by-the-numbers lyrics (sample: “I’d become comfortably numb/Until you opened up my eyes”) above mediocrity.
Breakaway’s second single, the Max Martin-helmed “Since U Been Gone,” is all wristbands and fishnets, with Clarkson doing a damn good impression of Pat Benetar, while tracks like “Addicted,” a collaboration with Ben Moody, and “Hear Me” offer up some electrifying Evanescence-style girl-metal. Though her rocky leanings were hinted at on the less coherent Thankful, Clarkson has always cited Mariah Carey as a primary influence and she still owes a lot to that former powerhouse. No doubt, Clarkson tears it up vocally, and in a way, Breakaway is what Mariah might sound like if she ever decided to rock out.
Since 2001, we've brought you uncompromising, candid takes on the world of film, music, television, video games, theater, and more. Independently owned and operated publications like Slant have been hit hard in recent years, but we’re committed to keeping our content free and accessible—meaning no paywalls or fees.
If you like what we do, please consider subscribing to our Patreon or making a donation.
