All I Ever Wanted; Kelly Clarkson

Kelly Clarkson’s fourth studio album All I Ever Wanted was no doubt one of the most anticipated releases expected during 2009. After the numerous controversies that surrounded the song writing talent behind her third studio album My December, the songs featured in this album were written by the dark times that Clarkson went through her Breakaway Tour. Along with the conflicts, there was also an on going feud with Clarkson’s record label who wanted her to pursue a direction similar to her second album Breakaway.

Clarkson refused to take it that way and eventually settled down with the album she wanted. The record did well in her circle but failed to generate as well as her previous album. Songs like Never Again and Don’t Waste Your Time were good starters but later on it didn’t give as much as the people hoped for knowing how terrific Clarkson really is. Besides the given history, another important factor that had people waiting on their toes for this album was the fact that Kelly has done a couple of tracks in collaboration with One Republic frontman, Ryan Tedder; who has been previously identified by hits like Bleeding Love by Leona Lewis and Love Like This by Natasha Bedingfield.

All I Ever Wanted totally strips down Clarkson to the same brilliance that was noted in Breakaway. I'm not a big fan of the cover art as Clarkson definitely seems photo-cropped and the background is too psychedelic for my taste. But given the pop, fun commerical feel to the album it goes along with it really well.

The album starts off with My Life Would Suck Without You which also happens to be the first single off this record, and this is the perfect starting no doubt. The track gets your blood pumping with its catchy beat and the brilliant songwriting of Dr. Luke and Max Martin who gave her the more refined tracks in Breakaway. The song made billboard history by jumping from #97 to #1 breaking the record previously set by Beautiful Liars from Beyonce and Shakira in 2008(And in no way does this have to do with gyrating hips and seductive dancing). The video made its debut on January 28^th. This video clearly depicts why Clarkson sets herself apart from the million of others female singers out there. She doesn’t need to put on an outfit worth millions for a song; she simply uses her vocal ability.

I Do Not Hook Up is the second track from the album is written by newest American Idol Kara DioGuardi and the very famous Katy Perry. This song has the most beautiful starting verses ever. It builds up nicely as it moves towards the chorus and leaves you dancing on the floor. A purely commercial track that will no doubt creep into iPods all over the world along with the rest of the album.

Cry is a slow power ballad that gives you a softer touch of the album. Though Breakaway is still my favorite ballad from her but this one is quite a tough competitor for the title. The heart breaking lyrics touch the chords instantly and her vocals do the remaining magic.

Don’t Let Me Stop You is the fourth track and it’s just the right medicine after a slow track like Cry. It is built along the same lines as Since U Been Gone but out stripes it by a mile. And I have a sneaky feeling this just might be the second single from the album. Every single cheated-on soul is going to feel right at home with this track and they can have a nice time listening to it while throwing darts at their ex’s pin-ups. This is my second most favorite track from the album.

The fifth track is the title track, All I Ever Wanted. Though it starts really silently but the moment Clarkson starts singing you can’t help tapping your feet. It’s typically catchy and irresistibly sing-along song. The chorus blows away her powerhouse vocal and puts up another tack of reasoning as to why Clarkson won the first season and helped the show find more winners like Carrie Underwood and David Cook.

Already Gone happens to be my favorite track from the entire album. The moment I had listened to it for the first time I was hoping that this would be selected as this year’s farewell track. This is seriously uplifting and it’s my request to all of you to take a sneak at it’s lyric. If this doesn’t make you start moving forward then you just haven’t listened to it properly. This track is the shining star of the entire album. A possible factor to it’s brilliance is probably the fact that it’s written and produced by Tedder.

If I Can’t Have You is the second track from the album to which Ryan Tedder has contributed. Frankly speaking this track was somewhat of a disappointment to me. This song utilizes heavily the vocoder effect which almost nearly every other person in the industry happens to be using. Clarkson’s vocal prowess isn’t properly delivered. If it’s meant to be a dance track it’s okay, since you really don’t need to pay attention to the lyrics but just groove to the beat. It’s merely a filler for the next track, Save You. This is the third ballad from the album. The only thing I can say about it that it’s haunting and beautiful. The songwriting process certainly involved a lot of thought that comes out. No doubt a brilliance on Ryan Tedder’s part.

Whyyouwannabringmedown is the ninth track of the album. And guys is this a blood pumper! If you’re a fan of collecting songs that will make you want to bang your head then this track definitely deserves a spot on your playlist. It’s fast! It’s contemporary! It’s now! Just be careful around the time the chorus starts because if you get too much in the vibe you’re going to hurt your neck really bad. Ouch!

Long Shot is a song that seems as it’s written by Katy Perry. Honestly speaking, even before I had found out who had written it I thought “Man, this song should have been sung by Katy!” But have no worries, Clarkson works her magic as well. Impossible is yet another Clarkson and Tedder co-operative work. Lyrics are superb; this is the song which caught my attention from the first second it got to my ear drum. There’s something about this song that clicks in your mind and you can relate to it.

Ready is so not the song I would have expected to find in a Clarkson album. This song is like a Natasha Bedingfield track with repetitive drum beats and a simple rhythm. It’s good but not great. Another power ballad or heart break number could have done a better job.

Ever heard one of those cheesy sixties number from Disney where the background singers really get a good chance at their 15 minutes of fame?! Well this is exactly what I get in my mind from the thirteenth track I Want You. This is a big disappointment!

If No One Will Listen is a beautiful track. It will instantly crawl into your mind and you will find yourself having your heartbeats fused with the tune of this song. It’s just so good!

Now if you have had the chance to own the Deluxe Edition then a track worth lending your ear to is Tip Of My Tongue. Left up to me, I would have swapped it with I Want You any day of the week. But what the heck, it’s fine. Coming back to it, this track in the starting gives you a hip hop feel with the foot stomping and clapping noises but Clarkson insures that it does it not only stay to her zone but roots itself firmly there.

The Day We Fell Apart and Can We Go Back seem like the track that could’ve been on the album but then the album would have had too much heartbreak stuff to it’s theme and gone quite opposite to the title of the album since no sane person under the sun wants a heartbreak every now and then.

All I Ever Wanted is certainly a keeper no matter whether you’ve been a Clarkson fan over the years or not! I’ve already gotten two of my friends to get hooked on her!

Copyright © Saad Khan 2009 (Karachi, Pakistan; mailto:saadikk87@hotmail.com)