Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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141 of 161 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Have another listen . . . A solid debut, May 25, 2003
The "pop fluff" accusations are unfounded. Anyone that has dimissed Kelly's album as pure "fluff" has clearly not listened to the entire album. In fact, they probably dismissed it before even listening to the two or three songs that they actually heard. The fact is that for a pop star (ahem, "POP star"... get it? as in an American Idol, or Pop Idol... as in, what that whole contest was about) her CD is quite listenable and enjoyable. Of course it's pop music. What were you expecting? Rock-rap? Country? Opera? Come on, folks. I will admit that I had to listen to the CD a few times to get into it, but like I always say, really good music is not immediately accessible. It's SUPPOSED to take a few times around. Here's my song-by-song analysis:1. The trouble with love - 4/5 - Nice, soulful song that displays her vocal range. 2. Miss Independent - 2/5 - A HORRIBLE first single. Who makes these decisions anyway? The song itself is ok, even those it operates only on "talk" and "shout." It just doesn't fit here and there are way better songs that could be first singles. There's a reason Christina didn't use this song. 3. Low - 5/5 - One of the best songs. Has a rock-pop edge to it. Very Sheryl Crow. Plus, Kelly just sounds great on this. 4. Some kind of miracle - 3/5 - Not one of Diane Warren's best. But it's decent and it gives Kelly something to sing solidly. 5. What's up lonely - 4/5 - Great R&B-pop song. This is the type of song I was hoping to hear on Kelly's CD. And thankfully, instead of filling the album with songs like this, this is the only one of its kind. (okay, maybe the first song sounds a bit like this) 6. Just missed the train - 4/5 - Another rockier edge. Good tune. 7. Beautiful Disaster - 4/5 - Guitar-driven pop. This song, "low," and "just missed the train" are not songs I would have expected to be on here, but they're great and they're perfect for Kelly. 8. You Thought Wrong - 5/5 - Definitely a pop song, but even this has both rock and r&b influences. Tamyra Gray appears here in a song about a boy that's done two girls wrong. At first I had a problem with the fact that it's hard to distinguish when Tamyra is singing and when Kelly is singing. But the song is so great it doesn't matter. Tamyra sounds great. Very "the boy is mine." 9. Thankful - 4/5 - Although Kelly sounds great on those pop songs with a rock edge, this is the type of song that was made for her to sing. Slower tempo, r&b influenced. 10. Anytime - 5/5 - This should be a single. Because it would go to #1. Another song that's perfect for her, and she's sounds great. Almost a gospel feel to it, but very much staying within its pop powerhouse kind of range. 11 & 12 - A Moment like this & Before your love - both 4/5 - I was going to give these a 3 out of 5 just because I'm so sick of them. The "new mix" isn't much of a mix (people have been expecting dance remixes... come on people, that's ridiculous, they'd never do that). But it's enough of a new mix that her voice can breathe a bit without being locked into that slick oily kind of pop sound. If you didn't like them before, you won't like them now... but if you did, they're still enjoyable. Although similar, each song has it's own sound. Give it a try. And then another.
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36 of 39 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Thankful" for a worthy album from this amazing star!, April 15, 2003
Kelly Clarkson's debut effort blows her competition out of the water. With a mix of R&B, Blues, Jazz, Dance, and even some Alternative, this girl is the definitive pop star, and she can be damn proud of it. She is NOT to be compared to the likes of Avril Lavigne or Britney Spears, for her voice reaches astronomical levels not normally heard from young artists in mainstream pop music. Her strong, emotional voice brings to mind a young Celine or Whitney, only with it's own distinctive qualities, and the songs on this album are all worthy of her astonishing pipes.
Highlights of this album include: "Miss Independent,"the first single; "Anytime," a Celine-worthy, emotional power-ballad; "Just Missed the Train," a guitar-driven pop song with great, meaningful lyrics; "Thankful," the title track, which brings to mind Alicia Keys; "You Thought Wrong," Kelly's collaboration with fellow American Idol Star Tamyra Gray; "Beautiful Disaster," another guitar track that is reminiscent of Sheryl Crow; and my personal favorite, "Some Kind of Miracle," a beautiful, midtempo jazzy number.
Other great songs include "The Trouble With Love Is," "Low," "What's Up Lonely," and of course, making an encore performance, her stickily sweet, yet strong, AI ballads, "Before Your Love," and "A Moment Like This."
With her debut album, Kelly Clarkson has established herself as a true artist. She has not been molded by her management, but has followed her own instincts to create the most amazing debut album in years. I am looking forward to hearing from her for many years to come.
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29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Extremely 'Thankful', April 15, 2003
By A Customer
A fan of Kelly since the moment I first heard her, I have been waiting for this CD since September when she won American Idol. I can say that Kel sure did not disappoint me! This album is completely eclectic and every single song sounds different than the last. Except, of course, for the "supposed" mixes of AMLT and BYL.01.) "The Trouble With Love Is" starts the album off with a familiar sound. Kelly's singing a bluesy ballad much like those she did on AI. The song focuses on the aspects of love and is awesome. {9/10}
02.) "Miss Independent" is the album's first single and is a completely new R&B sound for Kel fans. The song is off the hook, there's not much else to say! {10/10}
03.) "Low" talks of a guy that let Kelly down and has a rock feel to it. It doesn't really stand out, but is a solid track. {9/10}
04.) "Some Kind Of Miracle" is another ballad...possibly the weakest but in no way bad. The vocals are amazing, it's just the background music that's kinda ugh. {9/10}
05.) "What's Up Lonely" talks about how she's lonely and wishes heartache would find someone else to keep company. It's a more mellow song. {9/10}
06.) "Just Missed The Train" sounds kinda like a Michelle Branch song. The background music only adds to the flawless vocals. {10/10}
07.) "Beautiful Disaster" is the weakest song in my opinion. Something about the 80s feel and the lyrics kinda put me off. I like the song, but not as well as the others. {8/10}
08.) "You Thought Wrong" is my favorite song off the album. It features Tamyra Gray and has a plot similar to "The Boy Is Mine". This guy has been playing Kelly and Tamyra and they found out. The verses are kinda like R&B and the choruses are definitely ROCK. This song is perfect and should be the next single. {10/10}
09.) "Thankful" is kinda self-explanatory. It's unique and I've never heard a song like it in my life. It sounds like an extremely long interlude! {8/10}
10.) "Anytime" is the last new song on the album and is also in From Justin To Kelly. This is the strongest ballad and expresses how she feels about that special person in her life and how she wants him to know she'll be his endless support. {10/10}
Now to the pointless "mixes" of "A Moment Like This" and "Before Your Love"...personally I hear no difference. I still love both songs, but they are certainly not new mixes. This album shows that Kelly is very versitile and has absolute staying power. It's quite the debut and is the best album I've heard in a while. It is easy to listen to and transitions smoothly. She has the voice of an angel and the songs show that off. If you don't already have this album after 19 hours of it's release...I don't know what you're waiting on!
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