Why is Kelly Clarkson so angry?

CD Review
Kelly Clarkson
“My December”
RCA Records

Let’s see if I got this straight. Avril Lavigne got happy, while Kelly Clarkson got angry?
American Idol Alum Clarkson’s third CD, My December, hits stores tomorrow and much of it is a side of Clarkson most we haven’t seen before - her angry side.
Now, I have no idea what is going on in Clarkson’s personal life (after she won American Idol she stopped calling me ... actually she didn’t really start before she won ... let’s just say we don’t talk) and KC has managed to stay out of the tabloids, but listening to My December it appears that she was really screwed over by someone.
The first single off the CD, Never Again, (below) is an ode to being jerked around by someone. In it, Clarkson sings (and screams) about being done wrong by her cheating significant other. And she’s angry, so angry.
What’s disturbing is that Never Again is not Clarkson’s only livid rant on My December.
"Hole"(link) has Clarkson screaming lyrics “I’m so far from where I need to be/I’ve given up on faith on everything” and “There’s a hole, inside of me/It’s so cold, slowly killing me” like over gnarled guitars and thundering drums.
The grief-stricken “Haunting” has Clarkson exclaiming she’s “dying inside,” while “Judas” “Don’t Waste Your Time” are (once again) about being screwed over.
From there it gets depressing.
“Can I Have A Kiss” (Link) is pure desperation, “Maybe” is filled with somber introspective revelations and “Sober” isn’t a pretty picture either.
But in all of My December’s painful sadness, there are a few interesting gems that show Clarkson’s life isn’t so bleak. “How I Feel” is an interesting pop gem, much like her “Behind These Hazel Eyes,” and “Yeah” is a sultry jam - still dark, but with a sexy twist.
The highlight of the disc is “Irvine,” a heart-filled ballad that is way to artistic to ever be a single, and the bonus track “Chivas” (Link), a light-hearted tale of preferring the fit of a man’s jeans over his company. Both are excellent examples of what Clarkson does best, and should be doing more of.
But that doesn’t mean “My December” is without merit. Clarkson, who has been bubbly as all get out after winning the first season of Idol, can pull off anger; very well in fact. In my humble opinion, it’s not her strong suit.
But, with My December off of her chest, maybe Clarkson can cheer up and get back to being a singer.



Links courtesy of Mixtape Maestro.