Diva-licious

Kelly Clarkson’s third album My December will be best known as an act of defiance. Clarkson dumped her manager and famously stood up to legendary BMG Music chairman Clive Davis (who didn’t like her angry girl act) but she also made a rock album that’s unapologetically rough around the edges. She’s popular with younger girls so it took guts to go this route and she does so with gusto. The album is a testament to her earnestness as an artist who’s come into her own.Clarkson’s writing on My December is mostly full of angst and frustration, with some glimpses of hope. The CD opens with her as a woman scorned on “Never Again” as she yells, “I hope when you’re in bed with her you think of me”–it worked for Alanis Morrisette and her Jagged Little Pill. With “Irvine” her voice is restrained but lovely, as she sings “Can you feel how cold I am?” It’s obvious there’s some fire.

There aren’t lots of pop-friendly tracks like Clarkson’s previous smash “Since U Been Gone” but there are some catchy ones that can appeal to a broad audience like the upbeat “One Minute.” There’s some wit with an ode to the singer’s favorite scotch as she explains, “So much for true love / I’ll take the Chivas instead.” Conversely, “Sober” provides some needed optimism: “Three months and I’m still sober / Picked all my weeds but kept the flowers.”

My December shows that Clarkson is self-assured, free to be imperfect, and more about emotion than polish. Clarkson leaves little doubt about her artistic integrity and talent. She’s deserving of her status as a pop diva.