Kelly Clarkson - Thankful by Kelly Clarkson (2003)

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Music reviews of Thankful by Kelly Clarkson (2003)

Music Review: A Thankful Debut
Rating: 4 Stars

THE TROUBLE WITH LOVE IS- First song outside of MOMENT LIKE THIS that I heard Kelly sing on Regis and Kelly. From that point, I knew the girl could sing and I knew I was going to buy the CD. This bluesy song allows Kelly to show off her vocal blessings. These are definitely the kinda slow songs that I like. Kelly really puts her heart into this one. Produced by Evan Rogers and Carl Sturken. A+

MISS INDEPENDENT- Written by Christina Aguilera, Kelly herself and someone named Rhett Lawrence who produced the song was the first official single from the CD and it ended up in the top 10 of Billboard 100 and was in heavy rotation in video outlets. The song is a mixture of a little of everything. It has some pop elements to it, some rock, some R&B. Initially, I did not care too much for the song but after it grew on me I grew to appreciate it more. It is one of the strongest commercial songs on the CD. A-

LOW- Current single that is a weird choice. She went from a ballad to the poppish second single to this Rockish/Country like song. Yes, these releases have been ecletic but it throws the listening audience off. Plus, this style of music is not what radio is after necessarily. I do not particularly care for this type of music by certain artists. To hear this, i would go to Faith Hill, Martina McBride and that crowd. Kelly handles the song well and shows her rockish country edge for the first time on the CD. I just do not know how commercial the song is. B

SOME KIND OF MIRACLE- Written by schmaltzy songwriter Diane Warren who has written many of the big power ballads of late, the song is one of my favorite. This bluesy jam is just written especially for Kelly's soulful vocals. She tackles this song with the ease of a pro. It is reminiscent of TROUBLE WITH LOVE IS but just less beat heavy. There is a nice part of the song where Kelly just lets go and lets loose. Beautiful to say the least. A+

WHAT'S UP LONELY- I knew that there were going to be some soulful cuts on the CD but I did not know that they were going to be this soulful. The neosoul midtempo produced by Evan Rogers and Carl Sturken really showcases Kelly's soulful vocals. She does not struggle at all with this song that I could not even think of some R&B ladies being able to handle as well. It could be released as a single to Urban radio and make some ends there because it is just so soft and breezy but fun and finger-snappable (is that a word?). A

JUST MISSED THE TRAIN- I was surprised when first hearing the CD that Kelly would jump this fast from such a soulful song to this very rockish song that is so werid. Produced by the same guy who produced LOW, Cliff Magness this sounds like something that Melissa Etheridge or somebody like that would sing. I do not care for the song at all because it is out of place. B-

BEAUTIFUL DISASTER- Produced by Matthew Wilder, this rocklike but also hints of Country song is not out of place because it follows the worst former song. I do not particularly care for this song which sounds like something that Heart or somebody like that would sing. It really is not my style of music especially for Kelly to be singing. B

yOU THOUGHT WRONG- I thought for sure that this song which has a guest appearance by Tamyra Gray (of American Idol Season 1) would be better than this. This Rock/R&B track produced by the Underdogs and Babyface is so weird and plainly overproduced. Kelly and Tamyra's voices kinda blend together and hide behind the heavy background music. The song is ok but is not as good as it could have been. I could see this being performeed live or a video for it but not as a single. Radio is not ready for this. B

THANKFUL- Here is another song that blew my breath away like WHAT'S UP LONELY. Kelly just breaks it down for all the things she is thankful for. It really has a Gospel like midtempo tinge to it and is one of my favorite tracks on the CD. Produced by the mostly reliable Underdogs and Babyface who produced the best tracks on runner up Justin Guarini's CD. The song is neosoul and would be something I would expect from India Arie or Jill Scott someone like this. But Kelly enters herself into their league with this one. Can be released as a single and has a Disney like sound to it. A+

ANYTIME- Produced by the team who produced many of Jessica Simpson's power ballads, Sam Watters & Louis Biancaniello, this is the only real power ballad on the CD. Kelly handles this with ease. I could see Jessica Simpson trying to sing this one but Kelly does not overdo it and there are no extreme histrionics here as the background vocals and the music itself adds depth to the song. A

A MOMENT LIKE THIS and BEFORE yOUR LOVE- These are each like the original but with changed music in it such as a more strong drum presence. On this mildly power ballads, Kelly takes it home especially on A MOMENT LIKE THIS as one can feel her emotion and how she feels about what she is singing about. I do not care for BEFORE your Love too much but it is a beautiful and touchihng song in its own right. A/B+

Overall, Kelly surprised me with this superb debut effort. She handles many of these songs that many others would stuggle with and has entered into my top 5 of female singers only being led by Patti LaBelle, Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion. This girl can truly sing and the music from the rockers to the soulful songs to the midtempos to the big ballads are just something for everybody.

Description of Thankful by Kelly Clarkson (2003)

Broadway & Vocalists CDs

• Music > Styles
• Pop
• Rock