Kelly Clarkson's new album, All I Ever Wanted, should probably be titled The Great Compromise. After 2004's multi-platinum, Grammy-winning album Breakaway, Clarkson fell flat on her face in 2007 with a highly-publicized spat with RCA head honcho Clive Davis and a much maligned (and extremely underrated) album, My December. Fast forward to 2009, and the original American Idol is back, now (supposedly) getting along with Davis and ready to reclaim her title as the reigning Queen of Pop.
All I Ever Wanted is an obvious truce between Davis and Clarkson, and it's a win-win for everyone. It's almost obvious which tracks Clarkson picked for the album and which were Davis' favorites. Several songs are heavily-influenced by 2008 Top 40 artists like Colbie Caillat ("I Want You"), Katy Perry ("Long Shot"), and Sara Bareilles ("Ready"), but in every instance Clarkson proves that her vocal ability is something those artists can only dream of. Despite the record label's heavy-handed touch, Wanted's most radio-friendly anthems ("My Life Would Suck Without You" and "I Do Not Hook Up") are undoubtedly Clarkson. Even with all of the bubble gum pop, Clarkson still manages to showcase her introspective side on self-penned ballads like "Impossible" and "Already Gone."
Ultimately, if All I Ever Wanted proves one thing, it's that all Clarkson ever wanted was to be a singing superstar, and the album leaves no doubt that, yeah, our life would probably suck without her.
Grade: A-
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