Kelly Clarkson: Breakaway

Little Miss "First American Idol" managed to do something that none other has been able to: Kelly Clarkson has grown out of the shadow of "Idol" and become a genuine, enjoyable pop star.

Breakaway is a just-shy-of-45-minutes guilty pop pleasure for American culture. No one wants to admit they enjoy it, but any one of her not-saccharine, broken heart tunes makes you want to tap your foot and sing along. Sure, you won't catch anyone belting Breakaway, but you're guaranteed to hear Since U Been Gone or Walk Away being hummed, sung, tapped, drummed.

Some of the tunes are over produced poptastic music, but others are gems, straddling some pop-rock or pop-jazz lines, trying to channel the femal-vocalists of yesteryear. Addicted brings up a strong feeling of Fiona Apple, while Walk Away showcases her raw power as she definitely comes in the vicinity of Christina Aguilera's voice, powered down a notch or two.

In the End: If you get past some of the painfully cutesy love songs, Breakaway manages to do something that most top40 pop albums don't do -- transcend some musical barriers and appeal to a broad group of people. It's not so much that it's not offensive, it's just strangley enjoyable. Even if Clarkson was once an "American Idol." I'll forgive her... for now.

On the Web: As always, Hit up the Hype Machine for tracks. Also, pay close attention to Paula's Smokin' Kelly's Doobie, a mash-up containing Paula Abdul, Deep Purple, Kelly Clarkson, and the Doobie Bros.

Technorati Tagged: 2004 | Kelly Clarkson | Pop Music | American Idol