Music
Kelly Clarkson: 'All I Ever Wanted'
Released on Monday, Mar 9 2009
Published Saturday, Mar 7 2009, 18:57 GMT | By Nick Levine | 35 comments

Elsewhere, the three pillars of the Breakaway sound - heavy guitars, radio-ready production, gloriously unsubtle pop hooks - are all present and correct. Of course, this makes All I Ever Wanted feel like a bit of a retread, especially after Clarkson tried to branch out on 2007's ballsy but commercially unsuccessful My December, but as retreads go this album is remarkably satisfying. Songs like 'I Do Not Hook Up', 'All I Ever Wanted' and 'Cry' have choruses that will fill arenas from Sydney to San Francisco, while even the pair of 'Deluxe Edition' bonus tracks are catchy and well-crafted. Lyrics-wise, there isn't much variety here, with almost every song being about a break-up or reconciliation, but on this form Clarkson could sing the transcript from a Leona Lewis interview and keep you listening.
What's more, the willingness to try something different that Clarkson showed on My December hasn't entirely vanished. A handful of collaborations with OneRepublic's Ryan Tedder have a more electro-infused sound than Clarkson has tried before, with 'If I Can't Have You' sounding a bit like The Killers covering Miley Cyrus's 'Fly On The Wall', while 'Ready' and 'I Want You' draw from The Beatles and 60s girl group pop respectively. Most surprising of all is the snotty pop-punk of 'Whyyawannabringmedown', on which Clarkson snarls the so-daft-it's-brilliant line "I'm not your love monkey".
So, how to view Clarkson's motives here? Well, it's easy to portray All I Ever Wanted as a bit of a sell-out - a return to a tried and tested formula after an album that cost Clarkson her multi-platinum sales figures, her status as an arena-filling live act and even her manager. Then again, playing devil's advocate for a second, could it not be that Clarkson is merely returning to what she does best after working through a few artistic difficulties on My December? Either way, there's no denying the brutal effectiveness of most of these songs and, whatever she may really be thinking, the brilliant way that Kelly Clarkson sings them.

Your Views
35 Comments
Your Responses
Elaine, Ireland, on September 2nd, 2009
I fully agree with this review. Despite the fact that I could listen to her sing ANYTHING, after playing this for a while and then going back to her third c.d. 'My December', I can honestly say that 'All I Ever Wanted' feels like a bit of a retread. It's a bloody good retread, but nothing on there comes even close to 'Sober', 'Irvine' or 'Chivas' on 'My December'. I do love it though, and I think 'Cry' is beautiful. Roll on c.d. 5 is all I say
I fully agree with this review. Despite the fact that I could listen to her sing ANYTHING, after playing this for a while and then going back to her third c.d. 'My December', I can honestly say that 'All I Ever Wanted' feels like a bit of a retread. It's a bloody good retread, but nothing on there comes even close to 'Sober', 'Irvine' or 'Chivas' on 'My December'. I do love it though, and I think 'Cry' is beautiful. Roll on c.d. 5 is all I say
Catriona, Ireland, on August 17th, 2009
I Officially love this album! Every song is amazing, and different. Vocals are amazing. Whyyawannabringmedown is a classic hairbrush hit, and i love 'if no oen will listen. This album makes me want to but Kellys previous albums :)
I Officially love this album! Every song is amazing, and different. Vocals are amazing. Whyyawannabringmedown is a classic hairbrush hit, and i love 'if no oen will listen. This album makes me want to but Kellys previous albums :)
Liam. UK, on August 12th, 2009
It is one the best albums i have I do not hook up is the beast track, none of them are rubbish - BRILLIANT!!!
It is one the best albums i have I do not hook up is the beast track, none of them are rubbish - BRILLIANT!!!
Megs, Sussex, on July 29th, 2009
Love this album! So much better than 'My December'. I was listening to the album on Spotify and ended up downloading every song except one. They're all amazing. Her voice is effortless. One of my favs of the year!
Love this album! So much better than 'My December'. I was listening to the album on Spotify and ended up downloading every song except one. They're all amazing. Her voice is effortless. One of my favs of the year!
bekah, on July 26th, 2009
AMAZING! :D kelly is one of my favourite singers and this album shows why. her vocals are outstanding and all the tracks are likeable. my fav tracks are: i want you, save you and if i cant have you.
AMAZING! :D kelly is one of my favourite singers and this album shows why. her vocals are outstanding and all the tracks are likeable. my fav tracks are: i want you, save you and if i cant have you.
Fernando Banderas, UK, on June 11th, 2009
brillant album, one of the best ive heard in a long time!!! well done kelly xx
brillant album, one of the best ive heard in a long time!!! well done kelly xx
Meggg, on May 15th, 2009
this album is one of the best i have ever owned! 'LONGSHOT' is definatly the best on the album. :)
this album is one of the best i have ever owned! 'LONGSHOT' is definatly the best on the album. :)
Aidan, Dublin, on May 3rd, 2009
A Very good album.I Love the 3 singles "My Life", "Hook" & "Already Gone" but two of my other faves are "Cry" & the fantastic last track "If no one else will listen",both of these just showcase Kelly's amazing vocals.
A Very good album.I Love the 3 singles "My Life", "Hook" & "Already Gone" but two of my other faves are "Cry" & the fantastic last track "If no one else will listen",both of these just showcase Kelly's amazing vocals.
Em, Brum, on April 18th, 2009
Best album of the year so far. Kelly has by far the best voice in the industry and never fails to produce a pop classic
Best album of the year so far. Kelly has by far the best voice in the industry and never fails to produce a pop classic
scarlett kerry, central london, on April 12th, 2009
i personally love all her albums and i think all i ever wanted is the best by farand she deserves to go very far with this amazing album my favouurite is i do not hook up !
i personally love all her albums and i think all i ever wanted is the best by farand she deserves to go very far with this amazing album my favouurite is i do not hook up !
Matthew, Derry, on March 22nd, 2009
Brilliant!
Brilliant!
Tracy, London, on March 18th, 2009
Loooooooooovvvvve it
Loooooooooovvvvve it
Ben Kuwas, Houghton, on March 18th, 2009
I bought this album straight away on iTunes! i love this album so much! evry song is ery catchy with her great vocals! a must buy and should be at no. 1!
I bought this album straight away on iTunes! i love this album so much! evry song is ery catchy with her great vocals! a must buy and should be at no. 1!
Stuart, Ireland, on March 14th, 2009
'already gone' is very similar music to 'halo' beyonce... both written by ryan tedder.. both awesome songs too...
'already gone' is very similar music to 'halo' beyonce... both written by ryan tedder.. both awesome songs too...
Chris, Ireland, on March 12th, 2009
love the album esp alli ever wanted great song. . . wish the reviewer left the leona jibe out though!!!!
love the album esp alli ever wanted great song. . . wish the reviewer left the leona jibe out though!!!!
Nick, Manchester, on March 10th, 2009
I love this album - yes it's going back to what she's done before - but its undoubtedly more mature. Totally different to My December, which wasn't unsuccessful at all (and actually WAS Kelly, as its what she wanted to do), just seems so compared to Breakaway. The two can't seriously be compared. Basically 16 brilliant songs that add to an excellent backlogue of tracks! Go Kelly!
I love this album - yes it's going back to what she's done before - but its undoubtedly more mature. Totally different to My December, which wasn't unsuccessful at all (and actually WAS Kelly, as its what she wanted to do), just seems so compared to Breakaway. The two can't seriously be compared. Basically 16 brilliant songs that add to an excellent backlogue of tracks! Go Kelly!
Julia, Finland, on March 10th, 2009
Absolutely brilliant. This is the reason I fell in love with Kelly Clarkson - her lovely voice and catchy pop songs. My December was quite a letdown for me, I found all the songs there quite boring (well, there were some good songs, but nothing that could compare to Since u been gone, behind these hazel eyes, breakaway... just to mention a few of my favorites). This album is way better than the last one with all of its songs worth listening to! Kelly, my life would suck without you for sure :P.
Absolutely brilliant. This is the reason I fell in love with Kelly Clarkson - her lovely voice and catchy pop songs. My December was quite a letdown for me, I found all the songs there quite boring (well, there were some good songs, but nothing that could compare to Since u been gone, behind these hazel eyes, breakaway... just to mention a few of my favorites). This album is way better than the last one with all of its songs worth listening to! Kelly, my life would suck without you for sure :P.
Sarah, Cambs, on March 10th, 2009
I hope this is a grower because after a couple of listens I'm not bowled over. It's OK but I prefer My December.
I hope this is a grower because after a couple of listens I'm not bowled over. It's OK but I prefer My December.
Jonjo, Nottingham, on March 10th, 2009
Brilliant album. Had it on repeat since the day it leaked. (Don't Worry I also bought my ORIGINAL Copy :P) The album is SO, SO Good! It's a return to form for Kelly, and although 'My December' was a brave and bold move, she should stick to this sorta stuff as it is alot more 'her' :P
Brilliant album. Had it on repeat since the day it leaked. (Don't Worry I also bought my ORIGINAL Copy :P) The album is SO, SO Good! It's a return to form for Kelly, and although 'My December' was a brave and bold move, she should stick to this sorta stuff as it is alot more 'her' :P







i like my life would suck without you and i do not hook up, theyre so catchy!