Kelly Clarkson
Breakaway (RCA)
by Marc Hirsh
originally published in
Nashville Scene, July 21-27, 2005
Critic's pick: Kelly Clarkson (with Graham Colton Band) @
Grand Ole Opry
House, Thursday, July 21, 2005
Sure, it’s fun to imagine that Breakaway, with its
themes of escape, heartbreak, deception and
self-loathing, is a not-so-veiled message from Kelly Clarkson to her
(now
former) American Idol puppetmasters.
But here’s the thing: it’s just not necessary, since Breakaway
is a top-notch pop album from start to finish. By now,
Ted Leo’s campaign to make even jaded indie rockers aware of how
shockingly
good “Since U Been Gone” is can be declared a success, but the rest of
the
album is equally worthy of your attention, especially the soulful and
devastating
“Where Is Your Heart.” It’s a guilty pleasure, drained of the guilt. –
Marc Hirsh
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