Kelly Clarkson, the first American Idol winner whose debut Thankful knocked rapper 50 Cent from Billboard's top perch, shows us she is more than just a one-hit sensation with her second album Breakaway.
Comprising mostly pop rock tunes, Breakaway is a much funkier album than Thankful. The guitar riffs are heavier and the drums harder. Above all, Clarkson's singing - which sounds like a cross between Avril Lavigne and Sarah McLachlan - displays a maturity that surpasses most saccharine pop stars.
Title track Breakaway is an uplifting, stylish song co-written by Lavigne. It is followed by explosive songs Since U Been Gone and Behind These Hazel Eyes, two fast-tempo, get-up-and-dance tracks. Surprisingly, the ballads are disappointing, even boring. But Clarkson's beautiful voice soars in the mesmerising final track, Beautiful Disaster, which she performs live.
Clarkson is no William Hung. Despite her average looks, she succeeds because she can sing.
