Yahoo! Music Album Review

Released on 18/07/05
Label: Sony BMG

It's said that American's do everything bigger and better than everyone else. While, in most instances the second part of the claim is a matter of opinion, when it comes to TV talent shows, there's no question; no one even comes close. "The Popstars" / "Pop Idol" / "Popstars: Rivals" / "X Factor" format may have been British, but it's "American Idol" that's been the out and out hit. Now preparing for its fifth season, the programme looks set to run and run stateside, where as in the UK Simon Cowell's brainchild has to keep changing its name to keep public interest.

Likewise, "American Idol"'s stars have a considerably longer shelf life. Here, Michelle McManus sank like a stone after her debut single - her claim to fame now being she had her own episode of "You Are What You Eat" examining her faeces and staggering intake of junk food - Will Young and Gareth Gates are now comfortably B-list, and as for "X-Factor"'s G4 and Steve Brookstein…bye then. Meanwhile, four years on, "American Idol"'s first winner, Kelly Clarkson here delivers a second album which suggests she's well on her way to being a true Pop Idol.

"Breakaway" is a critical moment in the making of Kelly Clarkson. Her multi-platinum debut, "Thankful", was a safe 'you picked the winner now buy the album' tie-in of the tepid dance-pop, R&B-lite and midtempo schmaltz. The follow-up is her first chance to establish who exactly Kelly Clarkson is.

The answer isn't exactly a revelation, more a reassurance that she and her minders aren't about to squander the opportunity. Ditching the all-bases vagueness of her debut, she pins her colours to an altogether more convincing take on strident female rock. From the angsty skate-pop of lead single "Since U Been Gone", through the MOR chug of "Behind These Hazel Eyes" to the sassy acoustics of "Gone" it's an album of solid FM winners, built on big choruses and an attitude that's more woman scorned that teen-poppet.

Even the obligatory ballads come with a raging conviction and emotional depth. Wailing with believable bitterness, "Where Is Your Heart" soars from breathless to traffic stopping, while "Addicted" is a match for Christina Aguilera's "Beautiful" in the over-blown melancholy stakes.

If not daring, "Breakaway" was the right album for Clarkson to make. It proves that she wasn't just a worthy winner, but capable of being a credible artist in her own right. And it's confirmation, as if any were needed, that when it comes to manufacturing pop stars, America really does do it bigger and better.

    by Dan Gennoe