Idol Chatter & Voice Views

When Kelly Clarkson released her “All I Ever Wanted” album in 2009, the happy go-lucky lead single, “My Life Would Suck Without You,” danced all the way to number one.

Now she’s back with “Stronger,” an album where a title along the lines of “My Life Sure Sucked with You” would have been just as appropriate.

I mean, really, if you’re a lady done wrong by love, there’s likely an anthem here to fit your situation.

Your ex-boyfriend was too controlling?  Try “Mr. Know it All.”  A fair-weather lover?  Try “Let Me Down.”  Afraid of commitment? Try “Breaking Your Own Heart.”  Too distant?  Try “Alone.”  If you bought the deluxe version of the album, that is.

And if nothing else fits, there’s always “What Doesn’t Kill You,” from which the album title was taken.  Or “Einstein,” with this classic line: “Dumb plus dumb equals you.”

Ouch!

The good news: This is a Kelly Clarkson album.  And if anyone can belt out 10 tunes saying essentially the same thing — you’re a jerk, but I’ll be fine — without sounding too repititious, it’s Kelly.

Five albums in, millions sold, she also remains the girl-next-door Idol.  The pop star least likely to show up at the Grammys inside an egg.  Or with bright blue hair.

Did you see her performance on Dancing with the Stars?  Tom Bergeron asked what she thought about dancing on the show.  Kelly’s response: “Your show would turn into a comedy.”

She need not be so humble about her music.  Nine years after being being crowned the original Idol, she’s one of only two who can be counted on to deliver a top-flight album every time she heads into the studio.  And, yes, I’m including the underrated “My December.”

“Stronger” might not be her best album.  “Breakaway” (2004) is tough to top.

But “Stronger” is likely to stay on the Billboard 200 longer than anything else released by an Idol alum this year.

And it’s likely to have lots of ladies out there singing along.

Grade: B

Download worthy:  “Mr. Know It All,”  “What Doesn’t Kill You,”  “Einstein,”  “I Forgive You.”

Links to lots of other reviews: Go here.