CD Release and Review

Kelly Clarkson
Breakaway

Kelly Clarkson’s “Breakaway,” one of the most anticipated albums of 2004, was released by the RCA Records label in November. “Since U Been Gone” was the No. 1 most-added song at Mainstream Top 40 radio adding to the buzz for the CD, which has reached a fever pitch. Billboard Magazine wrote: “This is an utterly ideal showcase for Clarkson. There's glorious tempo, enough edge to rattle the speakers, a relentless, big-game hook -- and it's a huge leap forward for the entertainer as a more confident, ever-maturing vocalist.”

Her first album, “Thankful”, released in 2003, debuted at No. 1 on The Billboard Hot 100 and included the No. 1 single “A Moment Like This” plus the top 5 smash hit “Miss Independent”. Certified double platinum, “Thankful” was the perfect introduction to Clarkson.

“I had a lot more experience coming into the second album,” Clarkson says. “I knew exactly what I wanted and who I wanted to work with.”

The album begins with the title track, “Breakaway,” one of this year’s mega-hits reaching #1 on all Top 40 radio outlets.

“Since U Been Gone,” is the second track on the new album. Clarkson describes the song as an “empowering anthem.” It’s the only track on the album not recorded in Los Angeles. “I went to Max Martin’s studio in Sweden. We recorded it there with Max and the co-writer of the song, Lukasz Gottwald. The first time I heard the song I thought it was a little poppy, so I asked if we could rock the track a little. We put some heavier guitars and harder drums on it. Now it’s explosive”.

Clarkson co-wrote six songs on the album, including “Behind These Hazel Eyes” with Max Martin and Lukasz Gottwald, as well as “Because of You” with Ben Moody and David Hodges, formerly of Evanescence.

Clarkson also recorded six songs co-written by Kara Dioguardi, including “Gone,” “Where Is Your Heart,” and “You Found Me.” “Kara is one of the best writers I’ve ever met,” says Kelly. “She’s passionate and very much an emotional writer,” ‘Gone,’ which Kara wrote with John Shanks, is feisty and uptempo. “ It’ll be a great song to perform live. I love “You Found Me” because it’s a happy song and the rest of the album is a bit on the darker side.”

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Clarkson and Dioguardi also teamed up to write “Hear Me,” along with Clif Magness. “ ‘Hear Me’ is the message I really want people to get from this album, sometimes I just want to be heard,” Kelly explains. “I don’t care if you like my opinion or if you care what I’m saying, just listen. Indulge me. I wrote this song about being in a crowd, you’re screaming at the top of your lungs and no one is listening. You are invisible. That’s what I feel like sometimes. It’s a very therapeutic song for me to listen to. I think everyone can relate to it.”

The album concludes with a live version of “Beautiful Disaster,” a song Clarkson originally recorded for her first album. “The lyrics are so beautiful,” Kelly stresses. “ Writer Matthew Wilder and I wanted to do a piano version. We did it on tour and everybody flipped over it. I thought it would be great to add it to the record for the people who didn’t get a chance to see me perform it live.”

The album producer is Clive Davis with A&R by Stephen Ferrera. Clarkson is managed by Simon Fuller for 19 Management.

Track Listing

• Breakaway
• Since U Been Gone
• Behind These Hazel Eyes
• Because Of You
• Gone
• Addicted
• Where Is Your Heart
• Hear Me
• Walk Away
• You Found Me
• I Hate Myself For Losing You
• Beautiful Disaster (Live)

• Breakaway Video

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