Kelly, Please...

Kelly Clarkson has been a love of mine since her debut in 2002. Her season of American Idol was the only season I watched. No other season has produced such a powerful force in the world of pop music.

It was painful to watch her last album overshadowed by harsh criticism. The wave of negative press overwhelmed any hope of the album being a success. The critics simply did not like her divergence into different genres of music. A pop singer should always be a pop singer, I guess. I didn't agree with the press in the slightest. Her lyrics were solid and her songs were well done,

although understandably not as catchy as her previous hits. Her voice, noticeably worn, was due to the increase of heavier songs, without a change in technique. You can't blame her music, but you could blame her choice in not preparing herself. I didn't choose to criticize her voice, because I understand how difficult it is, in terms of stamina, to sing for long periods of time. She was performing constantly and wasn't giving her voice adequate time to rest. Give her a break! That's what I say.

So now with all the "My December" drama behind her, she's now ready to release her 4th album. "All I Ever Wanted" is scheduled for release March 17th. We're already getting a taste of it with the release of the Album's first single:"My Life Would Suck Without You."

While I admit that the new single is very entertaining, I have to say that it is a small disappointment. I was hoping for something new, not a restatement of her previous success "Since U Been Gone." I can only hope that the rest of the Album represents more growth than this first single. Despite my small biff, I remain to be an avid fan. She's gorgeous, I love her... and you should too!!

Happy New Year!

We've made it!  We succeeded in surviving another treacherous year.  I'll be honest and say I didn't think I was going to make it.  Depression was a powerful force in my life in the past year, but I vow that it won't be in the year to come.  So... What are my resolutions?  Should I share?  My first cliche response is to get in shape.  To put in bluntly, I want to look good naked... who doesn't? Second,  I want to work harder than I've ever worked on my music.  My voice, piano, and soon a guitar are going to become high priorities in my life.  I've always been scared of success, but I don't want that fear to affect my progress anymore. And finally, I would like to become more spiritual.  Its no secret that I've never enjoyed going to church.  As a child, I remember the excuses I would attempt to make so that I wouldn't have to go. I've been fighting spirituality my whole life.  I would like that to change this year.  So... Those are my goals.  I'm going to take these things one day at a time, and hopefully by the end of the year I can say that I accomplished all of them.