18 MARCH 5 - MARCH 11, 2009 ● QuickDFW.com _ Kelly music e l hnson Kelly shines CONCERTS, PROFILES,REVIEWS love fortheToadies. the newalbum,herTexashauntsand Burleson nativeviae-mailtoaskherabout packed withpotentialhits. thanks toaNorwegianiTunesflub—is leaked totheInternetafewweeksago, Wanted high notesdon’tstopthere. the styleofmusicthatmadeher. song cameoffasatongue-in-cheekodeto airbrushed Clarksonwithalollipop,the Coupled withaslickphotoofheavily distinction offastest-everrisetoNo.1. Billboard Without You”wentblazingupthe when thefirstsingle“MyLifeWouldSuck album comingoutTuesday. T chance on artist. Butshedecidedtogivepopanother that shewasn’tafraidtotakerisksasan time tobuyconcerttickets. Been Gone”togetabitapatheticcome some fanswho’dflippedover“SinceU perplexed herrecordlabelandcaused My December angsty, minorchord-heavyalbumcalled chart-busting albums,shereleasedan pop onherlatestalbum Clarkson revisitsupbeat We caughtupwiththe26-year-old The catchychorusesandimpressive The returntoformbeganlastmonth, Clarkson provedduringthatperiod — whichwasunceremoniously American Idol kicked popmusictothecurb. wo yearsago,KellyClarkson Hot 100chart,claimingthe All IEverWanted After herfirst-season . Theshiftinsound victory andtwo All IEver Hunter Hauk , hernew shines

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Associated Press Idol | cover story | cover music music Hear some of the tracks starting Tuesday at More on ‘All I Ever Wanted’ Lots of variety here. There are a few mid-tempo pop-rock ballads co-written by Clarkson and One Republic’s Ryan Tedder (who’s also written for Beyoncé). “I Do Not Hook Up” is a highly infectious girly anthem penned by new judge Kara DioGuardi and Katy Perry. The album’s title track sounds like a rock-heavy cousin of Spoon’s “I Turn My Camera On.” And there’s even an upbeat, Duffy-esque, ’60s throwback track in the mix (“I Want You”).
myspace.com/kellyclarkson. ! Todd Lewis has such an will be around for a good while because No Deliverance I love I like the All-American Rejects. They have great lyrics I’ve always been a big believer in “if it’s not broke, To not sweat the small stuff. Life is too short to worry American Idol Clarkson: awesome voice! It’s so dirty and worn. The songs are so sexy but, at the same time, there’s a certain pain to them. I can’t wait to see them tour this album. I will be at as many shows as I can get to. Great, great band. The only thing I loved from Texas as much as I loved the Toadies was Willie Nelson. When I finally got to see him in concert, I was in heaven! Q: What about newer acts in music today? Are there any that inspire you? Clarkson: and amazing melodies. I’m also a huge fan of Pink. She’s got one of the best voices of my generation. Q: Do you feel that the cultural impact of ‘American Idol’ is waning, or at least changing? What would you like to see happen on the show to shake things up? Clarkson: don’t fix it.” The show is still one of the highest-rated, and people love it. people love watching it. Q: If there’s one thing you wish you’d known six years ago, what is it? Clarkson: about everything, so take it one disaster at a time. Haha! suck if they weren’t there to talk to or hang out suck if they weren’t there would I was surprised, because I didn’t think it would jump that I was surprised, because I my life right now that are so I have friends and family in Man, I wish I had some profound and I love all genres of music, and I love Howard Benson is a producer I just met on this project. I’m I get back home a lot! I love my house and my land. Q: What was the first thing that went through your mind after the first thing that went Q: What was Without You” made chart “My Life Would Suck you found out history? Clarkson: can tell which songs will hit and which high or that fast! You never I like performing them, I don’t mind what ones won’t, but as long as number they are on the chart. to the lyrics of every song, Q: Whether or not you contribute that applies well to your own life you always choose material the words of “My Life Would story. Tell me what significance Suck” carry for you. Clarkson: crucial. My life people in my with. I have been blessed with some really awesome life. was perceived Q: The lollipop photo on the cover of the single the pop-star by a lot of folks as a nod to your struggles with song and the image. Is that truly what is intended in both the images associated with it? Clarkson: deep reasoning behind the lollipop picture. But, it honestly, we just thought it would be cute because was a sucker and the song title is “My Life Would Suck Without You.” Q: What songs on the new album stick out in your mind as significant or revealing? Clarkson: exploring them on every one of my albums, so my favorites aren’t usually the singles. The songs I like most are the ones that push the envelope a bit. One song on this album that definitely stands out is by British punk, “Whyyawannabringmedown.” It is highly influenced and in your and it’s just so much fun to sing! The message is blunt I am doing is for face: “Why do you want to bring me down when all you to be you? Why treat me like crap when all I wanted was for message. happy?” Sadly, I think a lot of people can relate to this Q: Who were some of the notable producers and musicians you worked with on the new album, and how did they influence you and the sound of the music? Clarkson: a big fan of his work, and I love how much he loves music! We cut, like, five songs for the record. His production is possibly my favorite that I’ve ever worked with. It just sounds so clean and so crisp, yet captures any and every emotion the song can give. Sam [Watters] and Louis [Biancaniello], I have known for years and have worked with on previous albums. But the thing I love about them is that they write and produce for different genres of music, so none of their songs ever sound the same. They love music from all genres, and you can tell because they never limit themselves, and they never allow me to limit myself. [It] makes me better as a writer and vocalist. Q: How often do you get back to Texas, and what are some of the places that feel like home for you? Clarkson: Nothing beats Texas. I am as country as it gets, so you can usually spot me at Cracker Barrel or some hole-in-the-wall bar that’s way out in the country that you’ve never heard of. Honestly, though, I don’t go out a lot. I love just sitting at my house, because I travel so much that I really appreciate the time to hang out with my family, my horses or my dogs. Q: You grew up in North Texas and found yourself drawn to and inspired by the Toadies. What did you think of the comeback album they put out this past year? Were there that caught your attention back in the day? other local bands