Kelly Clarkson - Thankful Discussion Thread: It was well worth the wait!

**DanceWithLife** · 05-11-2005, 02:33 PM

We have a thread for the BREAKAWAY album so I thought we could also have a thread for the phenomenal success that Thankful had also. #1 baby!

Here is the first review we had of Thankful when it came out.

http://www.foxesonidol.com/cgi-bin/a...140.art&page=1

America, Your CD Has Arrived
by L. Dougherty -- 04/16/2003

America voted for Kelly Clarkson, and now, with her debut album on the shelves, America can see how well they chose for “their” CD!

When Kelly Clarkson blew the candles out on her birthday cake last year, was she wishing for her first CD to be released before her next birthday? Did her wish include collaborating with some of the best songwriters and producers in the industry today? Well if she did, then it would seem that Kelly’s Birthday wish has come true and she is clearly “Thankful.”

With the release of her appropriately titled Thankful debut album this week; Kelly Clarkson has taken the leap from the American Idol winner to musical artist. It’s the end of the American Idol road for Our Kelly and now she must stand on her own in the sometimes harsh and critical music world.

Well I’m thankful because Kelly can stand tall on this debut. It is an entertaining and interesting mix of R&B, contemporary rock, soulful ballads, and edgy pop tunes. Not only does it demonstrate her natural God-given vocal talent, but we are also given access into her song writing soul. That her own self-penned lyrics have been included on her debut is an accomplishment in and of itself, not to mention that she delivers them with the same raw emotion that America fell in love with last September.

This is not a “new pop princess in waiting” debut but more a continuation of the “Natural Woman” saga we were introduced to last year. Kelly manages to deliver on the album with her self-image intact, which is very refreshing in an industry that today capitalizes constantly on the ‘sound of the day’ theory. She manages to remain true to the sound that is most representative of her style. Kudos to you, Kelly, for not allowing them to change you into the flavor of the month!

Honorable mention goes out to her producers for allowing this to be a showcase of talent and natural style over trend. With the exception of pawning those two cheesy show ballads off on us for yet a third time, they seem to have taken the high road on this one and can now bask in their decision as this begins to climb the charts. Including “A Moment Like This” and “Before Your Love” and calling them bonus tracks is the only insulting thing they’ve managed to do. Please, how many people are splitting royalties on those two songs that they needed to include them on this debut album? If they are all getting a couple pennies per copy, I guess they don’t feel they made enough off the first million copies printed, so they figured they’d cash in some more. I’m okay with them wanting to earn a little more pocket change but don’t pretend to remix them and call them bonus tracks so you can act like you’re giving the fans something extra.

Without the Bonus tracks, the album itself is a collection of potential hits. It’s warm and inviting with rich soulful sounds like “The Trouble With Love Is,” “What’s Up Lonely,” “Some Kind of Miracle,” and “Anytime,” that will leave you ready to light the candles, dim the lights, and enjoy a romantic dinner for two. It kicks up a notch with songs like “Miss Independent,” “Just Missed the Train” and “You Thought Wrong.” The latter is a funky duet featuring Tamyra Gray and tells the story of what happens to “Miss Independent” when she falls for a two-timer. Rounding out the set are songs like “Beautiful Disaster” and “Low” that have “Chart Toppers” written all over them.

This is really more or less America’s album. We voted for it and we did well! We are not bad entertainment scouts if you ask me. I know, nobody did, but I felt a pat on the back was in order. Kelly’s debut demonstrates the versatility that we discovered last summer. Now I look forward to what she has to offer us in the future. Her potential seems limitless.

If you are already a fan of Kelly Clarkson you will not be disappointed with Thankful. It is everything that you voted for. If you haven’t heard Kelly Clarkson yet, pick this one up, you will not be disappointed either, I guarantee there is something on it for you also.

secret tragedy · 05-11-2005, 03:13 PM

Good idea Andy

Even though I prefer Breakaway over Thankful, her debut album was still amazing! I loved all the songs!

The cover pic.

**DanceWithLife** · 05-11-2005, 04:59 PM

I agree, I like breakaway far better, but I have to say that as a debut album Thankful was perfect. It solds well, it carried a lot of hits, even had TTWLI be included on the Love Actually soundtrack, and it's the album that got Kelly known worldwide. I think it was reported once that Thankful sold nearly 5 million copies worldwide.

80sBabygirl · 05-13-2005, 08:09 PM

I think Breakaway is better, but I really enjoy Thankful. It had some great songs on it. I absolutely love the song, "Anytime" on there.

secret tragedy · 05-13-2005, 08:37 PM

I agree

"Anytime" is a great song!

**DanceWithLife** · 05-13-2005, 11:04 PM

Here was another review...this time from the UK

http://www.ukmix.net/reviews/albums/...yclarkson.html

Kelly Clarkson - Thankful

In case you didn't know, Kelly Clarkson won the first series of American Idol. But the question is - will she end up down the dumper like Hear'say or stay on top?

Her debut album, "Thankful", is a very eclectic effort. It starts off with the beautiful ballad, "The Trouble With Love Is", sounding similar to the Honeyz' "End Of The Line", but that is no bad thing. As the song goes on, Kelly's voice becomes stronger and more soulful, making this the perfect opener for the album.

The next song is the one we all know. The new single, "Miss Independent", which starts off quite badly, as the verses seem to go nowhere, but when the chorus hits - wow! The song was written by Christina Aguilera and used without her permission. But why didn't Christina record this song herself? "Miss Independent" is fantastic and looks set to make Kelly a household name on this side of the Atlantic.

Next up is the forthcoming single, "Low" - a great choice for single and another standout track on the album. The song is slightly rocky, but Kelly's voice remains soulful and incredible. Track four is "Some Kind Of Miracle" - like "Miss Independent", it starts off slowly, but builds up into a fantastic chorus. The next song is "What's Up Lonely" - quite a bland track, which is one of the weakest on the album. It is followed by one of the best tracks on the debut, "Just Missed The Train". Kelly's voice sounds beautiful on this song, which would be a great choice for future single.

Track seven is "Beautiful Disaster", a mid-tempo number, which is nothing groundbreaking. It's not a bad song, but definitely one of the weakest tracks on the album. Kelly duets with fellow American idol contestant, Tamyra Gray, on "You Thought Wrong". It's yet another song which starts slowly but has a fantastic chorus, but overall it's still one of the weakest songs on here.

The title track, "Thankful" follows next. Unfortunately, this is the weakest track on the album. Track ten is "Anytime" - a gorgeous ballad, which sounds like something Celine Dion would song. The album closes with the two singles, "A Moment Like This" and "Before Your Love" - the double A-side Kelly released when she won American Idol.

This is a brilliant debut effort from Kelly. The album sounds like a cross between a Mariah Carey album and Christina Aguilera's "Stripped". Kelly has an undeniably amazing voice. The quality of the songs match the quality of her great voice, so there is no reason why Kelly shouldn't have a long and successful career ahead of her.

* * * * * (Darren Gale)

secret tragedy · 05-14-2005, 07:58 AM

I agree that "Just Missed the Train" was one of the best

**DanceWithLife** · 05-14-2005, 09:51 AM

See, for me, Just Missed The Train became one of the best only when I heard it in concert. I think when I bought the album I truly loved Beautiful Disaster, Low and You Thought Wrong the best. But when I heard Kelly LIVE...Just Missed The Train just skyrocketted on my list.

DARKNESSBALL · 05-14-2005, 02:18 PM

I loved Thankful. What was:

Your favorite song from the start:
Your least favorite song from the start:
The song that grew on you the most:
The song you wish had been a single:
The song you wish had been a video:
The song you liked the most Live:
The song you liked the least Live:
The song whose lyrics you liked the most:
The song whose lyrics you could relate to the most:

secret tragedy · 05-14-2005, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanceWithLife

See, for me, Just Missed The Train became one of the best only when I heard it in concert. I think when I bought the album I truly loved Beautiful Disaster, Low and You Thought Wrong the best. But when I heard Kelly LIVE...Just Missed The Train just skyrocketted on my list.

Yeah I agree

She was AMAZING with that song and Low live.

secret tragedy · 05-14-2005, 03:17 PM

Your favorite song from the start: Anytime
Your least favorite song from the start: Before Your Love
The song that grew on you the most: Just Missed The Train
The song you wish had been a single: Just Missed The Train
The song you wish had been a video: Just Missed The Train LOL
The song you liked the most Live: Ehh...Tie between Just Missed The Train and Low
The song you liked the least Live: You Thought Wrong
The song whose lyrics you liked the most: Beautiful Disaster
The song whose lyrics you could relate to the most: Beautiful Disaster

**DanceWithLife** · 05-14-2005, 07:00 PM

Your favorite song from the start: Beautiful Disaster and Low
Your least favorite song from the start: Before Your Love and Anytime
The song that grew on you the most: What's Up Lonely
The song you wish had been a single: You Thought Wrong
The song you wish had been a video: Just Missed The Train
The song you liked the most Live: Beautiful Disaster
The song you liked the least Live: Anytime
The song whose lyrics you liked the most: Thankful and You Thought Wrong
The song whose lyrics you could relate to the most: Beautiful Disaster

wanderer78 · 05-15-2005, 12:26 PM

I liked Thankful a lot, even though like everyone else here, I prefer Breakaway. And the album is what made me a fan, b/c I didn't watch the first season of American Idol.

Great questions DARKNESSBALL, I'll have to listen to the album again before I answer the questions.

**DanceWithLife** · 05-18-2005, 05:26 PM

It's very cool wanderer that Thankful is actually what made you into a fan.

I think the great thing about Thankful was just that. Kelly's fanbase really broadened when Thankful came out. A large portion of her fan base wasn't rooted in AI but moreso on her new music.

secret tragedy · 05-18-2005, 05:31 PM

Yep, a lot of my friends became Kelly fans only through her CD

I think it's awesome!