schnetzka
3x Platinum Member
One of Pulse's Shania Fans
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Post by schnetzka on Jul 31, 2024 10:49:32 GMT -5
I love My December overall but I will echo what everyone else is saying about the production. To me, most of the albums sounds more like a demo than a finished product. Like the production is not crisp whatsoever and just doesn't sound right.
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kath2833
Charting
Joined: August 2021
Posts: 56
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Post by kath2833 on Jul 31, 2024 20:17:44 GMT -5
After much thought, hereβs my ranking:
1. Breakaway 2. When Christmas comes around 3. Meaning of life 4. Thankful 5. Wrapped in red 6. My December 7. Stronger 8. All I ever wanted 9. Piece by piece 10. Chemistry
Iβm glad Iβm not the only one who prefers WCCA to WIR. WCCA imo has more festive songs & consistency sonically & vocally. PBP & chemistry bore me which is why I put them last.
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zaclord π
Diamond Member
Jesus Jamz POTY
It'll all be alright...
Joined: July 2009
Posts: 10,870
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Post by zaclord π on Jul 31, 2024 20:27:09 GMT -5
Take my rankings with a grain of salt because I've only listened to Thankful and My December a couple times in full and while I love Kelly and most of her music, I'm no stan haha. Top 3 albums are firmly my top 3 though. 4-7 are solid, good albums with some standout tracks. I don't remember most of the tracks on the other 3 outside of singles and most of what I remember from PxP is not good ha.
1. Breakaway 2. When Christmas Comes Around 3. Meaning of Life 4. All I Ever Wanted 5. Stronger 6. Chemistry 7. Wrapped in Red 8. Thankful 9. Piece by Piece 10. My December
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jessayli
Gold Member
If you speak, you'll only piss 'em off. If you don't, you're another robot.
Joined: June 2008
Posts: 641
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Post by jessayli on Jul 31, 2024 21:16:41 GMT -5
My current ranking:
1. Breakaway 2. Chemistry 3. Wrapped In Red 4. Stronger 5. My December 6. Meaning of Life 7. When Christmas Comes Around 8. Piece By Piece 9. All I Ever Wanted 10. Thankful
I donβt think that anyone is a βbad fanβ for loving the albums that Kelly herself is less enthusiastic about. My top ranked Kelly album isnβt necessarily Kellyβs favorite.
Other than AIEW, PBP, and WCCA, I tend to initially rank the album that Kelly has most recently released as my favorite. Then, after a year or two, it drops a bit in my ranking. Basically, I need at least a year to more objectively evaluate album quality.
And in the past couple years, Breakaway has crept back up my rankings to return to the top spot. I think it holds up surprisingly well 20 years later. All five singles are great, as are most of the album tracks, especially Addicted, Gone, and Hear Me (the latter of which recently clicked for me in a new way). It works as a cohesive album, with a consistent sound and vibe, feels authentic, has just enough edge, and is full of satisfying pop hooks and shout-along choruses. Even though there was stress around the making of Breakaway, it still feels like an honest representation of who Kelly was at that time of her life.
Chemistry is still #2 for me, but Iβm well aware that I havenβt fully escaped the recency effect itβs having on me. Still, Iβm confident that several of these songs will forever remain career highlights for me - particularly Skip This Part, Magic, and the title track.
I really love Kellyβs work with Greg Kurstin (and she seems to love working with him) - which helps WIR and Stronger stand out to me as two of Kellyβs best albums.
I agree that My Decemberβs production gives it an βunfinished, demoβ feel. This album has some career highlights (e.g., Irvine, Maybe, Chivas, Sober), but also songs that arenβt so great, songs like Judas that donβt do anything interesting lyrically or melodically. Still, even these βfailedβ songs represent Kelly growing as an artist, and the albumβs lack of polish and βuneditedβ feel makes it appealing in its own way. My December remains an important album in the story of who Kelly Clarkson is, making the album as a whole greater than the sum of its parts.
Kelly has never sounded better than she does on Meaning Of Life. Itβs a grown-up album, and was an exciting departure from her prior albums. I particularly love the title track. However, for whatever reason, Iβve retuned to this album less often than most of her others. I think I just gravitate more to pop/rock and singer-songwriter Kelly.
The original songs on WCCA are about as good as the ones on WIR. But the WIR originals are better than the ones on WCCA, which hurts the quality of WCCA overall.
I like listening to Piece By Piece when chilling by a pool. The title track is in my top 5 Kelly songs of all time. The album works as a βvibe,β and I think is more cohesive and less βtry-hardβ than AIEW. I *like* almost all of these songs, but donβt find myself LOVING them - with two exceptions: Tightrope and the title track, both of which were produced by Greg Kurstin and written by Kelly.
AIEW has some satisfying pop-rock. MLWSWY is an undeniably catchy pop song. I love rocking out in my car to the title track. The lyrics to Ready are excellent. But Ready is almost ruined by its production on the album, which zaps most of the emotion from the demo version. What they did to Ready exemplifies the problem with the whole album. The album has this βletβs make a POP ALBUM!β tension to it, which, for me, makes it an uncomfortable album to listen to.
Thankful was a better-than-expected debut for the first American Idol winner. I love The Trouble With Love Is, and the live version of Miss Independent. I think You Thought Wrong is underrated. But this album has more skips for me than any of her others do.
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Anticonformity
Platinum Member
Dancing My F*ck Off
Joined: January 2007
Posts: 1,565
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Post by Anticonformity on Aug 1, 2024 1:03:47 GMT -5
While I agree side-eyeing some of the production on My December, I love a lot of the ones most hate form that album lol
Haunted is my fave Kelly song ever I love Hole SO SO SO much Judas is a BOP
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ampersand
Platinum Member
Joined: February 2016
Posts: 1,652
Pronouns: he/him
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Post by ampersand on Aug 1, 2024 2:37:42 GMT -5
I love My December, rough production and all, but Iβd die to hear a Kellyβs Version of this album more than any of the others.
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Anticonformity
Platinum Member
Dancing My F*ck Off
Joined: January 2007
Posts: 1,565
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Post by Anticonformity on Aug 1, 2024 2:46:40 GMT -5
I love My December, rough production and all, but Iβd die to hear a Kellyβs Version of this album more than any of the others. She can leave off Yeah and add on Not Today!
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xline06
Gold Member
Joined: September 2009
Posts: 529
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Post by xline06 on Aug 1, 2024 7:09:53 GMT -5
I think My December should have been below..
01. Go 02. One Minute 03. Hole 04. Never Again 05. Donβt 06. Sober 07. Not Today 08. Fading 09. Judas 10. Haunted (Demo Version) 11. Dirty Little Secret 12. Chivas 13. Be Still 14. Maybe 15. I Wish I Could Be Lonely Instead
Iβm not a fan of rest 4 tracks, sorry.
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Max_X5
Charting
Joined: September 2012
Posts: 465
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Post by Max_X5 on Aug 1, 2024 10:09:03 GMT -5
Back in 2018, I started thinking of Kelly's discography a bit differently and that approach has held up ever since. I view Kelly's output in two groups: Career-standout albums that particularly highlight Kelly's artistry (that needn't be compared): BreakawayMy DecemberWrapped In Red (her magnum opus) Meaning Of LifechemistryAnd then five solid, if less significant offerings: 1. Stronger2. When Christmas Comes Around...3. Piece By Piece4. All I Ever Wanted5. Thankful
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SoMuchToSay
3x Platinum Member
Joined: August 2010
Posts: 3,505
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Post by SoMuchToSay on Aug 1, 2024 10:39:47 GMT -5
To me, the stuff I grew up listening to (Breakaway, Stronger, AIEW) will always be superior. I miss pop-rock ANTHEM Kelly. Since signing with Atlantic the music just hasn't connected with me the same (too much creative control probably - LOL). I know she doesn't care about hits anymore, but damn it would be nice to have her do one last BIG pop record with a huge A-list producer like Max Martin.
1. Stronger 2. Breakaway 3. All I Ever Wanted 4. Piece by Piece 5. Wrapped in Red
6. My December
7. When Christmas Comes Around... 8. Thankful
(huge gap)
9. Chemistry 10. Meaning of Life
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musicfan134
Platinum Member
Joined: July 2012
Posts: 1,391
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Post by musicfan134 on Aug 1, 2024 17:12:18 GMT -5
This might be a hot take...but I vastly prefer When Christmas Comes Around to Wrapped in Red. I think the original Christmas songs (on both albums) are the highlights, and obviously WCCA has more of them. The covers on WIR are better I guess, but I would take even the "weakest" of the originals over the strongest of the covers between the two albums.
In revisiting the AIEW, Stronger, and PBP albums I think I would prefer them to be condensed from three albums down into two. Take out some of the lesser tracks and leave the stronger (pun intended) tunes and consolidate into two streamlined cohesive albums that would, IMO, be right up there with the best of the best.
So when I think about her catalog, I picture it as 7 Horcruxes albums:
Breakaway My December All I Ever Wanted/Stronger/Piece by Piece hybrid (2 albums) Wrapped in Red/WCCA Original Songs Meaning of Life chemistry
As far as Thankful goes...Miss Independent is really the only song from Thankful I would miss...and I don't even care for the Thankful version itself anymore, so throw an updated version of that song on to Meaning of Life and we're fine.
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Jack
8x Platinum Member
King of the World
Joined: October 2008
Posts: 8,539
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Post by Jack on Aug 1, 2024 17:41:37 GMT -5
I think generally my tastes are so shocking and interesting that you wouldnβt believe them.
Or you almost might. Like find a random b side or an unpopular album from stan cultureβ¦guess what? Itβs my favourite. I donβt mean for it to be that way it just is. Everyone hates it? I like it best. Assume crash positions. Ask me questions if you want to. Be taken aback as you may. Itβs my truth.
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bee
Charting
Joined: December 2016
Posts: 104
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Post by bee on Aug 2, 2024 8:37:55 GMT -5
This might be a hot take...but I vastly prefer When Christmas Comes Around to Wrapped in Red. I think the original Christmas songs (on both albums) are the highlights, and obviously WCCA has more of them. The covers on WIR are better I guess, but I would take even the "weakest" of the originals over the strongest of the covers between the two albums. In revisiting the AIEW, Stronger, and PBP albums I think I would prefer them to be condensed from three albums down into two. Take out some of the lesser tracks and leave the stronger (pun intended) tunes and consolidate into two streamlined cohesive albums that would, IMO, be right up there with the best of the best. So when I think about her catalog, I picture it as 7 Horcruxes albums: Breakaway My December All I Ever Wanted/Stronger/Piece by Piece hybrid (2 albums) Wrapped in Red/WCCA Original Songs Meaning of Life chemistry As far as Thankful goes...Miss Independent is really the only song from Thankful I would miss...and I don't even care for the Thankful version itself anymore, so throw an updated version of that song on to Meaning of Life and we're fine. I didn't include the Christmas albums on my list. The originals on WCCA are superior. Glow, Merry Christmas to the one I Used to Know, Merry Christmas Baby, Christmas Come Early, Santa Can You Hear Me. These are songs I end up listening to in the middle of summer. I listened to Glow all of last year. The covers are the weak part of the album. I think because the originals are so good and can't compare.
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kath2833
Charting
Joined: August 2021
Posts: 56
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Post by kath2833 on Aug 2, 2024 11:19:16 GMT -5
Hot take, I think all of WCCA is superior to WIR even the covers. The covers in WCCA are more festive yet lush over the ones in WIR. The originals are far superior & the bonus tracks just elevate the album. She even made her divorce songs catchy yet sensual instead of sad & depressing. Her vocals are much more consistent along with the sound. Whereas with WIR, I felt that the album was trying to be a bit of everything while having songs that just donβt add anything to the album. Her voice also goes from screaming to lower register.
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schnetzka
3x Platinum Member
One of Pulse's Shania Fans
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Post by schnetzka on Aug 2, 2024 12:35:11 GMT -5
I much prefer Wrapped in Red to When Christmas Comes Around... outside of a few songs like "Merry Christmas (To the One I Used to Know)".
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StrongBreakaway
Platinum Member
You love me
Joined: January 2013
Posts: 1,236
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Post by StrongBreakaway on Aug 2, 2024 15:57:41 GMT -5
Letter To Rose fully leaked *crying emoji*
and Piece by Piece reject 'Honor Roll'
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Joe1240
6x Platinum Member
Taylor Swift-The Best in Pop & Country Music!
Joined: September 2003
Posts: 6,958
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Post by Joe1240 on Aug 3, 2024 11:57:18 GMT -5
My Kelly Clarkson Album Rankings- 1.Breakaway 2.All I Ever Wanted 3.Stronger 4.Wrapped In Red 5.Piece By Piece 6.Chemistry 7.Meaning Of Life 8.My December 9.When Christmas Comes Around 10.Thankful
Pop/Rock Kelly is peak Kelly for me yes MD is a little low but I think Kelly has a underrated Discography and her new tracks on Greatest Hits Chapter One such as Catch My Breath still hold up really well. As someone who has followed Kelly since the Idol days, it is nice to see her get a mini-resurgence with her talk show.
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Post by jonwhritenour on Aug 3, 2024 16:59:42 GMT -5
1. Wrapped in Red 2. Stronger 3. Piece by Piece 4. chemistry 5. Breakaway 6. When Christmas Comes Around 7. Meaning Of Life 8. My December 9. All I Ever Wanted 10. Thankful
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Post by soulfulwings on Aug 4, 2024 12:00:18 GMT -5
1. Piece by Piece 2. Wrapped in Red 2. Stronger 4. All I Ever Wanted 5. chemistry 6. Breakaway 7. Meaning Of Life 8. Thankful 9. When Christmas Comes Around 10. My December
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kc24
Bubbling Under
Joined: March 2023
Posts: 11
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Post by kc24 on Aug 4, 2024 13:48:03 GMT -5
honestly besides Breakaway I usually go straight to all of her unreleased stuff before anything else 1. Breakaway 2. Unreleased Catalog 3. My December 4. Stronger 5. Piece x Piece 6. All I Ever Wanted (unless I'm running... first half of AIEW on 1.x1 speed with the same pitch pumps me up) 7. Chemistry 8. Thankful 9. Christmas Albums 10. Meaning of Life
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wwr
Gold Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 551
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Post by wwr on Aug 4, 2024 18:20:08 GMT -5
Letter To Rose fully leaked *crying emoji* and Piece by Piece reject 'Honor Roll' Kinda sad most people donβt care about any of that anymore, so thereβs little to no buzz about it I couldnβt be happier that song is finally out π
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Post by countrymancarriefan on Aug 6, 2024 22:42:56 GMT -5
What if one of the βthingsβ Kelly has coming up at Christmas, is NBC finally doing a Live Musical production of βWhite Christmasβ with her in the Rosemary Clooney role?β¦
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ecstasythrumusic
Charting
Kelly F**king Clarkson
Joined: December 2011
Posts: 44
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Post by ecstasythrumusic on Aug 6, 2024 22:45:43 GMT -5
Right now including Christmas
Chemistry My December Wrapped in Red Breakaway Thankful All I ever wanted When Christmas Comes Around Stronger Piece By Piece Meaning of Life
Did I forget something
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Post by dwmusiccollector on Aug 7, 2024 0:31:34 GMT -5
My Ranking without Christmas Albums.
01. Chemistry 02. Breakaway 03. My December 04. All I Ever Wanted 05. Meaning Of Life 06. Stronger 07. Piece By Piece 08. Thankful
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deguom
Charting
Joined: April 2023
Posts: 25
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Post by deguom on Aug 7, 2024 21:20:11 GMT -5
Right now including Christmas Chemistry My December Wrapped in Red Breakaway Thankful All I ever wanted When Christmas Comes Around Stronger Piece By Piece Meaning of Life Did I forget something Your taste How could you put MOL at the bottom when it has god-tier songs like Heat, Medicine and WYCTL?! I do like your top 4 though
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dbhmr
Diamond Member
>
Joined: January 2005
Posts: 23,463
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Post by dbhmr on Aug 8, 2024 10:12:43 GMT -5
It goes:
01. chemistry 02. Breakaway 03. Wrapped In Red 04. When Christmas Comes Around (Kellyoke, I'm so serious)
05. Stronger 05. Meaning of Life (tie?)
07. All I Ever Wanted 08. My December
09. Piece By Piece 10. Thankful
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Post by keeptheflowers on Aug 8, 2024 11:40:12 GMT -5
Stronger ~ Wrapped in Red Breakaway chemistry Meaning of Life My December When Christmas Comes Around Piece By Piece All I Ever Wanted Thankful
Joining the fun. This is probably how my all time ranking looks like right now.
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Ryan
5x Platinum Member
Joined: June 2006
Posts: 5,667
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Post by Ryan on Aug 8, 2024 21:31:57 GMT -5
Because of You has surpassed 700 million streams on Spotify.
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Anticonformity
Platinum Member
Dancing My F*ck Off
Joined: January 2007
Posts: 1,565
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Post by Anticonformity on Aug 9, 2024 0:23:03 GMT -5
Genuine question: Why do some of you consider a Holiday album apart of the discography? I'm not being snarky and not just for Kelly...
For me, I would never as 1. I'm not huge on specifically Christmas music (winter/holiday I prefer), and lyrically it's covers/all centered around one thing... and 2. it would always be at the bottom if I did
(Again, not JUST Kelly and I'm not coming for any1 lol)
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schnetzka
3x Platinum Member
One of Pulse's Shania Fans
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Post by schnetzka on Aug 9, 2024 5:38:33 GMT -5
Genuine question: Why do some of you consider a Holiday album apart of the discography? I'm not being snarky and not just for Kelly... For me, I would never as 1. I'm not huge on specifically Christmas music (winter/holiday I prefer), and lyrically it's covers/all centered around one thing... and 2. it would always be at the bottom if I did (Again, not JUST Kelly and I'm not coming for any1 lol) They are classified as "studio albums" so I have no reason to not consider them as part of their discographies. At least for me.
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