Kelly Clarkson’s “Piece by Piece” album displays the same charismatic voice that America grew to love, with the powerhouse lyrics of a pop star that has been in the industry for over a decade, and stayed strong through it all. Clarkon’s album features beautiful ballads, undeniably strong anthems and a duet that we have come to admire the “Miss Independent” singer for. The pop album opens with the infectious “Heartbeat” song that will have listeners singing along to the pulsing anthem of finding new love and feeling on fire. Clarkson croons “You, where the hell did you come from, you’re a different different kind of fun, I’m so used to feeling numb.” Listeners cannot resist singing the chorus of “Been so long I forgot how to turn it up up up all night long.”
Looking for another song to dance to? Clarkson asks you to “Dance with Me” in the 11th track. The song has been used to promote the new season of “Dancing with the Stars” in a commercial with the cast of the new season in glittering costumes. The song is equally as vibrant, sparkling and fun. The “Idol” winner begins before the powerful chorus, teasing listeners with “And when the music starts and the lights go down, we will all be found, no one’s fighting anyone,we’re all dancing on the ground.” Clarkson captures the feeling of dancing the night away, signing in her resounding voice “Feel the music like a lover’s kiss, feel the rhythm like a warm embrace,come on and dance with me.” Listeners will feel the need to get up and dance to this song.
Clarkson’s soulful and entrancing balled “Run, Run, Run” is a silky duet with John Legend. Legend is known for his soulful voice that was famous for “All Of Me.” Clarkson has such a strong, fluid and gorgeous voice that the two blend together in an unexpected but incredible song. The song begins in a slow piano form with Clarkson crooning, “I wonder how your body tastes.” Legend’s solo complements the ballad, especially when their voices rise in a chillingly beautiful lyric. Their voices take center stage and the melody slows as they sing “Our lust for fighting, tied up in silence.” The song advances with a fast drum beat that adds another dynamic and layer to the ballad.
“Tighrope” is a similarly lovely slow song that displays Clarkson’s range and soft, trailing voice that draws out each heartbreaking note. Clarkson sings “We’re so messed up, but I know that you and I will fall in time eventually, or maybe we’ll both die trying.” The chorus picks up with Clarkson reminiscing “Cause I’ve looked and I’ve seen nothing but you, the way you light up every room tonight so easily.”
“I Had a Dream” is a bold song that is reminiscent of Clarkson’s “Thankful” and “Breakway” is a punchy, and soulful where she claims “Remember that the footprints you’re leaving will tell us who you really are.” The lyrics seem as though Clarkson is trying to carefully convey that leaders and those with power or in the limelight used their voice for good.
An empowering anthem in the same vein as “Stronger” and similar in message to Katy Perry’s “Roar” is “Invincible” with a catchy phrase, “Beat down on me, beat down like a waterfall, ‘cause I can take on so much more than I had ever dreamed,so beat down on me, beat down like a waterfall, ‘cause baby, I am ready to be free.” Clarkson uses her life experiences and determination with a flair and states that she “ain’t a scared little girl no more.” In “Someone,” Clarkson is half apologetic, singing “So, this is my apology, for saying all those s**tty things, I wish I didn’t really mean.” The beginning is openly edgy for Clarkson, and works because the song is full of a beautiful message to find someone to live for, but not being sorry for what she did.
The overall album has something for die-hard Kelly Clarkson fans that have loved her since she won “Idol” and those that cannot resist singing “Heartbeat” on the radio. Clarkson stays true to herself and shares her maelstrom of wisdom and flair. The ballads are slow and beautiful, but there is a mix of fast paced songs and those like “Take You High” “Nostalgic” War Paint” that play with different sounds and beats to keep the songs fresh and upbeat.
