My December - Kelly Clarkson
Metascore
64 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
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  1. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Kelly Clarkson's darker, more personal, riskier third CD.
  2. Blender
    80
    Clarkson has never sounded this depressive or spiteful. [Jul 2007, p.112]
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  3. cokemachineglow
    75
    "My December" ends up, curiously enough, a pretty freaking fun summer album.
  4. Stylus Magazine
    75
    My December isn’t the kind of earth-shattering fuck-you accomplishment that would make this story too good to be true. However, it’s not nearly as bereft of good songs and great moments as some folks would have you believe either.
  5. Spin
    70
    She cements her place as the pop figurehead for the overlooked and underappreciated teenage girl in all of us. [Jul 2007, p.94]
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  6. Slant Magazine
    70
    Though "My December" cuts much of the adult contemporary-style balladry that marred her first two releases (but also displayed more than just her shouting vocal range), the album still finds Clarkson further exploring different facets of her voice.
  7. All Music Guide
    60
    There are no hooks, nothing to suck in the many adults that liked Clarkson's first two records.
  8. Rolling Stone
    60
    The tunes come up seriously short on choruses and heavy on the Alanis Morissette references.
  9. The Guardian
    60
    She writes in bland generalities... and uses her opulent voice as a battering ram.
  10. NOW Magazine
    60
    Moving further away from sugar-coated post-Idol fare, Clarkson steps up with more rockers and a few ballads that, while not all destined to be radio hits, are all convincing and emotionally bare.
  11. Hartford Courant
    60
    An uneven album with some tremendous bright spots.
  12. The A.V. Club
    58
    Much of "My December" lacks the precisely engineered hooks that made Clarkson famous.
  13. Boston Globe
    50
    "My December" offers an appealing if uneven snapshot of a girl with a big voice and big emotions who's in transition.
  14. The New York Times
    40
    "My December" isn’t a shocking change of direction, though it’s also not very good.
  15. Sputnikmusic
    30
    The songs just are just way inferior this time around. My December’s fourteen tracks (including the hidden "Chivas") sound like rough sketches fleshed out with Breakaway’s light rock arrangements.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.6 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 234 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 126 out of 170
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 170
  3. Negative: 37 out of 170
  1. AustinC
    10
    Kelly Clarkson has became known as the girl who does incredibly addicting and catchy pop music. Her sophomore album, 'Breakaway,' was all about that. Yes, it was fantastic, and probably one of 2004's best albums. However, 'My December' is much better. At first, it's a shock to hear this deeper, more raw side of Clarkson, but listen closely. Give the album two or three more tries. You'll soon see that 'My December' is easily Kelly Clarkson's best album to date. The lyrics are strong and deep meaningful. Some standouts in the lyrics definitely belong to "Sober." Just check out the first verse: "And I don't know/This could break my heart or save me/Nothing's real/Until you let go completely/So here I ho with all my thoughts/I've been saving/So here I go with all my fear/Weighing on me". Not only are the lyrics simply amazing, but the instrumentals to all the songs are a mature pop/rockers bliss. Some of the best instrumentals can be heard in "Never Again," "Haunted," and "Judas." All have spine-tingling strings and the drums are outstanding. It's raw and real. It's an album you can sit and listen to all the way through without skipping a single track. It's is depressing that the album lacked promo and especially lacked in singles. "Never Again" and "Sober" were the US singles. "One Minute" and "Don't Waste My Time" were international singles, but didn't have very good promo at all. You can thank Clive Davis for that. There were many hits on this album, it's just that people needed time to get used to this side of Clarkson that they weren't used to seeing.… Full Review »
  2. R.L.Powell
    7
    Not a failure by any means. After the unqualified success, and strident uniformity, of Breakaway (which I did love, though not for it's overwhelming artistic merit), My December is a excellent move forward for a songsmith who is pushing her boundaries. There is a distinct impression of her exploring, not only the grief of a ruined relationship, but the range of emotions and musical language she uses to describe it. Some truly charming and engaging surprises, along with some ham-fisted fumbles, but "Irvine" and "Chivas" are some damn fine pieces of performance. Kelly, I have a special place in my heart for ya, but I had no idea that you were capable of nuance. Keep this up and I may have to take off my hat to you sometime in the very near future.… Full Review »
  3. MarkV
    8
    Anyone who listens to this album and can't cheer Kelly Clarkson, I say "Whaaaa" These are Kelly's most strongest vocals and lyrics yet. And yes, it is bitter in parts, but seriously do you always want the same churned out music from your artists? I applaud Kelly for standing her ground to make this album. Her Album!! Rremember, even though her past work was great, it was not hers. Kelly owns this record and I love it. Don't get stuck in a rut with music. Art is form and content..… Full Review »
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