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. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. Kelly Clarkson's darker, more personal, riskier third CD.
User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 233 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. 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. If I could give this album an eleven, I would, so will just have to make 10 louder... My December still remains my all-time favourite album from any artist, there's a lot of hoopla about the album not containing any stand out singles but I have to disagree, Can I Have A Kiss is one of the most beautiful songs ever written, Don't Waste Your Time rings true to every friendship known to humanity, One Minute is a hot track that alone exceeds anything on Breakaway, Irvine is heartbreaking, Be Still is mellow and laid back and just darn cool, Never Again is a major step up from Behind These Hazel Eyes, and Sober is just, sublime. But overall, the stand out is Maybe. WOW, what a song. I left out a few tracks which does not devalue their worth to the album, as the record from start to finish flows brilliantly and tells the story of a girl who's lost and maybe a little bit lonely. One of the very few music recommendations I would make. 11/10 Full Review »
  3. DeannaD
    10
    This is an amazing album, however I can understand the label's hesitancy to release it, since all they care about is how much money they can get out of Kelly. This album is not for bubblegum Clarkson fans, this album is for MUSIC fans. This people who don't like this album lack the ability to see inside the song, put themselves in Kelly's shoes as she was writing it, and see it for the artistry that it is. This album is brutal, honest, and at the same time uptempo and interesting. Kelly Clarkson is a songwriting genius and I pray that she is able to follow her heart and continue writing and releasing music like this. Full Review »