My December
by Kelly Clarkson
  • Record Label: RCA
  • Release Date: Jun 26, 2007
User Score
6.9

Generally favorable reviews- based on 313 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 214 out of 313
  2. Mixed: 16 out of 313
  3. Negative: 83 out of 313

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  1. Lindaj
    Jun 29, 2007
    3
    Bought this album yesterday. Not impressed. There seems to be something missing. I expected more from Kelly.
  2. ShullyA.
    Jul 1, 2007
    3
    Uneven and unfinished. Too long.
  3. CO.
    Sep 22, 2007
    3
    I didn't bother to buy it after hearing clips off the internet. I was so looking forward to another Kelly Album. I wonder if she will get another chance to make a CD. Kelly, lay off the happy cookies.
  4. BradB.
    Jun 26, 2007
    3
    I give her props for trying her hand at song writing. The songs aren't very good though. She is in serious need of some melodies. The album is also depressing. A few decent tracks, but I won't be listening much.
  5. BenW
    Jun 26, 2007
    3
    I think most reviewers are giving Clarkson extra brownie points (and higher scores) just for fighting the big, bad label. The album is just not that good! It needs a lot of spit and polish, and melodies for one thing.
  6. LindaC.
    Jun 29, 2007
    3
    I thought that the lyrics were juvenile at best and the songs sounded more like a childs version of Jagged Little Pill, with Never Again trying to be like U Oughta Know - except it isn't near as good. Too bad, cause I liked Kelly, but now she just seems like a bitter person who can't get over a breakup.
  7. Mary
    Jul 1, 2007
    3
    This album has a couple of good songs, but Never Again is not one of them. I think Kelly proved her point. Let's move on.
  8. PatQ.
    Jun 28, 2007
    3
    I enjoy Kelly's voice when she's not screaming and liked her first two CD's for the most part. This one, not so much. I found the lyrics crude and boring at the same time and too much screaming in place of real emotion. When she emotes in the quieter moments, I really enjoy it. But, not, I will not be buying this CD.
  9. commorancy
    Nov 3, 2021
    3
    Clearly, this isn't one of Kelly's better efforts. From what I'd read up to this point in her musical career, Kelly had been disenchanted by her own involvement in the creation of the musical material, particularly in the handling of her first album. As of her second album, Breakaway, aptly titled, she had "broken away" from that R&B sound that drove her first album. You know, we all haveClearly, this isn't one of Kelly's better efforts. From what I'd read up to this point in her musical career, Kelly had been disenchanted by her own involvement in the creation of the musical material, particularly in the handling of her first album. As of her second album, Breakaway, aptly titled, she had "broken away" from that R&B sound that drove her first album. You know, we all have to take baby steps. Yet, it seems she still wasn't happy with the final product of the second album in terms of her own contributions. Taking Breakaway's lead, this led into her third, more self-indulgent 'My December' album.

    While Kelly may have had more artistic freedom to create what SHE wanted, the final product is overall underwhelming and average. This is what happens when you let a vocalist, who isn't yet a songwriter, attempt to drive a commercial music product.

    The problem? My December ends up far too grunge and garage band for her vocal style. Her voice is fairly malleable in terms of most genres, but only to a point. It's clear, Kelly is way out of her element here. It also seems Kelly may have been attempting an Alanis Morrissette 'Jagged Little Pill' type musical maneuver. It might have even worked had she enlisted Glen Ballard. Instead, she enlisted David Kahne, Jason Halbert and Jimmy Messer. These three were also clearly out of their element in terms of songwriting.

    The songs are, at best, average to below average. There's nothing outstanding here. Kelly's vocals are spot on as usual, but the songs themselves don't congeal into solid, well written and, most importantly, listenable material. As other reviewers have pointed out, the songs also lack solid hooks, but that's only part of the problem with these songs. The production is mostly fine, but nothing special... with the exception of the guitar's sonics.

    Clive was correct, this was the wrong product at the wrong time. Kelly should have shelved this release. Then, pulled one or two songs from this project and released them as bonus tracks on a more radio friendly release. No, this album is not at all radio friendly. The song 'Hole' basically sums up the entire album... with its discordant melodies, 70s sounding crunchy rock guitar and crash cymbal driven drums. Further, the guitars over the entire album are sonically problematic. The guitars simply don't sound professional nor does the sound work most of the time.

    If the album had produced even one song similar to Alanis's 'You Oughta Know' or 'Ironic', the album might have been better received. It's fine to be self-indulgent and personal in songwriting, but not to the point of damaging the final product. If anything, My December proves that both melody and hook still matter in music... meaning... when it's absent, such as on My December, it's quite noticeable.    … Expand
  10. JoshK
    Jun 30, 2007
    2
    The only songs on the album worth listening to are Be Still and Irvine. The rest is crap. I wish she would realize that she is not the writer that she thinks she is and get some help next time. She has the chops, but come on, this is embarassing.
  11. CarolynM.
    Jun 30, 2007
    2
    Sounds like a 7th graders diary to me. Kelly really needs to figure out who she is. Pop one minute, wannabe Rocker Chick the next, and now thinking of Country? What's next?
  12. ChrisH
    Jul 5, 2007
    2
    Artists should grow, not decline. This is terrible; there is no growth, only deteriation. Save yourself the money and avoid it. Save yourself the time and do not download it. And save your ears and change the channel if it ever starts playing.
  13. Tori
    Aug 1, 2007
    2
    I did like "Breakaway" but I still can't recognize her voice when I hear it. This CD is self-indulgent. I guess she figures she deserves it. Whatever.
  14. ChrisW.
    Jun 27, 2007
    2
    Dear Kelly, Please stop screaming on your records! What are you so angry about?
  15. joanem.
    Jul 1, 2007
    1
    Don't like it.
  16. Lisa
    Jul 1, 2007
    1
    it sucked. i was very disappointed.
  17. Jan
    Jun 29, 2007
    1
    I tried to listen to it but they all sounded alike. I just wish she wouldn't scream. I miss the happy Kelly.
  18. tammyp.
    Jul 9, 2007
    1
    Kelly has a great voice, she needs to stay more comtemporary and leave the writing of lyrics to someone else.
  19. ChantelJ.
    Jun 29, 2007
    1
    I loved Kelly's last CD but this one is just awful. It's jdown right depressing. I've listened to it a couple of times and I don't think I'll be listening anymore. I sure don't like this new direction she has taken. Please bring back the "real" Kelly.
  20. BonnieR.
    Jun 29, 2007
    1
    Hard to believe that someone who got everything she dreamed of could be so miserable. Listening to this dreck could ruin anyones day.
  21. nickc.
    Jun 30, 2007
    1
    Awful. Just awful. God I hate this woman. And to rip off a song title from Linkin Park of all people? Hahahaha! This record, like all adult-alternative--is good for a laugh, and that's about it.
  22. ClarkClark
    Jun 30, 2007
    1
    What was she thinking? This is not the Kelly I have loved since AI. Terrible!!
  23. SandraM
    Jun 28, 2007
    1
    Horrible disappointment. Kelly is known for her catchy melodies and great hooks, and for music that is simply fun - fun to dance to and to sing along to. This CD has none of that. There are no good melodies, no catchy choruses and no fun factor. This is like reading the diary of a bitter 13 y/o after her boyfriend broke up with her, set to bad (not to mention boring) background music. Not Horrible disappointment. Kelly is known for her catchy melodies and great hooks, and for music that is simply fun - fun to dance to and to sing along to. This CD has none of that. There are no good melodies, no catchy choruses and no fun factor. This is like reading the diary of a bitter 13 y/o after her boyfriend broke up with her, set to bad (not to mention boring) background music. Not even Kelly's voice can save these crappy songs.… Expand
  24. Sue
    Jun 28, 2007
    1
    I lke Kelly, but I won't be buying this CD. The songs seriously lack any real melody, and have no hook. The lyrics are just awful. It's a dreary CD full of nothing but he done me wrong songs.
  25. RickC.
    Jun 28, 2007
    1
    After listening to this album for two days, I have to say that I agree with Clive Davis. I still don't get what she is trying to say, it is all over the place. I don't see any hit singles coming off this album. Still looking forward to the next one.
  26. josema
    Jun 26, 2007
    0
    this makes me sick...
  27. MarieW
    Jul 1, 2007
    0
    This is not entertaining at all. Singing about yourself and what you want is great, but listeners want things that appeal to them as well. She is not producing a CD for herself so she should remember that. Seems the negative comments are definitely not being posted here.
  28. DonW
    Jun 29, 2007
    0
    Pretty bad with lots of shouting. Dark and gloomy. Just too revengeful and spiteful, yet also childish and immature. Basically a mess.
  29. SeymourB.
    Jun 29, 2007
    0
    Wow. What happened to you, Kel? You should have listened to Clive. He's going to be even more pissed that he has to send payola checks when he hates the album so much. He will punish you even more than he already has. That's what you get for calling him "dude." Jeez, Kelly, get your head out of your fat keister.
  30. Beckyl.
    Jun 29, 2007
    0
    Breakaway was enjoyable and fun!! But MD is full of tepid lyrics and over the top screaming! This album is full of unforgiveness and revenge.. my 14 and 12 yr old daughters say..let go of the grudge already Kelly..
  31. suezyW
    Jun 29, 2007
    0
    Sorry but I don't like the CD at all. The songs have no real melodies,hooks and the lyrics are just all over the place. I won't be buying it.
  32. AdamH
    Jul 1, 2007
    0
    Sorry, but it's just an awful CD. I wouldn't buy it.
  33. KarmaBitess
    Jun 29, 2007
    0
    What a downer.... after all the great things that have happened to this chick in the last couple of years, all she can think about is "poor me"? Go to Uganda, Kelly, & find out what true misery is. This CD is a self-absorbed mess!
  34. BetsyD.
    Jul 1, 2007
    0
    Why did Kelly do this CD??? It's not good, at all. I'm very disappointed because I've been a huge Kelly fan but I'll pass on this CD. Sorry......
  35. GraceC
    Jul 2, 2007
    0
    Terrible album. Such a let down from her last two. None of the songs have melodys or hooks. She sings mostly on one note, or back and forth between two notes, before jumping into medicore choruses. This is what happens when a good vocalist thinks she is capable of writing a pop hit, when its very apparent two tracks into the CD that people like Max Martin are the only reason she puts out hits.
  36. SusanA
    Jun 26, 2007
    0
    Horrible.
  37. jasong
    Jun 26, 2007
    0
    Belly made one hell of a dud album.
  38. RickS
    Jun 29, 2007
    0
    Easily the best candidate for the worst cd of the year. There's nothing fun or interesting in listening to this cd. Sad juvenile, repetitive lyrics and songs with no real melodies or hook just bring the listener down. I couldn't wait till the end of the cd and I'll never listen to it again. It went in my circular file.
  39. HospitalBryant
    Sep 9, 2017
    0
    A generic pop star trying to be a rock god? Still laughable after all these years.

    Honey, turning the guitars up to 11 won't make your album as rock as the rest.
  40. marchighman
    Sep 22, 2017
    0
    The fact that Kelly Clarkson deemed this as an experimental record proves that she is really a pop-punk poseur, just like her fellow contemporary Avril Lavigne. Kelly really fought Clive Davis over this?

Awards & Rankings

11
#11 Most Discussed Album of 2007
84
#84 Most Shared Album of 2007

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
64

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 15
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 15
  3. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. The Guardian
    60
    She writes in bland generalities... and uses her opulent voice as a battering ram.
    Read full review
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Kelly Clarkson's darker, more personal, riskier third CD.
    Read full review
  3. AllMusic
    60
    There are no hooks, nothing to suck in the many adults that liked Clarkson's first two records.
    Read full review
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