My December - Kelly Clarkson
My December Image
Metascore

Generally favorable reviews - based on 15 Critics What's this?

User Score

Generally favorable reviews- based on 234 Ratings

  • Summary: The singer's third disc was produced by David Kahne and features an unlikely contribution on bass from Mike Watt (The Minutemen).
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 15
  2. Negative: 1 out of 15
  1. Kelly Clarkson's darker, more personal, riskier third CD.
  2. 80
    Clarkson has never sounded this depressive or spiteful. [Jul 2007, p.112]
  3. There are no hooks, nothing to suck in the many adults that liked Clarkson's first two records.
  4. 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.

See all 15 Critic Reviews

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. Expand
  2. 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.. Expand
  3. 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. Expand
  4. JoeyM
    4
    I am a huge fan of Kelly's previous work...but I'msorry...she took such a big risk by releasing this album....now she must pay the price its such a vengeful album...though i loved 'yeah' and 'one minute' there the only decent uplifting songs...the rest is a complete misery fest I'm sorry but what a complete letdown 2 breakaway. Expand

See all 170 User Reviews