Thankful - Kelly Clarkson
Thankful Image
Metascore
62 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 7 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.2 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 48 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • Summary: Yes, well, she does have a lot to be thankful for, doesn't she. This hit debut album is a direct result of the singer's victory on the first installment of Fox TV's "American Idol" talent competition in 2002. Judging from the album's credits, just about every musician and producer in the industry seemingly worked on the disc, although Clarkson did manage to co-write four out of the dozen songs.… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 7
  3. Negative: 1 out of 7
  1. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Her voice, at times raspy, at times beautifully sultry, is a potent reminder of why America embraced her.
  2. All Music Guide
    80
    A sharp, versatile modern pop record, showcasing her voice, to be sure, but being much better than expectations, much better than the scores of flop diva records that cluttered the pop landscape in late 2002.
  3. Launch.com
    60
    Thankful is everything an American Idol viewer would expect from a debut album: the musical drama of Meat Loaf, Celine Dion, and the crew from Titanic, the R&B pyrotechnics of Whitney Houston, the (sub)urban melodrama of Mariah Carey and lots and lots of vocal gymnastics. That it all sounds like it came from a can is beside the point.
  4. Q Magazine
    20
    This debut has her trilling like Mariah Carey on fluffy R&B tunes. [Oct 2003, p.103]
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See all 7 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 22
  3. Negative: 2 out of 22
  1. AndyH
    10
    A superb album that shouldn't be missed by fans of great pop music and/or excellent singing. This is a prodigiously gifted young lady who deserves her success and long may she continue.… Expand
  2. JD
    8
    Very good album. The standout track is by far 'Just Missed The Train'. Too bad her sophmore effort couldn't be as good as this outstanding album. I hope she returns to this music really soon, because this whole rocker-chick thing isn't workin' dude!… Expand
  3. JasonC
    7
    This is a decent album, but not really anything new or ground breaking. Why in the hell did Q magazine give this album a 20? lol! 20! It';s not that bad even if you listen to it backwards.… Expand
  4. MattR
    4
    Beautiful voice, pretty face and... a CD full of cliched, tired R&B songs. How many times can you sing "Oh Baby", seeing how many modulations and inflections you can throw in? Few memorable melodies, even fewer original song subjects. Someone get this girl a producer!… Collapse

See all 22 User Reviews

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