OH KELLY CLARKSON!!

Sorry about that. Ever since The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Steve Carell’s exclamation of pain during the chest waxing scene is the very first thing that pops into my head whenever I hear Clarkson’s name. That might not be what she would like to hear, but such is life.

At any rate, Kelly is back with her fourth studio release. It’s crazy to think that she started all the way back on American Idol years ago. She’s become a pop star in her own right, with or without the Idol claim to fame. Granted, it was thanks to the TV show that she even got the national stage, but I guess I’m impressed that she’s risen above and beyond those beginnings.

This latest album adheres to the old adage that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” It’s chock full of the same punchy, dance floor-influenced pop tunes that propelled her to stardom in the first place. As such, there really isn’t too much to say about it. It’s a solid pop record and one that will probably please her fans. The lead single, “My Life Would Suck Without You,” mines opposite side of the relationship equation from “Since U Been Gone.” Ironically, a couple of the tracks were originally recorded by Katy Perry for her first album (that ultimately is still unreleased). While her image and Kelly’s are slightly different, I guess this speaks to the elasticity of bubblegum pop.

So there you have it. New Kelly Clarkson album. Chances are good you already know whether this is for you and your iPod/CD/Walkman/8-track rotation. Check it out if it floats your boat.