Kelly Clarkson back in Idol's arms

I do not know if I missed it but I looked and looked and looked but I could not find the name Clive Davis in the credits of Kelly Clarkson’s latest album, All I Ever Wanted. The legendary producer gets first crack at the winners of American Idol and he played a big role in the success of Clarkson’s first two CDs, Thankful, five million copies sold with A Moment Like This and the 10 million selling Breakaway with Because of You, Behind These Hazel Eyes and Since U Been Gone.

The relationship went sour when Kelly insisted on releasing My December, her third album in 2007. More rock than pop and containing her own compositions, Davis thought it was too dark for her fans and will not sell. He was proven right. My December became her lowest seller and even the effect was such that even her concert sales suffered. The CD eventually made platinum but that is still quite low by Clarkson’s standard. And come to think of it, the only cut I remember from the album is Never Again and again not in the same way I remember A Moment Like This or Because of You.

I do not know if Davis and Kelly have since then patched up their differences but I still had to look for his name in the CD sleeve because it is very obvious that she took his advice to heart. All I Ever Wanted rocks but in a nice pop style. This is the Clarkson we remember from three years ago. Not only that, the commercial material comes combined with her fuller tones and more confident delivery. This Idol is back where she belongs and I have a feeling she will soon be counting CD sales by the millions.

The first single and best cut My Life Would Suck Without You sets the tone and from there it is a veritable belting feast on a bed of loud guitars and a driving beat. The kids will love this and all young divas around will wonder why they didn’t think of something like this and will soon try doing their Clarkson bit. Other good bets for the charts are Already Gone, All I Ever Wanted, Don’t Let Me Stop You, I Do Not Hook Up and Long Shot. Take note there are songs composed by Kelly, Katy Perry of I Kissed a Girl fame and by Idol judge Kara Dioguardi.

Now some Idol news: Loved American Idol’s decision to do a Wild Card round this year to give a chance to entrants who stood out but did not get enough votes to make the finals. It was also great that the judges were asked to decide who should get another try and who among them should make the next round. This gave assurance that only the best would make the grade and not those with the most number of relatives manning multiple phones. The wild-cards edition did make for an exciting show. And in the end they chose not only three but four contestants.

So for the first time, the final round starts out with 13 aspirants instead of 12. Here are their names. One of them will be the next American Idol. Alexis Grace whom judge Simon Cowell said reminded him of Clarkson; Michael Sarver, who works in an oil rig; Danny Gokey, a widower who might end up on the sexiest men list; Adam Lambert, the cutesy Jonas brother look-alike; newly-wed Kris Allen; red-headed Latina Allison Irehata who is only 16; tornado victim Lil Rounds; sight-impaired prodigy Scott MacIntyre; linguist Jorge Nunez; Jasmine Murray, the other 16-year-old in the competition; font designer Megan Joy Corkrey; pianist Matt Giraud; and the lucky 13 guy, Anoop Desai.

The elimination process starts today, Wednesday and Kelly will be around to recall her Idol days and perhaps sing her latest hit Suck. If I remember right there was a time when Kelly was quoted as dissing her Idol experience. I thought that was probably the reason why we seldom saw her in the show. Now, now, fans do not really relish hearing an Idol go all ingrata against what gave her the big break. Was that also another reason why sales of her last CD suffered and why her tour two years ago was cancelled because of poor ticket sales? But she is back and was probably contrite and is now forgiven.