Kelly Clarkson stretches on 'Stronger'
Kelly Clarkson is stretching again on "Stronger" (RCA). After consolidating all her pop prowess on her irresistible 2009 album, "All You Ever Wanted," she is trying her hand at a variety of genres -- from the acoustic country ache of "Breaking Your Own Heart" to the four-on-the-floor dance-floor stomper "What Doesn't Kill You." She handles it all very well, infusing her tales of empowerment after a breakup with her unique combo of vulnerability and sass. Clarkson is best at the pop put-down, though, and she has a doozy in "Einstein," where she declares, "I may not be Einstein, but I know dumb + dumb = you."
KELLY CLARKSON
"Stronger"
THE GRADE A-
BOTTOM LINE Masterfully covering all her bases