Kelly Clarkson — Breakaway

Breakaway is the sound of semi-talented rockers learning that they can make more money writing schlock-rock tunes for their younger pop counterparts.

With Ben Moody and even Canadian-turned-permanent-Malibu-honeymooners Chantal Kreviazuk and Raine Maida on board, the strong songs on Kelly Clarkson's sophomore record serve as evidence that Evanescence and Avril Lavigne were likely mere stepping stones for these songwriters. On top of that, Kelly Clarkson possesses a bigger voice than either of them.

Clarkson, once torn between Christina Aguilera divadom and Faith Hill adult country, now smartly follows Lavigne (herself a co-writer for the soaring title track) and Amy Lee's angst-ridden rock palette on power ballads like "Because Of You" or the heavy "Hear Me."

Clarkson is still far from being Miss Independent, but with this album, she breaks away from her American Idol roots for some surprisingly solid pop-rock.

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