Music reviews: Kelly Clarkson , Devon Sproule, Toby Keith

Kelly Clarkson, "Stronger" (RCA Records) ***

Kelly Clarkson has been wowing audiences with her powerful voice since she burst onto the scene as the first "American Idol" winner a decade ago. Since then, the dynamic singer has sold millions by making female empowerment anthems her mantra, from booming pop-rock songs that call for women to stand up for themselves to finger-wagging tunes that tell not-good-enough men that they're not good enough.

Clarkson's fifth studio album, "Stronger," addresses the same issues with a "richer and fuller" sound than usual: Clarkson said she wanted to sound like she does when performing live, without employing any of the modern-day tuning aides. The result is a more natural sound that allows her already explosive voice to bloom even more.

The record is full of danceable tracks that just won't budge from your humming repertoire. Whether it's pop, rock, 1980s riffs or electro streaks, "Stronger" has all the ingredients for a well-balanced offering. Clarkson worked on the eclectic record with a variety of A-list producers such as Rodney Jerkins, Greg Kurstin, Josh Abraham and Toby Gad. She also co-wrote five of the album's tracks.

First single "Mr. Know It All" hits all the right notes by going for the jugular, with lyrics like "You ain't got the right to tell me/ When and where to go," and "Mr. Bring me down/ Well ya like to bring me down don't ya/ But I ain't laying down."

Along the way, her unstoppable voice channels Bonnie Tyler and! Tori Am os in "Honestly," which urges for complete disclosure (even if the truth hurts); "I Forgive You" and "You Can't Win" sound like they were made for the soundtrack of an adorable rom-com.

Only Clarkson can beguile with a ballad like "Dark Side," half music box chimes, half pop anthem. "Everybody has a dark side/Do you love me?/Can you love mine?" After a listen to "Stronger," the answer is a definitive "yes."

Cristina Jaleru, The Associated Press

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Devon Sproule, "I Love You, Go Easy" (Tin Angel) ***

I had been reading about Devon Sproule, and words like warm and sunny and contentment popped in the articles. And then I listened to "I Love You, Go Easy," her seventh album.

It begins with Sproule alone with a guitar, sounding as if she just stepped into Sun Studios circa 1954 to cut an acetate disc. There is this otherworldly gloominess on the song "Body's in Trouble," with Sproule's voice cracking as she sings about something gone wrong. It's mysterious enough to keep you guessing. It has an eeriness like you just found yourself in a deserted forest.

And then, naturally, Sproule brings out a brass band to begin the next song.

So it goes on "I Love You, Go Easy," an eclectic mix of new folk, pop and even jazz. Sproule grew up on a commune in Virginia and began recording and touring before she was 18. She is now in her late 20s, married, lives in Europe and remains grossly underappreciated for her talents.

On this album, Sproule seems to channel Bonnie Prince Billy in that she's able to craft a song with a nice, flowing melody that could even be considered upbeat by some standards. Then she litters it with obtuse lyrics about loss and doubt and fleeting feelings. She then sings it rather plainly, never needlessly stretching her voice. It's melancholia all over again.

There's still the sweet country ramble of "Now's the Time." And the trumpet and pitter-patter of a drum on "Monk/Monkey" is toe-tapping.

"It's the same song over and over and over! again" sings Sproule as the song "The Evening Ghost Crab" begins to fade out. But it isn't. Each song is its own little world on this album.

Sproule finishes the album with "The Warning Bell," a song that describes what happens when a musician comes home from being on the road. There's doubt. There's longing for the road. But there's also stability and a semblance of home. She sings: "On the nights the guitar feels right and I ain't sick of the songs, it's a pretty good job."

Scott Fallon, Staff Writer

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