Kelly Clarkson Sings The Virtues of Picking Up The Pieces

Kelly Clarkson sings about how important it is to have a strong father figure in one's life in her brand new "Piece By Piece". To make the subject matter easier to swallow she's blessed with some light ethereal keyboard fills that tend to glide over her feminine, proud, one would even say defiant vocals. You don't get much weightier than the sight of a father's back headed for the airport. That's essentially the ultimate kiss off. You don't get over that so easily, sometimes not at all, depending on the person who wronged you. I know from daddy issues. It certainly stings. In the video, Kelly casts a radiant glow. The black and white motif suits her and the topic at hand. Towards the end we are treated to many smile worthy snapshots. Kelly's range remains a force to be reckoned with. She really rounds into form on moderate and higher ranges. Given how perky the single is you wouldn't know she deals with material that isn't easy on the emotional palate. Then again Kelly sure does have a history of baring her inner yawp. It's her stock in trade. Listening to her body of work resembles taking a peek at someone's journal. She makes music to please herself as much as she does her core audience. Speak of said audience, it will find Kelly's persona easy to enjoy. For me "Since U Been Gone" demonstrated early on that Kelly's not going to roll over and die simply because you insist she do it. That single was danceable but with claws out daring you to get up in her face making a big production out of things. By comparison "Piece By Piece" benefits from its shuffle step. If you lean in close enough you'll be able to detect my meaning. Kelly's one mom who isn't about to mess around. That daddy of hers isn't going to come marching back in after having wreaked so much havoc and expect to pick up where things left off. Kelly points out the difference between him and the man in her life who wants nothing other than to take care of her. Strings? What strings? The restored spring in Kelly's step can be detected for miles around. Therein lies the importance of not letting one man, the primary man, the man who helped give you life, cast a pall over the rest of your relationships. Especially when others, if you have the courage to let them, can gladly pick up the cosmic slack. "Because Of You" highlighted the damage that happens when past hurts make you afraid to let down your guard long enough to let anyone else in. "Piece By Piece" shows Kelly making peace with her past and welcoming in love that gives instead of takes away from.