Clarkson’s new album a winning concoction

Musically speaking, the cold days of winter are over, and the sunny days of summer have arrived.

After the public's rejection of her last album, "My December," Kelly Clarkson goes back to her roots with her latest album, "All I Ever Wanted," offering once again a CD plastered with outstanding vocals and catchy lyrics.

Casting aside the dark and gloomy veil she wore for the more sober and haunted previous release, Clarkson brightens up with the first single and megahit, "My Life Would Suck Without You." Playing upon similar aspects of "Since U Been Gone," she creates yet another song to get stuck in your head for days, one that you will not only enjoy singing but also remember distinctly as "that was Kelly."

The CD never once loses its user-friendly, summer vacation vibe, climaxing with the attitude-ridden, electric guitar-layered "Whyyawannabringmedown," leaving us remembering why we chose her as our first "American Idol."

The vocals offered by Clarkson and the sound -- ranging from pop to rock to country -- work together in a flexible concoction created with a winning formula, surpassing even that of the multiplatinum album "Breakaway."

Though the CD has only one true ballad, it flows well with the rest of the songs, Clarkson's vocals shining through in honest sincerity.

With each song unique and successful by itself, together they make an album that shows Clarkson is once again the girl to beat.

Step aside Jordin Sparks; Kelly Clarkson is back.