All I Ever Wanted
by Kelly Clarkson
  • Record Label: Sony
  • Release Date: Mar 10, 2009
Metascore
70

Generally favorable reviews - based on 17 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 17
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 17
  3. Negative: 0 out of 17
  1. Rolling Stone
    60
    Clarkson's sense of grievance, inflated to gargantuan size by her huge voice, can be wearying over 14 songs, particularly when the music sags.
  2. Slant Magazine
    60
    Taken in isolation and out of the context of the album as a whole--say, on the radio--nearly all of these songs work well enough, despite the production choices that don't always play to Clarkson's strengths and which draw too much attention to themselves.
  3. Hartford Courant
    60
    The good songs are great, but the empty bluster on some of the others overshadows the spunky personality that made Clarkson a draw in the first place.
  5. PopMatters
    60
    Though All I Ever Wanted is not a classic pop album by any means, it’s most assuredly a fun one--flaws and all.
  6. Vibe
    60
    With no real stand out single, All I Ever Wanted will be a hit with Clarkson die-hards, but is unlikely to influence any Top 40 outsiders.
  7. NOW Magazine
    60
    While not perfect, her fourth is full of upbeat (and pretty damn good) guitar-driven pop like 'I Do Not Hook Up' and the title track, as well as a few requisite (and equally decent) ballads that make use of her impressive range.
  8. The A.V. Club
    58
    Now she’s working with pro songwriters full-time again, and the result is a likeable but ultimately hackneyed album that presents her as the über-everygirl.
  9. musicOMH.com
    40
    As a product that needs to sell it fits the bill perfectly - there are at least five potential top ten singles here--but as an album, the whole thing feels precision tooled, vacuum-packed and strangely lifeless.

Awards & Rankings

49
#49 Most Discussed Album of 2009

User Reviews

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User Score
6.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 156 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 111 out of 156
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 156
  3. Negative: 41 out of 156
  1. dreammusic
    Dec 21, 2012
    10
    All I Ever Wanted is probably THE standout of Kelly Clarkson's carreer. With her stupendous and rustic voice alongside the awesome lyrics andAll I Ever Wanted is probably THE standout of Kelly Clarkson's carreer. With her stupendous and rustic voice alongside the awesome lyrics and amazing production, this albums has left its mark in the history of pop music. The songs describe heartache, love, breakups, but what really makes this album great are the songs My Life Would Suck Without You, If I Can't Have You, All I Ever Wanted and Already Gone. these four songs are the main highlights of this album and if you are a true Kelly fan, you MUST buys this.… Full Review »
  2. paul_strong
    Apr 5, 2019
    0
    Appalling that people still laud an admitted child abuser. Kelly Clarkson should be locked up in prison for beating up her children.Appalling that people still laud an admitted child abuser. Kelly Clarkson should be locked up in prison for beating up her children. Unbelievable! #MuteKellyClarkson… Full Review »
  3. EzekielLewisCEO
    Oct 31, 2018
    0
    A tiring and generic album coming straight from America's favorite racist. Yay.
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