Richard Drew / AP
Release Date: June 26
Artist: Kelly Clarkson
Record Label: RCA
On her first album, American Idol's inaugural winner just wanted people not to laugh at her. On her second, she wanted to become a genuine pop star. Clarkson succeeded both times, but her third album finds the little Texan attempting her biggest evolutionary leap yet—from pop singer to singer/songwriter. RCA boss Clive Davis believes there's a time and place for artists to sing their own songs, and that time and place is in the shower. But Clarkson fought for her own material and won the chance to gamble with her hard-earned career. Any one doubting her chances to succeed should remember that she has a track record of beating long odds.