Originally posted by Taigan
Lol, Breakaway "bombed" world wide? Seriously, you don't know what you're talking about.
First of all, Breakaway has sold more than most of the albums in this list. It is certified 6 times platinum in the US and has sold MORE than 12 million worldwide. Where are the receipts? Damn, just go to Wikipedia and look at those OUTDATED numbers. In fact, every time Kelly performs her Breakaway singles on shows like Ellen, American Idol etc. they rocket up itunes. Sales-wise, Breakaway is among the top.
It spawned five massive singles: including Breakaway (BB peak #6, 1.4mil sold), Since U Been Gone (BB peak 2, more than 2.2mil sold), Behind These Hazel Eyes (BB peak #6, more than 1.3mil sold), Because of You (BB peak #7, more than 1.5mil sold) and Walk Away (BB peak 12, more than 1mil sold). Not only were these single sales spectacular for the time of release (when digital sales were not as high as today) but they also acquired a great amount of airplay. I believe she was one of the most played artists on the radio in 2005 and 2006.
Kelly Clarkson was the epitome of pop/rock during Breakaway, outselling her competition who were still paving their way into the genre, even though they may have started beforehand. Actually, before 2005, Pink's stuff was more R&B/Dancey than it is now, and none of her singles had the pop/rock edge of Clarkson's (until, of course, after Breakaway). Similarly, Avril was more pop than rock, and had a young punk image that varies greatly from Clarkson's style. Clarkson paved the way for an edgy pop rock image, just look at her videos for Since U Been Gone, Behind These Hazel Eyes and Because of You. When someone says pop/rock, these are ICONIC.
Furthermore, Breakaway led to a massive tour, and the performances of Breakaway songs, such as Because of You at the Grammy's, have garnered Clarkson great critical acclaim. The songs on Breakaway, which Clarkson co-wrote with the likes of Dr. Luke and Max Martin, really consolidated their positions as hit-makers in the industry. Had it not been for the success of this album (they were involved with Behind These Hazel Eyes as well as SUBG), these writers would not have had the power to define pop music as much as they have in the later years, like producing hit after hit for Katy Perry or bringing Kesha to the scene, for example. In fact, prior to Since U Been Gone, Max's music styles were mostly europop, heavy metal or funk oriented. It was after Breakaway that he truly reinvented his image. AFTER Breakaway, Dr. Luke produced Pink's Who Knew and U and Ur Hand and when Pink released songs like So What, Dear Mr. President etc. So no, Avril and Pink have not been doing pop/rock long before Kelly, it was after Breakaway that they really came into these styles as we know them today. Finally, there is also Kara Dioguardi, who co-wrote much of Breakaway, including Walk Away, You Found Me and Hear Me. Her career was also propelled (and she later produced hits like Sober, for Pink, Good Girls Go Bad for Cobra Starship etc.)
No one can deny that Breakaway also helped Idol. Without a successful first winner, the show would not have gotten the recognition is has today, and impact in introducing so many acts, such as Jordin Sparks, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood or Daughtry to the music scene. Breakaway is the most successful album from an album alumni, it's status not only propelled Kelly to super stardom, but also the show she came off from. That is undeniable.
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