It was 2002 when American Idol crowned Kelly Clarkson its first champion. College freshman were 9 years old, and thinking about that makes me feel very old. It is now 2011, and Clarkson just released her fifth studio album, “Stronger,” on Oct. 21. While it probably will not win her any new fans, it won’t scare away her “old” ones either.

The overall sound is similar to work in her previous albums, but slightly edgier, especially during the first six songs.

The album’s lead single, “Mr. Know It All,” which reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, has strong R&B influences. It sounds like a cross between Joss Stone and Beyoncé. It’s not too original. While listening to it the first time, I pictured it being played during a particularly poignant part of a ‘90s Julia Stiles movie. It is enjoyable to listen to though, and definitely a shift from her previous album, “All I Ever Wanted,” which was very pop sounding in comparison.

Clarkson is able to pull off just about every genre with her strong, versatile voice. This undoubtedly led to her success on American Idol since she was able to sing songs from the varying categories thrown at her week to week. It also gives variety within her albums. However, she struggles to craft her own identity. This is a problem in “Stronger.”

Clarkson many times sounds like other artists. At various times, she channels Katy Perry (her second single and album namesake “Stronger”), Amy Lee of Evanescence (“Honestly”), and Mandy Moore (the chorus of “Standing in Front of You”). The album is all over the place. Maybe too many producers is the problem. She worked with a total of five: “All I Wanted” producers Howard Benson and Claude Kelly, Jason Halbert, a producer from her third album, “My December,” Rodney Jerkins and Toby Gad.

One thing the producers get right is not messing with her voice too much. Clarkson’s vocal performance is perhaps her best to date. Clarkson said that she purposely wanted the album to sound as though she were singing live. It still sounds like a recording of course, but it is raspier. Listeners can hear when her voice is straining – which makes for more authentic sounding music.

The emotional progression of the album goes from pain and anger to lighter, happier “I’m over it” songs in the second half. It’s a little disingenuous because the difference is so blatant and is more bipolar than a gradual shift.

However one of the “I’m over it” songs, “I Forgive You” is quite a refreshing change of course from all the “I hate you” songs that permeate the first half of the album. So maybe the sudden shift is necessary. I really enjoyed the clubish backbeat that begins the song and wish it was used more prominently throughout the song. It would have made the song a little darker, but more interesting to listen to.

Instead of covering so many genres, Clarkson should focus on creating complexity within her songs and perhaps better lyrics. Many of the songs are repetitive and predictable.

Overall, there aren’t any songs that stand out quite as much as some of her hits like “Miss Independent,” “Since U Been Gone” and “My Life Would Suck Without You,” but the album gets better with repeated listens.

It’s hard to say where to listen to this album. It’s not deep enough to sit around and pensively listen to on your own, but it’s not happy, “hanging out” music either. I think it would work well as background music in the car, when you don’t feel like listening to anything substantial.

The album includes 13 tracks and 17 in the deluxe version. The deluxe version includes Clarkson’s duet with Jason Aldean, “Don’t You Wanna Stay?” and might be worth paying the extra for fans of that song.

Katie McMillin can be reached at [email protected].