Clarkson: A Little Bitter, a Little Better

Screaming at no-good ex-boyfriends for 90 minutes every night has taken its toll on Kelly Clarkson's voice. But the extra rasp fit her set of scorned-lover anthems at DAR Constitution Hall Wednesday night.

"This is my 'My December' tour, for my 'controversial' new album," she said, referring to the very public feud with her record label. "It's really not that controversial. You'll see."

She was right. The new songs didn't have the melodies, hooks or sparkle to inspire anything other than tame foot-tapping and obligatory applause. But her catalogue of pop singles recorded since her 2002 "American Idol" win more than compensated for her newer, weaker material.

"Behind These Hazel Eyes"? Outstanding. The encore closer, "Since U Been Gone"? Giddy, pogo-jumping heaven. "Because of You"? Hundreds of adorable little-girl voices sang back to Clarkson, threatening to drown her out.

Clarkson, 25, sported a purple silk top, black bell-bottoms and a tiny tattoo of a cross on the inside of her right wrist. Even if her voice sounded a little hoarse, she betrayed no other signs of fatigue as she belted out her songs and bopped around the stage.

The height of boy-bashing came during "Chivas," a hidden track on "My December" that she said she wrote on bar napkins while drunk: "I can't stand the sight of your face/Baby, I don't even want to hear your name." It's venomous, yet playful and smart.

Maybe Clarkson and Chivas Regal should co-write more often.

-- Rachel Beckman