The American Idol machine is obviously rooted in hypocrisy. Winners are marketed as tomorrow's music superstars, yet restrained from creative input on their own work. So it really wasn't a surprise that Kelly Clarkson'"who wrote or co-wrote all of this third go-round'"clashed with label head Clive Davis. As a businessman, he was right: There are no "Since U Been Gone"s here to offset the morose introspection. As a music aficionado, he was way off: My December is a brave, deeply personal triumph.