American Idol runners-up have a penchant for outshining the winners of their seasons. Take Season 2 runner-up Clay Aiken drubbing Ruben Studdard in both debut album sales and celebrity status. Or Season 3's Jennifer Hudson, who didn't even make the top three, garnering an Oscar nomination for her supporting role in Dreamgirls.
And then there's Katharine McPhee, the latest runner-up, whose self-titled debut is likely to become the next pop radio darling. The opening song, "Love Story," sounds as if it could've come off one of Beyoncé's albums, complete with horn bleats a la "Crazy in Love." Later on in the album, "Open Toes" proves that it may well be the next girl-powered club anthem, with its snaky electronic beats and lighthearted ode to high-heeled footwear.
Yet for every gem of a pop song, there are two or three filler songs that would make good elevator music. The slower songs feel especially clunky, filled with weepy violins and generic R&B anthems to love (see "Home").
Still, this is a surprisingly strong, above-average release in a genre that is currently glutted with female pop/R&B crooners who can belt it out. Here's hoping McPhee can keep up with the rest of the pack.
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