The James Logan Courier

By Carmen Shiu, Courier Entertainment Editor

Next Tuesday, American Idol's runner-up of season five, Katharine McPhee, will be releasing her debut self-titled album. On the hit FOX reality series, McPhee instantly blew many people away with her performance of Somewhere over the Rainbow, chosen by Simon Cowell himself when there were three finalists left (including winner Taylor Hicks and Elliott Yamin).

This new album from McPhee has its good and bad parts. Overall, a bit more was expected out of this Big "It" Girl (an epithet given as an award to McPhee during VH1's Big in 06 Awards ).

Over It, the only true pop song on this self-titled rhythm pop album, is the first single. This type of song sounds like something young teen star JoJo (Leave (Get Out, Too Little Too Late ) would sing and definitely would sing it better. The style just simply does not fit McPhee too well. However, this new single is slowly starting to climb up the charts.

For those who are fans of up-tempo songs, there are afour of them on this album Love Story, Open Toes, Not Ur Girl, and Dangerous. Although the music is danceable, McPhee s voice does not sound her best. Perhaps it just takes some time getting used to after a few more listens.

A strong point of McPhee's talents though is definitely the way she adjusts her vocals for ballads, as it is proven in Home and Better off Alone. When it comes to slow songs (like Somewhere over the Rainbow ), she shines like astar. McPhee should head towards that direction as she will be experimenting more in the future of her career.

One of the better songs on this 12-track album is the last one, Everywhere I Go. The music, style, and lyrics matched up perfectly.

Principally, McPhee's self-titled album really is not that bad, but it is not as extremely impressive as people might expect. There are few songs that AI fans love as much as her performances on the show. Her voice somehow just show cased better there than on this album. Perhaps it is the style or simply the way shesings it.McPhee does have a great voice, but presenting it in a different style might work better for her.

Whether this album sells well or not (that is based McPheever and Kat-Pack as her major supporters), McPhee will do better in the future if her style changes. This situation can be compared to AI s first winner, Kelly Clarkson, where she gained more success after changing her style to a bit more pop-rock edge to it.

No matter what, the future of the musicscene will include McPhee because it will not be likely for her to disappear any time soon.