American Idol: Season Eight Various Artists (CD)
The top 10 contestants from the popular TV talent show present American Idol: Season Eight, a collection of upbeat numbers, slow ballads and catchy tunes you'll want on repeat.
It opens and closes with versions of No Boundaries - one by Idol winner, Kris Allen, the other by runner-up Adam Lambert - a song about chasing your dreams even when they seem impossible. While Allen's soulful voice slides effortlessly through the track, Lambert gives the number a raw edge.
Lambert's Mad World, the song that won him a standing ovation from Idol's most ruthless judge, Simon Cowell, is another outstanding number.
Allison Iraheta and Lil Rounds both sing beautifully about the pain of unrequited love on I Can't Make You Love Me and I Surrender respectively, and Anoop Desai's voice is so soothing on Always on My Mind, the song is like a lullaby.
More upbeat numbers include Danny Gokey's Stand by Me, Walkin' After Midnight by Megan Corkrey and one of the season's highlights, Human Nature, sung by Matt Giraud. This compilation should keep Idol fans happy until the new season starts next month.
