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The debut by former American Idol contestant Michael Johns has more in common with James Morrison (who contibuted lyrics to the album) and Marc Broussard than it does with any other Idol castoffs. Hold Back My Heart is another example of why it’s far better for good singers to lose the popular “reality” music show than to win.

The album opens with the solidly sincere ballad “Heart On My Sleeve”, but much more interesting are the retro soul arrangements of “Feelin’ Alright” and a revamped cover of The Bee Gees’ “To Love Somebody”.

The bluesier songs on the album – “Little Bear”, “Mountains”, and the album’s sultry title track – seem to best suit John’s rich voice. The Australian singer-songwriter’s throaty croons and howls remind me of former INXS frontman Michael Hutchence.

You can download a free mp3 of “Heart On My Sleeve” at Amazon by clicking the following link…

Michael Johns – Heart On My Sleeve (Free Amazon Mp3)

Michael Johns MySpace

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Former American Idol contestant Amanda Overmyer’s debut album Solidify – which she produced, wrote, and arranged herself – is pretty much the loud Southern bar fare you’d expect. But I personally think that’s a good thing.

Amanda Overmyer never really belonged on American Idol, did she? I thought her Southern Rock grit was a breath of fresh air on a show that had long gone stale with pop and country mannequins. I also liked her refusal to soften up her image or tone down her vocal delivery to suit the judges – who continue to show how out of touch they are by calling any creativity “weird” or “indulgent”. I and everyone I know loved Adam Lambert’s twisted cover of “Ring of Fire” (which he either took from Universal Hall Pass or Dilanna on Rockstar:INXS). But I digress.

Thunderous guitars try to keep up with Amanda’s growls and wails on the opener “Fail To Compromise” and “Love Me Like You Want”. The slightly softer “Hole In The Wall” is less interesting, but solid enough.

Despite her own claim that “ballads are boring”, Overmyer does attempt a few croons on the album. She pulls it off in the bluesy “Play On”, but the cringe-inducing patriotic number “Fight Like A Son” and tepid ballad “Lay It Down” are the album’s weakest points.

Amanda’s strength unquestionably lies in ripping her own throat out in cacophonous rockers like “Call Your Mama”, the humorous “Varmint Rifle”, and the ominous “Iroquois Lane” (which may or may not be an ode to “Copperhead Road”).

Obviously this is not an album for anyone, particularly if you are pre-disposed to automatically hate any reality show contestant. But for those of us who enjoy Southern Rock and don’t take all our music so seriously, it’s a fun listen.

Amanda Overmyer – Fail to Compromise (mp3 expired)

Amanda Overmyer Official Site

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Melinda Doolittle is one of the few truly talented singers to have graced the oft mediocre American Idol stage. The former backup singer’s debut album Coming Back To You will be released by HiFi Recordings on February 3, 2009. Melinda once again proves that she is no ordinary Idol alum by recording an album that blends retro soul, jazz, and modern pop into a style perfectly suited for her larger than life voice.

Melinda’s voice possess the kind of depth and integrity of classic soul singers like Tina Turner, Gladys Knight, and Patti LaBelle. Soul tunes like the funky and brassy “Fundamentally” allow her to croon, growl, and wail her best. “It’s Your Love” is a smoother, stirring doo-wop number in which her velvet voice soars.

The title track is one of album’s few weaknesses, with a lifeless melody weighing Melinda’s voice down. But the song is the exception, as the rest of the album is bombastically gorgeous and brimming with soul.

Doolittle quickly gets back on track with a howling rendition of “Declaration of Love”, the kind of peppy tune that best shows off her energetic vocal style. Melinda barely restrains her guttural roar on a lively cover of Robert Johnson’s “Dust My Broom”. The song is very good as it is, but could’ve been truly stunning with a bluesier arrangement like that of Cassandra Wilson‘s recent rendition or the other Johnson tune Doolittle tackles: “Walkin’ Blues”.

The serene ballad “I’ll Never Stop Loving You” and the finale “Wonder Why” reveal the softer, warmer facet of her voice. But it’s the gospel-tinged “We Will Find A Way” that unleashes the Aretha hiding within Melinda Doolittle.

I think losing the American Idol competition and retaining her creative freedom was the best thing that could have happened to Melinda. I can’t imagine that the producers of the show would have allowed her to release such a wonderful throwback album. I really hope Coming Back To You receives the attention it deserves, because Doolittle has the vocal power to become an enduring star if given the chance.

I was not granted permission to include an mp3, but you can hear samples at the links below.

Melinda Doolittle – It’s Your Love (audio stream)

Melinda Doolittle MySpace

Buy @ Amazon