American Idol Season 4: The Showstoppers – Good News and Bad News

American Idol Season 4: The Showstoppers is anything but. Even before I heard the track listing, I wondered about this theme. How indeed can a CD even hope to offer a collection of “showstoppers” when the recording of these tracks had to have been done sometime in early to mid-April? Anyone who watched the show knows that the real showstoppers occurred in the last half of the season, and the tracks on this CD don’t even come close to packing the same wallop. As faithful viewers, we will remember Bo’s Reality TV Hall of Fame Moment performance of “In a Dream” and Carrie’s “Alone” or “Crying” as the turning points of the season, for them at least. Trying to pawn off this weak collection as being something extra-special just doesn’t quite work.

Another problem with this theme is that the people who were voted off early on didn’t have as many opportunities to produce such show-stopping moments, and their contributions to this collection seem somewhat paltry. It would have been so much better if this year’s CD had followed the same pattern as last year’s – that is, picked a theme and allowed the contestants to select a fresh song appropriate to that theme. That way, everyone would have a fair shot, and we would have a chance to hear something new from our favorites.

There is absolutely no cohesion to this CD, and the tracks clang up against one another, in a jarring and dissonant fashion. We go from country to rock to soul to pop and on and on… no even flow, no continuity, nothing. This is the kind of CD you might buy to listen to two or three tracks, but even I, as dedicated an Idol fan as I am, have not yet been able to listen to this from start to finish. This is a shame because this year’s contestants are better than what this CD reflects.

Despite the clanging and jarring, a couple of the tracks are really pretty good. Unfortunately they are not enough to save this CD from the bargain table.

Here’s a rundown.

"Independence Day" – Carrie Underwood: She sings this well, but I am already sick of hearing this song. Certainly, it’s a matter of personal preference, but I really don’t like country/pop or whatever this is. That being said, Carrie already has the vocal polish that it usually takes new artists several years to develop, and her voice records beautifully. She is darn good. Was this a showstopper? You decide.

"I Don't Want To Be" – Bo Bice: Love Bo, do not love this song. Bo sang at least five other songs prior to the cut-off date for this CD that really were showstoppers. Maybe they couldn’t get clearance, or maybe this is the one he wanted to do. Who knows? I listen to it because it’s Bo and the song is actually beginning to grow on me. He sure sounds good recorded, though!

“Best of My Love” – Vonzell Solomon: Now this is more like it. Vonzell’s personality shines through the recording, and the production enhances her vocal ability. I think it may be better than the original, and that’s saying something. Vonzell records very well, and should have a bright future.

"A House Is Not a Home" – Anwar Robinson: I hate to say this, but this song is just plain boring. Quite honestly, I haven’t yet been able to make it all the way through this snooze fest. The performance is technically quite good but there is no pizzazz to it. This could have been a showstopper, but sadly it failed.

"You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" – Nadia Turner: Now this is a showstopper. If Nadia Turner could have sung like this consistently, week after week, there is no doubt in my mind that she easily could have won the competition. Excellent! I look forward to hearing her sing this live.

"Part-Time Lover" – Nikko Smith: Nikko does a great job with this song, avoiding the karaoke trap and infusing it with his own energy and style. Problem is, this song is totally played out. Of course, Nikko didn’t have as many show-stopping selections from which to choose, and had to make do with what he had. I will say that I have listened to it all the way through – several times – which is high praise for this CD. I just hope he doesn’t disappear once the tour is over.

"My Funny Valentine" – Constantine Maroulis: Why this one? Maybe they picked this song to appeal to the older ladies in the audience, the kind who have money to throw around buying CDs that they will only listen to three times. Hmmmmm, could be. I can’t stand this song. It represents everything that I don’t like about Constantine and gives me none of the positives. It stopped something, all right, but certainly not the show.