American Idol: Season 4: The Showstoppers

Good singing, but not much more.

Artist: Various Artists
Genre: Pop Label: RCA Parental Advisory: No Edited Version Available: No Release Date: 05/17/2005

Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that content-wise, there is nothing to worry about, so the whole family can listen to this one.

Families can talk about the differences between each singer's styles. Even though they stemmed from the same show, how do they maintain their own sound? Is there a common way that each American Idol protégé approaches a song?

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Kathi Kamen Goldmark

AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 4: THE SHOWSTOPPERS sounds like a very good night at your local karaoke bar. A dozen exceptional singers strut their stuff on standards, over instrumental tracks most often arranged to sound like the original versions of the songs. Everyone is a little too "on" -- flashy vocal acrobatics abound when occasional understatement might be more effective -- but all deliver fine performances of predictable pop. If you like American Idol, and engage in voting for your favorites, you'll probably enjoy this album.

If you don't care about Anwar, Nikko, Scott, Carrie, or Bo, though, leave this one on the music store rack. Familiar songs performed by copycats will sound a little "off" if you love the originals; no matter how well performed these versions are, they come off sounding like what they are: talented amateurs trying too hard. No one brings anything personal or original to the table, and that's a shame, because these kids really can sing.

High points are a bubbly "Knock on Wood" by Lindsey Cardinale (the interesting arrangement includes an actual modulation, and it's such a fun song to begin with) and the gooey finale, "When You Tell Me That You Love Me," by the entire ensemble. Bottom line: if you're not an American Idol fan to begin with, buying the karaoke tracks and making your own CD will be a lot more fun.

If your kids like this CD, they might also like, American Idol: Season 5: Encores, and American Idol: Season 2: All-Time Classic American Love Songs.

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