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What’s the Story?

Reviewed by Kathi Kamen Goldmark

On her self-titled album, KATHARINE McPHEE, McPhee shows that she really can sing -- and deserves every bit of the star treatment she got on American Idol. She's given a chance to strut her considerable stuff on a couple of breathtaking ballads ("Ordinary World" and "Better Off Alone"), but she also shows that she's capable of some "girls-just-wanna-have-fun" attitude on "Open Toes": "Shoes like this make me hate flats... / Swipe that card and I'm good / another pair in leather and wood / I'm a sucker for a name brand." Other songs address tougher emotional terrain, including "Better off Alone," an anthem to independence in the wake of a disappointing love affair.

Is It Any Good?

4

Katharine McPhee delivers a dozen pleasant tracks of well-performed pop that cover the emotional landscape of being a teen. Lyrics skirt on the edge of innuendo, but are really pretty tame. They're also occasionally really well-written, and always well-performed.

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