AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 2: ALL-TIME CLASSIC AMERICAN LOVE SONGS (828765116923)

With first-ever American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson storming the charts, there's no end to the musical gifts spinning off America's favorite new talent show. This various-artist album features the finalists from the second season of the show. Each finalist performs a cover of a classic love song. Two ensemble efforts bookend the set, "What The World Needs Now Is Love" and "God Bless The USA." These young singers offer a fresh take on the much-covered Burt Bacharach/Hal David classic, "What The World Needs Now." Though already brilliantly rendered by many solo performers, the multiple voices take this fabulous number to a new place. And the arrangements keep pace.

Ruben Studdard brings on the moonlight with the Bonnie Bramlett/Leon Russell-penned "Superstar." Vintage listeners will associate this song with the sweet voice of the late Karen Carpenter. Studdard brings more vocal gymnastics to the table, but he avoids taking it too far and killing the essence of this great melody. Clay Aiken continues to melt young hearts with the soaring "On The Wings of Love." Beginning as a light acoustic number, "On The Wings" builds into a lush chorus. Aiken sustains this timeless piece with great vocals; he hits every note perfectly.

The then-and-now classic, "At Last" -- written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren and performed by everyone from Etta James to Doris Day to Celine Dion -- gets yet another makeover by Julia DeMato. The result is at once sultry and hook laden, thanks both to the unique melody and to DeMato's beautiful, controlled vocal verve. Joshua Gracin sings Lionel Richie's "Three Times A Lady." Here you've got passion laid over piano and violin. Al Green's soul masterpiece, "Let's Stay Together," sounds new-millennium-fresh when it's delivered by the terrific-with-a-capital-T Trenyce. This young soon-to-be-star nails the high notes with genuine force while she warbles tantalizingly on others.

Rickey Smith chips in with style on the Brian McKnight standard, "Back At One," and the song benefits from some light horns. Kimberly Caldwell breathes fresh life into the Fox/Gimbel gem, "Killing Me Softly With His Song." (This tune was a No. 1 hit for Roberta Flack back in 1973.) Corey Clark spellbinds the listener with "Open Arms," which has also been covered by Mariah Carey. Carmen Rasmusen sings Diane Warren's "How Do I Live (Without You)" like she means it. Fans will remember this song was a recent hit for LeAnn Rimes.

Going out on the longest limb of all, Kimberley Locke sings "Over The Rainbow." By going down-tempo, adding a big band feel, and throwing in some brilliant vocal inflections, this young star does an outstanding job. So too does Charles Grigsby when he hits Stevie Wonder's "Overjoyed" clear out of the park. "Overjoyed" is a perfect choice for Charles' voice, and the string arrangements are celestial.

The album closes with the whole crew singing the flag-waver, "God Bless The USA (Proud To Be An American)." This album offers a unique combination of fine easy-listening favorites -- all familiar songs -- made brand new by the latest, greatest up-and-comers, all young attention-getters with the world at their feet. This is a joyful, romantic album and a celebration of what can be.

By Adrian Zupp