Canadian Idol: Greatest Moments Compilation

Oh, Canadian Idol, how difficult it is to love you. As From Justin To Kelly and that insipid Clay Aiken single have already taught us, while the Idol shows offer up plenty of good times, their post-show products are rarely as savory.

The first official Canadian Idol merch item — a compilation of syrupy songs performed by the Top 11 finalists — fails to capture any of the distinctly Canadian quirks that make the show charming. There’s not an ounce of pizzazz on this disc: even the more talented Idols (Gary Beals, Audrey de Montigny) go for schmaltzy songs and deliver them in the flattest way possible. Jenny Gear and Richie Wilcox offer a brief distraction from the tedium of songs like Candida Clauseri’s "I Will Always Love You" and Mikey Bustos’ "Sometimes When We Touch," but not one of these kids is anywhere near ready to be in a professional recording studio.

Let’s hope one of them shapes up by wintertime, when the winner’s album will be foisted upon us

Get it from