Ruben Studdard — Soulful

Having a terrific voice may have won Ruben Studdard the American Idol crown, but to sustain a career, a singer also needs to have a vision — or at the very least, a team of managers and producers who are able to make good choices. Studdard, unfortunately, has been steered down the wrong path.

Soulful is a disappointing mash of R&B tunes that range from the forgettable to the outright ridiculous. The disc opens with "Sorry 2004," a sexy-slow jam with a title that just opens Studdard up to ridicule, followed by the equally preposterously titled "No Ruben," which is Studdard’s own "Jenny From The Block" recount of his rise to fame. The only decent songwriting comes from the album’s handful of covers (The Bee Gees’ "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart" and the already overplayed "Flying Without Wings" and "Superstar").

J Records could have molded this guy into a gospel soul superstar — instead we get a soulless attempt at cheesy make-out music. What a waste.