American Idol Season 4: The Showstoppers

American Idol Season 4: The Showstoppers

RCA/Sony BMG

Brian Wong (CHARTattack)

05/24/2005 3:42pm

Let's get real: most of these "showstoppers" are forgettable. And how many more times does one need to hear an Idol hopeful take on "Part-Time Lover" and "Total Eclipse Of The Heart?" At least this compendium of the fourth American Idol allows you to understand the show without actually watching it. The miracles of the studio mask the bum notes of Carrie Underwood, who shows her forte as a flag-waving country singer on her cover of Martina McBride's "Independence Day." There are pleasant run-throughs of old-time faves, like Constantine Maroulis' Matt Dusk-ready "My Funny Valentine," but pleasantness is far from greatness, which can only be achieved if these showstoppers really do stop.

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