Katharine McPhee Debut Album Review

Katharine McPhee wowed America in season 5 of American Idol. But sadly, she was beaten by Taylor Hicks in the end. Her debut CD started out at #2 on the Billboard charts, but I don't think it was what we were expecting. Katharine McPhee showed her prowess in ballads and alternative hits like "Black Horse and a Cherry Tree". But what 19/RCA Records gave us was a pop/hip-hop album.
Don't get me wrong, there are a lot of songs that are really good on the CD. Her ballads and softer pop/hip-hop songs are great. But a song about buying flip-flops and sandals? Really? Some of the songs didn't showcase her whole talent. But I think that she had to take this step to get to where she is now.
American Idol can do great things for artists. It can show them to the world and they are immensely popular (Kelly Clarkson, Jordin Sparks, Daughtry) but then some fall by the wayside and you never hear about them again (Justin Guarini, the guy that looked like Chicken Little, Bo Bice). Then some are stuck in the middle. Some of these are Taylor Hicks, Katharine McPhee, Diana DiGarmo, and Syesha Mercado. All these people have had successful singing and acting careers, but it seemed like they had to "disappear" first.
I think that Katharine McPhee took that step not long after her first record came out. She came back with a few songs on soundtracks and roles in TV and movie. Now. hopefully, she's on her climb. Her new CD is amazing and such a departure from her first!