Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Jordin Sparks
“Battlefield”

1. Walking on Snow
2. Battlefield
3. Don’t Let It Go To Your Head
4. S.O.S. (Let the Music Play)
5. It Takes More
6. Watch You Go
7. No Parade
8. Let It Rain
9. Emergency (911)
10. Was I the Only One
11. Faith
12. The Cure

Second albums have been oh-so-critical to past Idol finalists.

“Breakaway” made Kelly Clarkson a superstar. “Carnival Ride” confirmed Carrie Underwood as the reigning princess of country music, at least until Taylor Swift came along.

But second albums from Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken raised questions about their long-term viability as recording artists.

And, I think it’s safe to say that Taylor Hicks’ second album, released earlier this year, confirmed that the lukewarm sales for album number one weren’t a fluke.

Into this fray marches Jordin Sparks with “Battlefield.”

This battle, folks, is likely to end in a draw.

You see, “Battlefield” is better than the second releases from Ruben, Clay and Taylor. But it isn’t dripping with sure-fit hits like the second releases from Kelly or Carrie either.

The title track and lead single has done decently on the Billboard charts, but it isn’t as good as “No Air” or “Tattoo,” top 10 hits off Jordin’s first album.

“Emergency (911)” is a fun, sassy dance tune and one of four songs Jordin co-wrote, which is a step in the right direction. She didn’t have a writing credit on her debut disc.

“S.O.S.” is another dance tune with hit potential. But if becomes a hit it will be the result of slick production and the fact that Shannon’s “Let the Music Play” has “a groove you can’t ignore” 25 years after its initial release, not because of anything Jordin has done.

Among the ballads, the only standout is “Don’t Let It Go To Your Head.”

During an interview about the album last week on “Good Morning America,” Jordin said she felt better prepared to make this album because she’s “gone through a couple of things. Not too much, because I’m still only 19. But a couple ”

Here’s hoping the songs aren’t a reflection of what she’s gone through. By my count, nine of the first 10 songs are about love gone bad, love going badly or boyfriends behaving badly.

By the time Jordin belts out “Faith” in the album’s 11th slot, any gals listening closely sure need some.

Back to “Battlefield’s” bottom line: There’s enough hit potential here to ensure Jordin will be back with a third album in a couple of years. And the fact that she’s opening for the Jonas Brothers on a summer tour should certainly help sell some albums.

As for joining the Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood stratosphere … well, that will have to wait.

Grade: C+

Free listen:
Jordin’s MySpace for “Battlefield” and “S.O.S.”

Other reviews:
Rolling Stone: Gives Jordin 2.5 stars out of 5
AllMusic.com: Gives Jordin 3 stars out of 5
Entertainment Weekly: Gives Jordin an A-