Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Crystal Bowersox, the second-place finisher on Season 9 of American Idol, released her third album since on Friday.

That should be the reaction to Crystal Bowersox’s new album, released Friday.

Because with her 14-track “Alive,” the Season 9 American Idol runner-up has served up one of the best post-Idol albums ever.

And all the more impressive because “Alive” was recorded live at The Kitchen Sink Recording Studio in Sante Fe, New Mexico.

In other words, no vocal tricks here. Just Crystal and that magical voice of hers.

“Alive” features live versions of three songs from her previous releases — “Arlene” from “Farmer’s Daughter” (2010), “Dead Weight” from “All This for That” (2013) and “Sunshine Brighter” from the “Promises” EP (2014).

Otherwise, it’s full of new Crystal originals. The songs I’m likely to have on repeat include “Now That’s You’re Gone,” “Let Me Walk Away,” “The Ride” and “No Mistake,” about her 8-year-old son.

Then there’s the marvelous “Marlboro Man,” my favorite post-Idol song so far in 2017. The album concludes with a rousing 7-minute cover of “Me ad Bobby McGee.”

As for the album’s title, Crystal explained to epiphone.com, saying “I’ll be turning 32 this year and I feel truly alive for the very first time.”

I don’t care which of the former Idols have Grammys or major label record deals, music doesn’t get better than this.

But I could write on and on about “Alive” and nothing would speak louder than Crystal’s voice. So here’s the singer-songwriter singing “Marlboro Man” and “Let Me Walk Away.”