Idol Chatter & Voice Views

In spite of two versions of the awful “No Boundaries” (one by Kris Allen, one by Adam Lambert), the American Idol season eight album debuts at number 34 this week on the Billboard Hot 200 albums chart.

That means the album sold nearly 14,000 copies, according to AmericanIdol.com.

In case you missed the earlier blog on the album, it features 12 tracks, one by each of the top 10 Idols except Kris and Adam, who get two tracks each.

In addition to “No Boundaries,” Kris’ studio version of “She Works Hard for the Money” is on the album. Adam’s other track is “Mad World.”

The album sells for $10 and is available only through Wal-Mart. Here’s a link to the earlier blog.

Now, for the other Idols on the Billboard charts this week.

Kelly Clarkson: Looks like number 20 is the best the single “I Do Not Hook Up” is going to do on the Hot 100. The song dropped another five spots this week, to number 32, after peaking at 20 a month ago. Kelly’s former number one hit, “My Life Would Suck Without You,” fell out of the top 50 on that chart, but hangs in at number 20 on Billboard’s Pop 100. Among the Hot 200 albums, Kelly’s ”All I Ever Wanted” drops from 58 to 65.

David Cook: “Come Back to Me” continues its slow climb up the Adult Top 40 chart, nudging up to number seven this week. David’s debut album checks in at 87 on the Hot 200 for the second straight week.

Daughtry: And guess who leapfrogs David on the Adult Top 40 chart? That’s right, Chris Daughtry and his gang with their new single, “No Surprise,” which jumps from number nine to number six. But the song toppled eight spots, from 39 to 47 on the Hot 100 singles charts. Daughtry’s second album, of course, hits stores Tuesday.

Jennifer Hudson: ”If This Isn’t Love” is running out of steam on the R&B singles chart, dropping from 24 to 29. But Jennifer’s Grammy-winning album continues to hang tough on the R&B/Hip-Hop album chart, up two notches this week to number 47. Jennifer, looking very pregnant, created a stir at the Michael Jackson memorial service earlier this week.

Michael Johns: “Hold Back My Heart,” Michael’s new album, was number 97 on the Hot 200 last week, but dropped out of the top 100 this week. It’s also no longer among the list of top 20 independent albums. Hey, folks, you’re missing out. It’s a very good album.

Mandisa: “My Deliverer,” her first single off her second album, peaked at number nine on the Hot Christian Songs chart five. This week, it drops out of the top 20 for the first time.

Kellie Pickler: The single, “Best Days of Your Life,” co-written by Taylor Swift, continues to do well on the Hot 100 singles and country singles chart, hanging in at number 50 and 14, respectively. Kellie’s self-titled album is number 17 on the country chart for the second straight week. It falls two spots to number 78 on the Billboard Hot 200.

Jordin Sparks: With her new album a little over a week from release, the title track, “Battlefield,” stalled on the charts this week, holding steady at number 30 on the Hot 100 and number 28 on the Hot 100.

Ruben Studdard: “Love Is,” Ruben’s fourth album, has disappeared from the top 50 on the R&B chart. Apparently, not nearly enough music lovers love hearing Ruben sing love songs.

Carrie Underwood: One of the biggest pieces of Idol news this week — Carrie will have a new album, her third, out before the end of the year. Why rush? “Carnival Ride,” released in 2007, is still number 16 on the country album chart and 74 on the Billboard Hot 200.