Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Congratulations go out to Mandisa, whose new album debuted at number two on the Billboard Christian albums chart this week.

The only album above her on the chart is “Until the Whole World Hears” from the Casting Crowns, the Atlanta-based band that has topped Billboard’s year-ending Christian album chart for the past two years.

Mandisa’s “What if We Were Real” also landed at number 66 on the Billboard 200. And “Stronger,” the lead single from the album, holds steady at number three on the Hot Christian singles chart.

This is the third album from the gal who placed ninth as Mandisa Hundley on season five of American Idol.

Her first, “True Beauty” was released in 2007 and debuted at number one on the Christian album chart, making Mandisa the first artist to accomplish that feat in 27 years. That album peaked at number 43 on the Billboard 200.

In terms of chart success, “What if We Were Real” has already topped her second album, “Freedom.” It peaked at number 83 on the Billboard 200 and number four on the Christian albums chart.

Other chart highlights this week:

* Carrie Underwood benefitted from all her recent publicity, from her ACM performance with Steven Tyler to her big-screen debut. “Play On” jumped 91 spots on the Billboard 200 to number 73 and 12 spots on the country album chart to number 15.

* “Where You At,” the first single off Jennifer Hudson’s new album, moved up four spots on the dance/club play chart, but retreated 10 spots on the Hot 100. The album drops to number 11 on the Billboard 200 in its third week on the chart.

* The Kelly Clarkson-Jason Aldean duet, “Don’t You Want to Stay,” dropped to 42 on the Hot 100 and number eight on the country singles chart. It’ll be interesting to see how it does next week, after their fine rendition of the song on Idol Thursday night.

The complete rundown: