Idol Chatter & Voice Views

By MARK FRANKLIN

So, are you getting impatient for some Idol music?

After all, the American Idol auditions that continue this week follow a too-much-talk, too-little-music format. And they’ll be followed by Hollywood week episodes filled with drama, but not that much singing.

Well, there’s plenty of Idol music out there to fill the void. A check of the Billboard music charts shows albums by four former Idol contestants in the top 100 — David Cook at 18, David Archuleta at 62, Carrie Underwood’s second album “Carnival Ride” at 68 and Jennifer Hudson’s debut album at 92.

And there’s more on the way. The first album from Melinda Doolittle, “Coming Back to You,” (above) hits stores Feb. 3.

Idol fans will remember Melinda as the third-place finisher in season six, when she finished behind teenage winner Jordin Sparks and beatboxer Blake Lewis. That was Jordin belting out the National Anthem before Sunday’s Eagles’ game.

Melinda was the best singer and most consistent performer on Idol 2007. Even Simon said so. But she seemed to lack that Idol spark in her personality. Maybe because of spending all those years as a backup singer, her pre-Idol career.

Anyway, you can check out 30-second clips of all 13 songs on her debut album on her Web site. Sounds promising.

Meanwhile, one of last week’s blogs mentioned that Kelly Clarkson had a new album — her fourth — coming out March 17.

Well, this weekend, the first single from that album — “My Life Would Suck Without You” — showed up on her Web site. You can listen to the full song, free of charge, here.

Thanks, Kelly.

Check back Wednesday for a recap of the highlights from Tuesday’s audition show. And this week’s blogs will feature flashbacks to two more former Idol finalists — second two runnerup Clay Aiken and season three winner Fantasia — and some of their best performances.

If you’re looking for a break from Idol — after all, the real competition is still weeks away — News Editor John Simcoe introduces us to a competing show, Homeland Security USA, in one of his most recent Pop Quiz Hot Shot blogs.