THOSE wacky American Idols aren’t idle at all. A lucky seven of past and present Idols will be releasing new discs this season, including season five’s silver-haired winner, Taylor Hicks.Yet while the Soul Patrol is clamoring for Ford pitchman Hicks’ post-"Idol" debut on Nov. 14, Clay Aiken’s "Claymates" will get satisfaction much earlier. Aiken, the runner-up to Ruben Studdard in the second season, will release his long-overdue third disc, "A Thousand Different Ways," next week.Aiken stole the season-five finale this spring when – virtually unrecognizable with longer, darker hair and wearing a suit – he thrilled a geeky auditioner by joining him in a duet of Elton John’s "Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me." The new disc will feature 10 covers, including Foreigner’s "I Want to Know What Love Is," Dolly Parton’s "Here You Come Again" and four original tracks.While Aiken lost the title to Studdard, the two singers will go at it again, taking their musical battle to the charts. Studdard, 27, releases his third disc, "The Return of the Velvet Teddy Bear," Sept. 26. His debut, "Soulful," went platinum – but Aiken’s debut, "Measure of a Man," went triple platinum and holds the title of having the biggest sales week, 613,000 copies, of any "Idol" alum album.Even more Idols with new music on tap:Season five top-10 finalist, space cadet and Cowell-described "naughty little minx" Kellie Pickler’s debut disc is due Nov. 14.Season five runner-up Katharine McPhee satisfies the McFever with her first album, late in the season.Season five top-10 finalist and sullen rocker-boy Chris Daughtry, who turned down an offer to lead Fuel, makes his debut on Nov. 21.Season three winner and TV autobiopic star Fantasia Barrino’s second album is due Oct. 17.
NY Post
I am looking forward to Clay and Chris’ albums, the rest do not interest me.
