Bo Bice

Bucking the American Idol tradition, Bo Bice releases an album not of cover songs but of the kind of Southern boogie he favored while on the show. As the title hints, See the Light is a bluesy, Southern rock effort steeped in gospel, featuring a handful of songs about whiskey, sinners and redemption. "Witness" is a blistering blues rock number that brings to mind Lenny Kravitz at his most Hendrix, while "I'm Gone" evokes shades of "Feel Like Makin' Love." Other standout tracks include "This Train" and "Whisky, Women and Time," but really, the whole disc - apart from the schmaltzy "Only Words" -- is a sharp, well-honed effort.