Tamyra Gray

She got voted off of the first American Idol, but this mostly self-penned album throws Gray head and shoulders above the winners. The slick pop hooks are anchored by her elastic, heartfelt singing, her palpable jazz and soul influences, and a rare trait these days: true cool. Songs like "Star" and "17" do it right.

"Ha Ha" is the best song Angie Stone never recorded, and "Don't Stop" is a disco vamp to do
Donna Summer proud. Gray was probably the best pure singer the competition saw before
this season; when she strives for Whitney Houston-ballad bombast on "Raindrops Will Fall,"
even though she doesn't quite make it, she proves that she has earned the right to try.