I have already listened through the IDOL CD a couple of times. By far my favorite items are Chris Daughtery's "Wanted: Dead or Alive," Paris Bennett's "Midnight Train to Georgia," Elliott Yamin's "Moody's Mood for Love," and Ace Young's "Father Figure."
Ace's vocal for me was surprisingly the most impressive one as he shows more vocal dexterity than he ever showed on the show. Of course, in the studio, there can be multiple takes to smooth out rough patches, something live TV cruelly exposes, but I really liked this rendition.
Paris' song is so expertly delivered that its being only an audio performance jumps her directly to the forefront of the female vocalists this season. Being 17, her visual performance was always off-putting for me, dolled up in outfits that tried to make her far more mature than she was. But just listening to her, her voice is incredibly mature and impressive. You'd never guess she was 17 hearing this.
Elliott's sophistication in his vocal delivery left everyone else in the dust. I will eagerly buy his first solo CD.