2006 "American Idol" runner-up Katharine McPhee projected a big brawny voice on TV and yet debut "Over It" reached a tepid No. 29 on The Billboard Hot 100. Follow-up "Love Story" again digs at the root of the dilemma: a mega-talented vocalist aligned with ill-fitting material. Both tracks are generously catchy and clever, but pushing popper McPhee toward R&B/ rhythmic is far from the big-ballad brand that prompted millions of votes on the show. Warning label: 2007 winner Jordin Sparks won with the same tableau as McPhee. Will the label also transition the latter from what comes naturally, alienating the fan base? Now is the time for lessons to be learned. Meanwhile, we're still waiting for McPhee to release a song befitting her talent that will connect fans who put faith in a voice we have yet to hear on record. —Chuck Taylor