American Idol runner-up Justin Guarini makes his CD debut. The self-titled set stars Guarini in mostly heart-on-his-sleeve, R&B-tinged ballads. With his ever-earnest, pleasant voice, he plays the role well. To his credit, too, Guarini employs mannerisms and cliches less than his fellow American Idol contestants. His weak material, though, sounds much the same from track to track. It's certainly not worthy of this supposed idol. The best song, "Unchained Melody," is older than Guarini's parents. "Timeless," a duet with American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson, rises above, too, except for her Mariah Carey imitations.