I will be the first to admit that I didn't vote for Justin Guarini during last year's American Idol. I was a Kelly girl all the way. Like Miss Clarkson, Mr. No. 2 has just put out his first CD -- a self-titled album. When purchasing, I'll also admit, I had low expectations. I wasn't quite sure what to expect.

I was seriously surprised at how worthy and entertaining this album turned out to be. Guarini's debut mostly has a pleasant overall consistency of a solid r&b sound mixed with a pop feel. It's not overly complex and sticks within the realm of the Justin most listeners got a taste of when hearing him on American Idol; smooth yet powerful vocals and a pleasing rhythm.

A small area I dislike comes with some of the lyrics, and with an occasional lapse in some production quality. I can't argue with what Guarini brings vocally to the album. Guarini sounds good on almost every song and has obviously stepped up his delivery. The talent is there. He shows his wide range and shear lung strength throughout the album.

Sorry is one of the few mid-tempo songs and has a really different, extra funky sound. Vocally, If You Wanna is his best, showing an aspect of Guarini's voice that significantly resembles Michael Jackson in his glory days. Today, many pop stars try to capture Jackson's voice and dance moves, but Guarini comes to it naturally and with out consciously mimicking in this song.

The CD has two songs that I could live without. Inner Child sounds disconnected, like lower-level filler. It's corny with its stereotypical, overdone pop sound and laughable lyrics.

Another loser is Guarini's cover of the classic Unchained Melody. The best thing he does with this is simply rendering it like the original, with little of his own flair or style. This song throws off the album's flow and there is no musical reason to put it on the CD. I guess it's there because it won the judges over on American Idol when he sang it, but enough is enough with the cheesy covers.

After his apparent box office flop with the movie From Justin to Kelly, this album is a pretty good way to hang in there and stretch out beyond his 15 minutes. Let's see what's next.