CRYSTAL BOWERSOX

Farmer’s Daughter

[19 Recordings/Jive]

American Idol contestants are often accused of oversinging, pseudo-dramatics and the like—and on her high-spirited debut, former Idol runner-up Crystal Bowersox sometimes stands guilty of these musical crimes. Still, she explores her own path often enough on Farmer’s Daughter to stake a claim to a promising recording career. After a feisty opener, the top-down roadhouse rocker “Ridin’ With the Radio,” Bowersox stumbles with a ham-fisted cover of Buffalo Springfield’s “For What It’s Worth.” But she quickly rights matters with a soulful delivery of her own poignant ballad “Holy Toledo,” an emotional portrait of small-town restlessness. Likewise, she relishes the kiss-off sentiments of the gospel-flavored “Speak Now,” a spunky declaration of independence that plays up the grittier side of her vocal talents. Farmer’s Daughter is a powerful introduction to a singer who may well have the goods and the depth to make us forget her TV-contest origins. –Bob Cannon