Review: Melinda Doolittle - "Coming Back To You"

On the opening track of Melinda Doolittle's deliciously retro debut album, the Idol alum wants to "get back to the fundamental things... to the elements of style." So she does, taking us back to the 60s soul sounds of Motown and Stax. But unlike fellow retro-fetishing pop artists like Amy Winehouse, she doesn't take it any place new.

Lead single "It's Your Love" is full of bombastic drums, strings and female BGVs that sound exactly like a lost Gladys Knight recording. The title track is smooth as butter, possibly the best song on the record. When she tackles the blues classic "Dust My Broom" she really shows the most gritty gospel stomp but she follows it with a sleepy reading of "I'll Never Stop Loving You" - most famously recorded by Doris Day. Melinda Doolittle wins me back with the gospel standard "We Will Find A Way" and cinches the deal with the Wal-Mart exclusive track, a lovely soul cover of Chaka Khan's "Through The Fire."

On Idol, Melinda was always the consummate professional. Her control ed vocals effortlessly inhabited any song, from Faith Hill to Bon Jovi. Unfortunately that level of polish prevents this album from reaching the heights a vocalist like her could reach. It's nice, but we've all heard most of it before.

Mindy Doo, live on Ellen...