Most obscure 'American Idol' albums

Corey? R.J.? Carmen? Who are these people?

A study in “American Idol” contrasts hits stores this month*: season one winner and bona fide superstar Kelly Clarkson drops her fourth album, “All I Ever Wanted,” while season five winner and forgotten man Taylor Hicks tries to bring the Soul Patrol out of hiding with his second solo disc, “The Distance.” In terms of sales, Hicks is the least successful of all the “Idol” winners—but when it comes to commercial failure, he’s got plenty of company. Here, in no particular order, are the works of 18 “Idol” also-rans that may have even the show’s most loyal viewers scratching their heads and thinking, “Who gave them a record deal?”—Andy Hermann, Metromix

*This feature was originally published in March of 2009