Billboard single reviews: Clay & Kenny

ARTIST: CLAY AIKEN

SINGLE: A THOUSAND DAYS

NEW YORK (Billboard) - The previous single from Clay Aiken's "A Thousand Different Ways," an inexplicable cover of Mariah Carey/Harry Nilsson's "Without You," barely connected at adult-contemporary radio. Follow-up "A Thousand Days" is an original song that delivers upon the potent interpreter's signature: hand-flinging vocals, a soaring melody and a simple, singable chorus. Aiken's challenge at this point is more a public relations issue. As press reports continue to spread repeated tales of his lack of humility and haughty, diva-like disposition, how much longer before fans retreat and any semblance of radio support fades like a Christmas wreath?

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ARTIST: KATHARINE MCPHEE

SINGLE: OVER IT

"American Idol" season five runner-up Katharine McPhee is arguably the most striking of the high-profile finalists who have gone on to release major-label albums, and there is little doubt that she possesses formidable chops. But the question dogging anyone who studied the singer throughout the season is whether McPhee possesses the internal depth to imbed her soul into original songs, since she seldom demonstrated -- in her eyes -- any understanding of joy or pain in any lyric she sang. The mystery remains in debut single "Over It," a lightweight, urban-lite ditty that sounds as if it were lifted from the JoJo catalog. McPhee's vocals are thin and layered to the point that there's little unveiling of her personality (it's also suspicious that there are three female background vocalists contributing). Hopefully, her upcoming full-length disc (January 30) contains more substantial material so that we may discover the woman inside -- for instance, the skyscraping ballads that made her a favorite in the first place. At this point, "Over It" offers no favors for long-term potential.

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ARTIST: KENNY CHESNEY