USA Today's Edna Gundersen, one of the best in this business of reporting-writing-critquing, got seven of the 10 "American Idol" finalists to explain their plans for the newspaper's "Idol" blog. What they don't seem to realize is that they were not as distinct as the class that came before them in which it was clear which direction six of them would take once the show ended. With the applause still ringing in the ears of the Season Six finalists, they don't seem to realize the real world is not quite sure exactly who Kimberley Locke is. And yet Chris Richardson sees himself as the fture of soulful rock.Oh these children.
Today they have visions of a roses and rainbows future, not the charts of recent musical revenue generated by Justin Guarini, Jasmine Trias and Corey Clark.

Jordin Sparks, who hopes to have an album in stores by Thanksgiving, said her effort is "kind of Kelly Clarkson’s pop edge meets Beyonce meets Carrie Underwood."
ANALYSIS: She is doing what she's told and singing the songs that have been chosen for her. There's no evidence that she has a unique style, but she feels she has a style that will elicit radio airplay.

Blake went to 19 Recordings with seven songs recorded and they apparently said "Cool, let’s do it."
ANALYSIS: There's no announcement yet from 19, so it's unclear if he is even signed. What he wants to do and what a label sees as his marketplace might be rather separate.

Melinda wants "to get the old school to team up with the new school" and record songs that are "funky, bluesy, soulsy.”
ANALYSIS: Paging the newly relaunched S-Curve Records. This is your gal.

Chris Richardson said he has written for Jordin, Blake and Phil. He says he's no Justin Timberfake, he's a faux Adam Levine.
ANALYSIS: Is there a demand for Maroon 5 wannabes?

Phil said he's moving to Nashville in the fall after his Navy term is up. He says he's singing at the Navy’s birthday celebration in October and he'll record a country album. "I’m not signed," he says.
ANALYSIS: Bonus points for honesty. He found his niche late in the season and that was in country ballads. He'll need someone with considerable ProTools experience as he rarely begins a tune smoothly and in key. 

Haley, who has a musical theater voice and look, shocked the blogosphere with her pronouncement she wants to make a country record.
ANALYSIS: Is a tribute a everybody's favorite '70s country tart Tanya Tucker unreasonable? How about a twangy mix of "Oklahoma!" and "Chicago"?   

Gina's demo is "kind of Evanescence meets Pink."
ANALYSIS: In other words, neo-Goth melodies with Goth-glam guitars, a throbbing beat, Goth-lite clothig and makeup with lyrics about un-Goth boys.

Chris Sligh is being chased by labels for his band's "pop/rock with some danceable stuff." He calls it "the Killers meets U2 meets Switchfoot."
ANALYSIS: When artists pile on the historic referneces like that one always has to wonder what element of the band do they mean? Since the Killers are the Cure meets the Smiths meets U2 meets Joy Divison minus joylessness and Switchfoot is  U2 meets "Nevermind" meets the Gin Blossoms and U2 is, well, U2, does he just mean lots of sonic layers, lots of energy, bold vocals and big drums?