The rumors were true--as a showcase for raw vocal chops, American Idol has gotten better every season. The good news for buyers of American Idol Season 5 Encores, then, is that to a one, each of the dozen tracks collected here is easy on the ears: Kellie Pickler's Patsy Cline re-do, "Walkin' After Midnight," clip-clops along with a pleasing North Carolina sweetness. Melissa McGhee proves she was voted off too early with the belt-a-holic opener "What About Love," and Kevin Covais makes a case for his inclusion on a future Disney soundtrack with the wistful "When I Fall in Love." If this disc launches thousands Web discussions, though--and it probably already has--it'll be for its final-fiver selections. Paris Bennett's "Midnight Train to Georgia" singlehandedly snaps preconceived notions ab...