Rock Star: Supernova

Over the course of their metal makeover of American Idol, Gilby Clarke, Jason Newsted and Tommy Lee weaned out 14 contestants before choosing Canadian singer Lukas Rossi to lead their "supergroup." The resulting debut feels like a best-of comp as it bounces between '80s hair metal ballads, clap-along arena rockers, gritty uppers and grungy downers. But Rossi's vocal range, from a soft swoon to a raging bass, can handle it all, helping the veteran headbangers revive their domination in hard rock. "Be Yourself" and "Headspin" are highlights.

Spawned from the CBS reality show (an American Idol for rockers), Rock Star: Supernova
stars Season Two winner Lukas Rossi backed by Tommy Lee, ex-Metallica bassist Jason
Newsted and ex-G n' R guitarist Gilby Clarke. The band's debut is mostly big, catchy arena
rock: "Leave the Lights On" sounds like Velvet Revolver covering Cheap Trick, and "Be
Yourself (and 5 Other Cliches)" packs in a huge hair-metal chorus. Rossi wails lik... More >