During his time on American Idol, Michael Johns’ strongest performances always emphasized the bluesy side of his voice, culminating in a nuanced, slow-smoked cover of Dolly Parton’s “It’s All Wrong But It’s All Right.” Two years after his unexpected elimination, Johns makes his post-Idol debut with Hold Back My Heart, a surprisingly strong album that finds him doing what he does best: soul, Southern rock, and contemporary blues. The album title is unfortunate, of course — more appropriate for David Archuleta’s teenaged pop than Johns’ thirtysomething songcraft — but that’s the worst thing about Hold Back My Heart, which sounds looser and less calculated than most albums by American Idol’s alumni. While none of Johns’ own songs can quite measure up to “Heart on my Sleeve,” a stand-out ballad composed by John Shanks and James Morrison, his own compositions are perfectly acceptable, showcasing his coarsely scrubbed baritone and preference for earthy melodies. Organ, horns, and background vocals enhance the vibe, but Hold Back My Heart is essentially a showcase for Johns’ voice, which sounds better here than it ever did on television. – Andrew Leahey