Grade: B

CD • The most surprising release of the new year is "100 Proof," the third album from former "American Idol" finalist Kellie Pickler.

Until now, the 25-year-old country singer's success was limited to a few lightweight singles and an omnipresent TV image as a dim-witted, blond-haired country girl who, when she appeared on "Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader?," was shocked to learn that Hungary was a country.

But this is by far the strongest and most mature collection of songs she's ever produced, with more traditional backing (read: fiddles) and with most of the songs written by Pickler. Here she finally reaches into her troubled upbringing to emote convincingly.

Whoever could have predicted that this BFF of Carrie Underwood would ever become Underwood's artistic rival?

— David Burger —

Grade •B