An American Idol For Rock Critics?

Taylor Hicks seems like an American Idol even Idol-hating Rock critics could like. His love of 60's Soul puts his heart in the right place. If given the chance to sing what he sings best: good old American Bar Band Soul, he could make a decent CD. But listening to the generic Soul of his pre-Idol album, Under The Radar, I'm more afraid that the Idol handlers will do to him what they did with Bo Bice and Kelly Clarkson (on her first album). Mold him into their vision. I'm rooting for him. But I have my doubts.