Voice albums a lesson in what not to expect Gentle touch ... Luke Kennedy. Three new albums from the grand finalists of The Voice? It's exciting for many fans, yes, but in other parts of music land you can almost hear the groans. That's because there's a justified cynicism among some music lovers about the arrival of freshly made albums from finalists on a talent show, any reality show really. Because let's face it, the albums are mostly as formulaic as the shows themselves. You can generally expect a selection of well-known cover songs (interchangeable with ones previously performed by graduates of Australian Idol, X-Factor, Australia's Got Talent et al). There is sometimes an original track by the artist, plus something chosen in a bid to get the all-vital radio play. Greatest surprise ... Celia Pavey. This week, this year, this Friday, it's the arrival of albums from a trio who found a profile on the second series of The Voice. Opera-singing heart-throb Luke Kennedy, the runner-up on this year's second series of the show, country girl folk singer Celia Pavey and the slightly wary indie rocker Danny Ross. So of course we know what to expect from them - or do we? Because as much as I felt I knew what I was going to hear from all three artists, each one managed to impress and surprise on their albums. How did that happen? Straight out rocker ... Danny Ross. Let's start with Luke Kennedy and his album A Time For Us. As an experienced pop opera singer, he has the crisp enunciation of lyrics down pat, as is obvious on well-known tracks such as I Dreamed A Dream. But his opera songs really do have the power to transport the listener. It's also the subtle surprises on his album - a gentle touch on tracks such as Please Don't Ask Me (just beautiful) and the sensuality of Caruso, that really impress. I'll be the first to admit I wasn't a Celia Pavey fan when she appeared on The Voice, perhaps because her live performance of the track Xanadu was an absolute shocker. But Pavey's album This Music really reveals why she was among the finalists, and is perhaps the greatest surprise out of all three of them. Her voice is saccharine sweet but with an intriguing edge that keeps things interesting. It brings a strength to so many of the tracks, including Woodstock and A Thousand Years, although Xanadu and Edelweiss are terribly cheesy choices. It is when Pavey tackles the Gorillaz song Feel Good Inc. that there is a real "wow' moment. Unfortunately there is one misstep on her album, the dance track Believe Me - it falls firmly into over-manufactured territory. For Danny Ross, who has taken the straight-out rocker route, the cover songs on his album As The Crow Flies include a powerful rendition of All Along the Watchtower, a really nice groove The Joker, and his striking new song Pockets, which has smash-hit potential. Ross has perhaps been underestimated since leaving the show because his rock capabilities are finely on show here. On all three albums, not only does the quality of the singing and the tracks themselves impress, but they show that The Voice really does seem to lift things a notch when selecting its artists. Ultimately, all three singers managed to transport me from my desk, surrounded by the humdrum sounds of an everyday office, to that place where music provides its own idyllic bubble. And isn't that what it's all about? So deep down, let's hope the eye-rollers, the doubters and the cynics don't represent the mainstream mood. Because it'd be great to hear more original releases from all three of these artists - and soon. Our verdict Best album: Luke Kennedy A Time for Us - he builds an incredible mood from start to finish and sings his heart out beautifully. There are touches of a young John Farnham, not to mention a certain Mr Stevie Wonder, but Kennedy also marks out his own sound. He has a powerful future ahead of him. Best song: A tie between Danny Ross' Pockets (written by Ollie Sloan and Iain Archer) and Celia Pavey's version of Gorillaz' Feel Good Inc. Honourable mentions to Kennedy's renditions of Un Giorno Per Noi, A Time For Us, Time To Say Goodbye, Please Don't Ask Me and Caruso. Best original song: Celia Pavey's Candle in the Night. Worst song: Pavey's "dance" number Believe Me - it might end up as a chart hit but it feels very formulaic and forced.