When Clay Aiken was bested by winner Ruben Studdard in season two of the AMERICAN IDOL competition, few guessed that the unassuming Southerner would outstrip the champion, delivering a series of records that made him one of the show's most successful alumni. PLAYLIST: THE VERY BEST OF CLAY AIKEN collects the geek-turned-sex symbol's biggest hits and fan favorites, including material from all three of his studio albums and his holiday record, MERRY CHRISTMAS WITH LOVE. Tracks like the anthemic "Invisible" and the soaring, socially conscious "Grace of God" showcase Aiken's bell-like vocal timbre, smooth phrasing, and inspirational song choices, revealing why the North Carolina native inspires a near-religious fervor in adult-contemporary music fans the world over.