The seventh season of talent show “American Idol” belonged to them. Thus, the two Davids, Cook, the winner, and Archuleta, the runner-up, are ready to compete again, but this time for their fans’ money. The singers have released their self-titled albums just a week apart and on the same label. What could that possibly mean?

Well, coincidentally or not, the sweet 17-year-old David Archuleta, whose soft spot includes a weakness for sad love tunes, is facing again tough competition from his 25-year-old ex-rival, who looks daggers advantageously, loves wearing black and knows how to handle a guitar. They are poles apart and so are their records.

“David Archuleta” has an undeniable sugary magnetism that comes from an awkward enchantment devoid of palpable pretense. The young singer enjoys rousing songs and expressive clean-pop tracks dealing with unreciprocated love (“A Little Too Not Over You,” “Touch My Hand,” “Crush), but risks to fall in the clichéd and overcooked love song side.

In spite of the fact that “David Cook” is overall a good product, it is very similar to other albums by various artists and, thus, it falls into the trap of commonness, bringing to light David Cook’s collaboration with big names in the music industry, including producer Bob Cavallo and songwriters Chris Cornell of Soundgarden, Johnny Rzeznik of Goo Goo Dolls, as well as Raine Maida of Our Lady Peace.

The two albums are widely divergent, but there’s an “American Idol”-like sound that unites them nonetheless. And the choice is yours once again. I sure wonder who wins this competition in the long run.