Donnie Klang, 'Just a Rolling Stone'

Backstory: Last summer, Long Island native Donnie Klang, 23, was the first to be awarded a solo deal on “Making The Band,” the MTV series helmed by P. Diddy. Castmates Danity Kane and Day26 have both released number-one albums earlier this year, a feat that Klang hopes to duplicate with his debut full-length.

Why you should care: Given the rabid female following of “Making The Band” and the fact that Klang was voted favorite contestant by viewers prior to last year’s season finale, “Just a Rolling Stone” has a very good chance of going number one. Plus, he’s more interesting than Jesse McCartney and Justin Timberlake still doesn’t have another album out.

Verdict: It’s an uneven affair, from the smooth bump of single “Take You There” featuring P. Diddy and the guilty pleasure bop of “Pretty Girls Cry” to the shellacked cheese of “Hollywood Girl” and the unbelievable boasts of “Hurt That Body.” The album’s most unabashedly catchy tune is “Dr. Love,” with cheeky refrains like, “You can call me the love doctor/I’ll make you feel better/Sometimes pain is pleasure/Lay down on the stretcher.” Though his overall effort is less exciting than the other recent “Making The Band” albums, this song hints at Klang’s potential if only all the selections were this fun and memorable.

X-Factor: Overseeing seven songs on the album, producer Channel 7 (born Marcus Vest) had a large hand in helping Klang shape his overall sound. The pair make cozy collaborators, but Channel 7 is best known for working with rappers like Ja Rule. He’s also a bit eccentric and likes to wear a mask, as he has on his various appearances on “Making The Band.”

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