SOUND OFF: Darren Criss, Superstar

What has made Season Two of GLEE must-see TV above all else? Who is the newest star soon to soar to The Loftiest heights? Who has "it" in a cast of ver-it-able all-consuming it-itis? Clue A: In just two performances and a handful of scenes in a couple of appearances he has made his star power shine, and on last night's especially strong episode of the wildly inconsistent second season of GLEE it is now safe to say that by any measure whatsoever a blazing star has been born, by any measure of Broadway, Hollywood, or anywhere else. Clue B: Find out what his name is, what songs to download, and some recent glimpses of his sure-to-be meteoric rise to global fame in the very near future in the content below. Clue C: "Teenage Dream" and "Hey, Soul Sister" are merely the humble beginnings of... Darren Criss, Superstar.

Never Been Crissed

The first ten episodes or so of the second season of Fox's Golden Globe-winning musical comedy series GLEE have proven one thing: when it's good, it's great; when it's not... there's Darren Criss. In just two solo performances so far this season - covering Katy Perry's "Teenage Dream" and, last night, Train's "Hey, Soul Sister", both backed by an all-male a capella group (at least the beginning of each song, as instruments eventually expectedly intercede) - he has solidified himself as one of the brightest solo performers on a show that is renown for showcasing the very best of Broadway, Hollywood and beyond, as has been proven so far with everyone from Kristin Chenoweth to Idina Menzel to Neil Patrick Harris last season, to Meat Loaf, John Stamos and Carol Burnett this season. It's the wildcard unknown warbler - literally, as the name of the all-male a capella group he leads on GLEE are commonly called The Warblers - who wins the scoring touchdown in the game and whose future somehow shines even brighter than all the rest: Darren Criss. A young upstart, previously unknown to most - at least on a national level - his immediate charm, easy affability and instantly memorable characterization of the parochial school love interest of Kurt Hummel - played by dramatic standout Chris Colfer - has proven to be the most outstanding character feature of a show overflowing with highlights and starlets and upstarts such as himself. In what could have been a forgettable role, Criss has created the kind of energy, excitement and buzz of a true force in the entertainment industry in the future. After all, if he can make the most out of that material, what about the good stuff?

All revealed: I'm not a fan of either Katy Perry's original or Train's disposable pop frivolity as they stand, but, truly, I can't help but crown Criss the high holy hero of GLEE: Part Deux and say that these covers not only vastly improve upon the originals by heavenly leaps and bravura bounds, but also solidify both tracks as some of the most pertinent must-listen music of the year, for fans of any genre. As great as Jonathan Groff was last season on GLEE - and, boy oh boy, was he absolutely fantastic, especially with "Hello" and "Burning Up", both of which made my Top 20 GLEE tracks countdown for last season - Darren Criss has made a mantle for himself as not only a crossover star from virtual obscurity to national TV fame in a seeming short instant, but, surely, as well, he should be able to parlay his GLEE appearances into a Broadway or Hollywood career. Out of this foray as the main entrée on TV's highest-rated musical comedy soiree, Criss has emerged the victor of vocals. GLEE has sheparded some unbelievable talent in the past - from Broadway-babies-cum-castmembers Lea Michele and Matt Morrison; to Groff, Chord Overstreet and others - but, somehow, Criss manages to melt the heart of the coldest snowman. The kid's got it all and knows how to use it.

In short, Darren Criss can make glittering gold-dust vocal master classes out of gutter trash pop pap, proven proof-positive in these two GLEE tracks. Hear and see the evidence below with his two GLEE performances so far this season and check out the clips on the official GLEE website at Fox.com as we anticipate his next star-making showcase on the show next week with his lovable and golden-voiced rendering of Frank Loesser's "Baby, It's Cold Outside" - what happens to be my personal favorite Christmas song - alongside Chris Colfer on next week's Season 2: Part 1 special Christmas special finale until the show's return in February.

An audio-only sneak peek of next week's GLEE Christmas episode, "You're A Mean One, Sue Sylvester" with Darren Criss & Chris Colfer singing "Baby, It's Cold Outside" (check out that falsetto near the end!).

Darren Criss's two previous GLEE appearances, "Teenage Dream" and "Hey, Soul Sister":

Now, as a special bonus, take a look at some intimate videos of Darren with two songs by five-time Academy-Award-winning InDepth InterView participant Alan Menken, and the late lyricist Howard Ashman, from Disney's classic animated films - and, now, stage - musicals THE LITTLE MERMAID and BEAUTY & THE BEAST with "Part Of Your World" and "Belle".

THE LITTLE MERMAID - "Part Of Your World"

BEAUTY & THE BEAST - "Belle"

As a closing clip cornucopia, check out this series of performances from a November's live LA concert - including, first, a snippet of Criss warming up singing the opening of Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'", as seen and heard on GLEE, at his mpst recent concert at The Grove in LA. He also performed the aforementioned "Teenage Dream" and "Part of Your World" and those clips follow, as well.

"Don't Stop Believing'(Intro)"

"Teenage Dream"

"Part Of Your World"

/p>

As these clips make crystal clear, Darren Criss is a surefire phoenix-on-the-highest-rise of a superstar. Watch him fly - to heaven, and far, far beyond. He is a true superstar, for sure.