Jason Castro

Jason Castro | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 13, 2010)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Atlantic
• ASIN: B0018AOAWK
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (69 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #27,019 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

With his rich tenor voice, distinctive looks, and endearingly innocent charm, Jason Castro won over millions of viewers as a contestant on the seventh season of American Idol, parlaying his substantial singer-songwriter appeal into a third-place
runner-up finish. He may not have won the competition, but the 22-year-old Texan earned himself a devoted fan base eager to hear what he would do once freed to perform his own songs. Those folks will get their chance with the release of Castro's self-titled debut album on Atlantic Records.
Though rooted in the classic, melody-minded singer-songwriter tradition, with heart-on-sleeve lyrics and acoustic
guitar-driven arrangements, the album brims with toe-tapping pop (first single 'Let's Just Fall In Love Again,' 'This Heart Of Mine'), strummy folk ('That's What I'm Here For,' the lilting 'If I Were You'), and electrifying rock ('Closer,' 'Heart of Stone') - all cleverly balanced with unabashedly emotional tunes like 'Love Uncompromised,' 'It Matters To Me,' 'You Can Always Come Home,' and a stunning version of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' (which Castro performed on Idol, citing Jeff Buckley's version as a huge inspiration to him as an artist).
To capture the moods he wanted, Castro collaborated with producer Eric Rosse (Sara Bareilles, Tori Amos) and a host of top-notch songwriters - including Marc Roberge of O.A.R., Gregg Wattenberg (Five For Fighting), Zac Maloy (David Cook), and Espionage (Train) - all of whom helped Castro create an earthy showcase for his considerable gifts as a vocalist,
songwriter, and musician, not to mention the warmth and sincerity that shines through everything he does. 'I feel like the album really captures my personality,' Castro says. 'People got to know me a bit on the show, so I wanted to build on that by including all these songs I've written about my life. I wanted to share with people the things that are meaningful to me.'

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An amazingly accomplished debut!, April 15, 2010

By 

M. Jensen "Professional Appreciator" (St. George, Utah) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jason Castro (Deluxe Edition) (Audio CD)

Unlike many, before the release of Jason Castro's self-titled debut, I'd never heard of him. On the other hand, I'm a huge music fan and have been a DJ and collector since the mid 1970s. That said, Jason Castro, to me was a surprise... a very big surprise.

I looked at his boyish good looks, his trendy dreadlocks and association with American Idol and was predisposed to brushing off this music altogether. Glad I took a listen first.

The main selling point of this album and artist is this guy's voice. He's got chops where it matters. Silky smooth vocals ala Maxi Priest with just the right rock singer raspyness. Bottom line is this guy's voice is amazing. Throw in his ability to play guitar and write most of his own music, and I think it's fair to say, the combination has future superstar written all over it.

The 4 star rating vs. 5 stars is only because not every song knocks it out of the park. There are no bad songs here, just a few that are not on par with the best of the album. I may be late to the party in saying that "Hallelujah" and "That's What I'm Here For" are flat out fantastic folk-pop tunes! (I know they were huge hits on iTunes back during the 2007 American Idol season -- but I don't watch American Idol.) "Let's Fall In Love" and "Closer" are also standouts.

Clearly being signed to Sony Music a full 2 years after being on American Idol is no fluke. I'm sure this is the first of many great albums from a very talented young singer-songwriter.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars It Matters To Me, Too, April 13, 2010

By 

Lance G. Augustine (The Midwest, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jason Castro (Audio CD)

It isn't surprising to me I lost track of Jason Castro after American Idol's seventh season, even though I'd always thought he had an interesting, unique tone to his voice. I, like many others I'm sure, got so caught up in the battle of the Davids that the other contestants fell by the wayside. Besides, I didn't feel he was right for Idol's format, and I sensed his frustration and an "I don't really care" attitude about his music and his future.

Boy, was I ever wrong! Judging from what I'm hearing on his official debut, Jason not only cares about his music, he sings with such honesty and passion that listeners can't help but feel it as well.

I'm glad I didn't judge Jason's album solely on the light and fun first track, "Let's Just Fall In Love Again". While it does capture Jason's laid-back, carefree personality, it doesn't hint at the depth and quality of the songs that follow. I love that the producers have allowed Jason to be himself by keeping the overall vibe very loose and not weighing down these well-written songs with a lot of unnecessary instrumentation or special effects. Backing vocals and musical arrangements never get in the way of the acoustic guitar and Jason's intimate delivery of the mainly love/relationship-based lyrics. The record sounds natural and presents Jason as a folk pop singer-songwriter in the same vein as artists like Matt Nathanson, Jason Mraz and Gavin DeGraw.

This is truly one of those rare albums where I don't feel the need to skip over any of the tracks. However, there are four songs that move me the most. "This Heart Of Mine" is a high-energy ballad that showcases Jason's vocal range. "That's What I'm Here For" has an exquisite melody with a catchy chorus and a fantastic string arrangement. "You Can Always Come Home" is a duet where the female vocalist (Serena Ryder) sings a very complimentary harmony...everything sounds absolutely beautiful and you can really feel their connection. My personal favorite, "It Matters To Me", is a poignant, introspective ballad where the musical arrangement reminds me of some of my favorite, older Lifehouse songs...the use of delay effects creates an amazing atmosphere...simply stunning. Also, the recorded version of Jason's shining moment on American Idol ("Hallelujah") is incredible...most who felt it then should feel it now. Almost every song is fantasically melodic. It's one of those records where everything just seems to work.

Jason, you've got my attention now... A+

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Make You Feel Good CD, April 13, 2010

By 

Lori Lauten (Ca) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jason Castro (Deluxe Edition) (Audio CD)

This is a Make You Feel Good Cd, from start to finish.
I really like the duet with Serena Ryder, "You Can Always Come Home", and the second single from the album "That's What I'm Here For". But they are all good songs. Not a bad one in the bunch.