Send "Jason Castro " Ringtones to your Cell 
| Sputnikmusic |
 Jason Castro is the antithesis of an American Idol entrant. Laid-back and seemingly oblivious to the criticism of Cowell & Co., the dreadlocked Texan ushered in a new breed of Idol contestant by finishing fourth in Season 7 of the series. Not only was Castro the first ever finalist to play an instrument on stage, but he also caused the biggest boost in digital sales when his cover of ‘Hallelujah’ propelled Jeff Buckley’s version to the top of the iTunes charts. From Sting’s ‘Fragile’ to Dylan’s ‘Mr. Tambourine Man’, Castro’s folk-pop style paved the way for subsequent Idol aspirants to the point that the similar Crystal Bowersox is currently favored to win Season 9. Consistent to his mellow demeanour, Castro has not been hurried into releasing his debut LP. An ambitious late 2009 release date which would have pitted him against Kris Allen & Adam Lambert was shelved, as was a February 2010 offering. That is why it is rather disappointing that the self-titled album has finally arrived, but with only 8 tracks spanning just 28 minutes. Wasting no time showing his hand, opener ‘Let’s Just Fall In Love Again’ lays the foundation for the remainder of the album. Breezy and reminiscent of Jack Johnson’s more radio-friendly offerings, this chirpy lead single uses catchy toe-tapping melodies to sell Castro’s sincere and charming charisma. The 23 year old clearly knows his target demographic and does not deviate a great deal from his acoustic style. ‘Love Uncompromised’ adds a country twang, while ‘Closer’ is a little more electric, but the LP is predictably one-paced for the most part and only briefly adds ingredients such as strings and keys. Castro is a handy guitar player, but he never extends himself here, as any forays into blues and roots are nipped in the bud far too quickly. Lyrically, it is all about one thing: L-O-V-E. Some tracks are so uplifting that they almost get sickening. Take, for example, ‘This Heart of Mine’ where Castro croons “Lately I’ve caught you smiling a little more. You’re beautiful and I’m all yours”. At its worst, it even gets a little tedious, with ‘It Matters To Me’ recounting the singers want for his partner to discuss their time away from each other. However, there is one standout exception to the uninvolving majority, and that is highlight ‘You Can Always Come Home’. Raw and emotional due to its affecting lyrics, it also has the advantage of providing an X-factor through the echoing vocals of Juno Award winning Canadian singer-songwriter Serena Ryder....full text |
| Seattlepi |
| As I listen to Jason Castro's self-titled debut album, I have a huge smile on my face. I first came across Jason on a little show by the name of American Idol back in 2008. Here was a blue-eyed Texan with dreadlocks, a laid-back demeanor, and a voice that brought folk/pop front and center to season seven of Idol. TV/Film Music Sci/Tech Politics More from blogcritics.org · Weight Loss: What You Drink Impacts Your Diet –– Part One · VCV: Joe Bonamassa feat. B.B. King - "Night Life" · Book Review: Facebook: The Missing Manual by E. A. Vander Veer What is refreshing about Jason is that his album represents the same artist we got to know during his run on Idol. He still has his folk-pop sound, but on songs like "It Matters To Me" there's an added country feel. Jason released the single "Let's Just Fall In Love Again" last fall and the song showed his strength as a songwriter. It also portrayed the fun, playful side to his personality. The song can currently be heard in commercials for Overstock.com. His latest single, "That's What I'm Here For," shows warmth and compassion within his lyrics. I think it was a great choice for a single, as it encompasses who Jason is as an artist. There's a difference to his voice now; while it still has a soft and sincere quality, it has a richness to it that has very much enhanced his...full text |
| Boston |
| When he appeared on “American Idol’’ in 2008, Jason Castro seemed like an affable guy who probably would be happy strumming his guitar on the beach while staring into a sky as blue as his eyes. His short, eight-song debut proves that he is an artist to be reckoned with, though. Instead of rushing out a record, he has defined his sound, developed his vocals, and written some strong love songs. The breezy, acoustic-based set, produced by Eric Rosse, is uncluttered and extremely melodic. “Love Uncompromised’’ is a tender tune filled with desire that shows Castro’s expanded vocal range. The offbeat lead single, “Let’s Just Fall in Love Again,’’ with its ukulele and whistling, is the kind of charming pop rarely heard these days. Certainly, there is enough emotional and musical gravitas here, especially on the more muscular “Closer.’’ The deeply felt “You Can Always Come Home’’ is sung with an honest ache. Castro’s take on Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah’’ closes the disc, and this version, which won praise on “Idol,’’ is commanding. (Out tomorrow)...full text |
Jason Castro lyrics
|
| |||||||
