Review Summary: The new breed of Idol contestant finally delivers a passable debut.
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.
In a sense, the closer of Jason Castro’s self-titled debut LP is indicative of the album as a whole. Wisely including a studio recording of his version of ‘Hallelujah’, the interpretation may be solid and passable, but is ultimately too restrained to take it to the next level and stand out from the pack. The magic of the live performance is watered down and he only momentarily looks to test his voice. One can’t help but get the feeling that the potential is there with Castro, but one must wonder if his laid-back disposition could not only be a strength, but also the weakness which limits his capabilities.
Recommended Tracks: You Can Always Come Home, Closer & Let’s Just Fall In Love Again.
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