CD REVIEW: Jason Castro "Jason Castro"

Finally releasing his first album since leaving American Idol season 7 in 2008, Jason Castro has really outshone expectations. It's probably a good idea that Castro didn't actually win during his season, because his music wouldn't have grown and fermented in order to create this album. The entire album is not exactly new, as four of the eight songs on it have been previously released. "Let's Just Fall In Love Again" was Castro's debut single and is the lead track on his album. "Love Uncompromised" and "You Can Always Come Home" which features guest vocals by Serena Ryder were both released digitally earlier this year on the "Love Uncompromised" EP. Finally "Hallelujah," a cover of the Leonard Cohen song made famous by Jeff Buckley which Castro wowed judged on Idol with, closes out the album reminding us at the end exactly why Jason Castro needed to be discovered. The entire album, although short, is excellent and showcased Castro's ability to make excellent mellow pop rock, staying true to himself and his craft. Jason Castro surely is a great talent, and now has proven that he didn't need a television show to tell us that.