Saturday, June 19, 2010

What we're listening to: Jason Castro

Two years ago Jason Castro was a contestant on American Idol during Season 7 and was the first person to play an instrument on the AI stage. After Blake Lewis in season 6, AI viewers saw the contestants on the show shift from singers with booming vocals to artists who performed their own creative interpretations of songs. Season 7 found Castro, Brooke White, Carly Smithson, David Cook, and others changing up countless songs. Castro stood out with his interpretations of  "What a Day for a Daydream," "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," and Mariah Carey's "I Don't Wanna Cry." He is one of my favorite singers to come off American Idol, not only because of his unique performances but because of his laid-back, non-Hollywood personality.

Since season 7 ended we have already seen CDs put out by Castro's fellow contestants Brooke White, Michael Johns, David Archuleta, and David Cook (winner of that season). Well, Castro's pop-folk debut was worth the wait.  "Let's Just Fall in Love Again" is a fun, upbeat pop song to play again and again (and again). Hand claps, whistling, and even some ooohs... without a doubt, pop music at its best. Castro sings that he wants to fall in love again, "fall disgustingly fast / and we'll stop hanging out with friends / they'll be so offended." "This Heart of Mine" is another song you'll be singing along to in no time. On "It Matters to Me" Castro sings about wanting to hear about everything he missed while he was apart from his significant other: "Tell me all the things I couldn't see / Cause it matters to me." The Texas native even displays his country side on "You Can Always Come Home" with Serena Ryder, where he sings to a woman who's back with someone who's hurt her in the past and tells her he "miss[es] what we might of had."

Castro co-wrote all but three of the songs, and the CD also includes his cover of "Hallelujah." Even you are not an American Idol fan, I recommend checking out this CD for some undeniably catchy pop songs that feel bright as sunshine.
Find it in the catalog!