Idol Chatter & Voice Views

“Jason Castro”
Jason Castro

1. Let’s Just Fall in Love Again
2. This Heart of Mine
3. That’s What I’m Here For
4. Heart of Stone *
5. If You Were *
6. You Can Always Come Home
7. Love Uncompromised
8. Closer
9. All Wrapped Up *
10. It Matters to Me
11. Hallelujah
12. Let’s Just Fall
in Love Again (Acoustic) *
13. Sweet Medicine *
14. Over the Rainbow *

* On deluxe album

First off, let me say I wasn’t a big Jason Castro fan during season seven of American Idol.

Not of his goofy persona. Not of his inconsistent performances. Not of his seemingly lackadaisical attitude at a time others — David Cook, David Archuleta and Brooke White, for instance — were busting their butts to win.

And I found his first single off his first album, a song called “Let’s Just Fall in Love Again,” downright annoying.

So when I downloaded the deluxe version of his self-titled album off iTunes the day it was released (April 12), I wasn’t expecting much.

And I wound up being pleasantly surprised.

Look, you’re not going to get anything deep in terms of social commentary. This is, after all, a Jason Castro album.

But that’s OK because Jason does what he does best on the album, play guitar and sing songs about relationships, most of which he co-wrote.

“That’s What I’m Here For” — the song Jason played on ABC’s “The Bachelor: Jason and Molly’s Wedding” — might be the best released by an Idol this year. Now there’s a tune I wouldn’t mind having stuck in my head.

“You Can Always Come Home,” a duet with Canadian singer/songwriter Serena Ryder, is another gem.

And speaking of Jason’s time on Idol, renditions of his two most memorable performances from the show — Jeff Buckley’s “Hallelujah” and the ukulele-accompanied “Over the Rainbow” — are on the album.

Well, actually, only “Hallelujah” is on the base album, with its rather skimpy eight tracks.

The deluxe album features five more songs, plus an acoustic version of “Let’s Just Fall in Love Again” (once was enough, Jason).

The best of the extras: “Heart of Stone,” a song that would fit comfortably on a Tom Petty album. That’s a compliment.

Bottom line: If you weren’t a Jason fan, put your assumptions aside and check out his album.

He continues a run of superior efforts from the season seven cast.

Download worthy: “That’s What I’m Here For,” “You Can Always Come Home,” “Heart of Stone,” “Hallelujah.”

Grade: B

Other reviews:
AllMusic.com: Gives Jason 3 stars out of 5.
New York Daily News: Gives Jason 2 stars out of 5.