Another Great Review

[beckyvee]

www.musicnewsnashville.com/jason-castro-only-a-mountain

Over the past few years, Texas native Jason Castro has managed to carve out a very successful career in the world of Contemporary Christian music. For his new album, he adheres to the time honored creed of “If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It.”

His new album takes the warmth and honesty displayed in his past music, and takes it up a notch – which many of his fans might be somewhat surprised by. After all, he’s one of the top newer acts in the business, so being able to take his music and grow it even more is a great testament to his highly-esteemed talent.

One constant theme on this disc is hope. Castro showcases a lot of emotions and feelings here, but always with a positive outlook. The title cut is a magnificent piece of music in this vein, as is “Starting Line,” which is also one of the highlights here. Even on a track like “Same Kind Of Broken,” where he relays the message that we all have our demons and hurts from time to time, there is the optimism for a better day.

Stylistically, he manages to weave his music in some very diverse styles. “I Believe” blends some compelling guitar work with some stirring use of the strings, and the keyboards add a definite warmth and vitality to “If It’s Love,” which needs to be looked at as a possible record for outside the Christian market – if that is something Castro is willing to do. In either case, I think he has the music to ensure that his career continue on the upswing that he has been on as of late. This is definitely a name to watch in 2013!


I tried to put this in the existing review thread, but I couldn't get it to open

[sierrach aka susierrach]

Dawno's Music and Book Reviews
Join The NRTeam

View All Music And Book Reviews By Dawno | Return to Dawno's Profile
5
Only A Mountain by Jason | CD Reviews And Information | NewReleaseTuesday.com
"Only A Mountain" by Jason Castro

Rated 4.5 Stars

Average Rating By NRTeam Members
Rated 5 Stars | View All Reviews
Undeniably Good | Posted January 08, 2013 Staff Reviewer
You might say Jason Castro has been forging his path. The American Idol alum (fourth place, Season 7) released his eponymous pop debut in 2010 on Atlantic Records. Six months later, Atlantic Records and Word Records teamed up to re-introduce Castro to the Christian market with Who I Am, an album comprised of five songs from his debut combined with five new faith-based songs. One gets the sense that professionally, young Castro, who had joined the I Am Second campaign, was trying to find a place where he belonged. Fast forward to 2013, and Jason Castro is releasing Only A Mountain, his first full-length Word Records release.

If you are familiar with Castro’s earlier, primarily acoustic sound, you’ll notice that he and producers Matt Bronlewee, Ben Glover, and David Garcia have amped things up. In a sense, Castro is starting anew. And he appears to have label support as he readies to promote the record on tour beginning with Winter Jam.

Castro has written or co-written all eleven songs on Only a Mountain. Informed by his family life and spiritual journey, the compositions explore themes of faith and hope. Castro sings with confidence on lead single and title track “Only a Mountain”, inspired by Matthew 17:20, where Jesus explains to the apostles that faith “the size of a mustard seed” has the power to move mountains. Castro sings with conviction, and he is already hearing stories about how God is reaching people through this song.

Castro passionately declares his faith with “I Believe”: “In my darkest night you’ll guide me / I believe / When I lose my way you’ll find me / I believe / When I can’t see any way out, I find / And when I cannot see, I believe”. Built on the strength of this terrific chorus, “I Believe” is a beautiful song that feels like you’ve heard it before. That’s not to say it’s derivative, but rather it’s a compliment to a strong melody that creates an instant feeling of familiarity. Castro says it is his wife’s favorite. I think it’s also mine.

“If It’s Love” is a personal song shaped by the demands and difficulties that touring can bring, and the friction the road can cause in his relationship with his wife. The message: “If it’s love, then love is worth the fight”.

Another song about a different kind of relationship, “Starting Line” is an energetic take on the spiritual awakening that brings about a new beginning when faith becomes more tangible and personal. He aptly expresses this with the line, “[it] feels so good to finally meet you”.

Castro sings of the transforming power of grace on “Stay This Way”. Genuine and inviting, rather than intimidating and preachy, the song should reach listeners and touch hurting hearts. Castro explores brokenness and the universal need for grace with the captivating “Same Kind of Broken”. Moriah Peters joins in, her voice blending delightfully with his, on this intimate but lush number that encourages unity and brotherly love.

Hoping to draw awareness and call listeners to action, Castro wrote “Safehouse” in response to his involvement at a benefit event in Dallas to build the first Safe House in Texas where victims of sex trafficking could find refuge.

“Runaway” is the rocker of the record, and Castro delivers it with abandon. I had to overcome a hurdle before I could embrace this song. I wrestled with the fear that by giving positive connotations to the term runaway, Castro may have unintentionally glamorized running away. However, once I made peace with the fact that he’s talking about fleeing from the world and running toward God, I grew to love the song. When you think about our Heavenly future, Christ followers will all be runaways. But instead of running from home, we will finally have reached it.

“Enough” is a moving musical letter to his daughter. This will be a wonderful song for girls, but it is a message everyone needs to hear. I particularly like the final bridge: “We’ve all got pieces, we’ve got bruises / Grace can cover them up / Don’t have to be somebody perfect/ Cause you’re enough”.

“Rise to You” finds hope through faith even in darkness. I was surprised to read this song was almost not recorded. We all have those dark days, and listeners will find encouragement here.

Castro rounds out the album with the ebullient “Good Love”. What a happy, bouncy piece of joy! Castro has said that he aspires to “be undeniable”. Congratulations, Jason! “Good Love” is just that – undeniable!

Closing Thoughts:
Jason Castro has always had a strong, original voice. Up until now, his records haven’t had the strength of material to match it. However, with Only A Mountain, he has come into his own. His songwriting has matured, his music has grown more robust and varied, and his performance is consistently passionate and energetic. If listeners embrace it, Only A Mountain could be a breakthrough album for a bright new talent.

Highlights:
“I Believe”, “Starting Line”, “Stay This Way”, “Enough”, and “Good Love”

Song to Download:
“Good Love”


Comments (0) | Add Comment | Is This Review Helpful? Yes | No

View All Album and Book Reviews By This Author | Return to Dawno's Profile

ADVERTISEMENT


Home | About NRT | NRT Radio | CMSpin News | Help | Link To Us | Advertising Information | Privacy & Site Terms | NRTeam Policies | Contact Us
Become A NRTeam Member | Subscribe To Newsletter | Christian Music RSS Feeds
©2002-13 NewReleaseTuesday.com, A Division Of NRT Media Inc.


Icon

[Flying]

Awesome...keep those reviews coming ... love reading about Jason in the news...

[grfgrl4ever]

It has been a long time since I have been on here. See many of you on Facebook and twitter. Will try to visit more often. Loved the reviews!

[sierrach aka susierrach]

grfgrl4eva..Great to see you here...Hope to see you more often.