BuyToday marks the release of Jason Castro's first post-Idol album, Jason Castro. The album, courtesy of Atlantic Records, features tracks like the first two singles "Let's Just Fall In Love Again" and "That's What I'm Here For" as well as a cover of "Hallelujah."
Although it came out last week, be sure to check out Kimberley Locke's new single "Strobelight," on which she worked with Randy Jackson. The single is courtesy of Jackson's label Dream Merchant 21 Entertainment.
Links to purchase the aforementioned can be found below:
Jason Castro, Jason Castro
Amazon - ($8.00 standard, $13.99 exclusive) - Buy: standard
, exclusive
Amazon MP3 - ($8.00 standard, $11.99 deluxe) - Buy: standard
, deluxe
Barnes & Noble - ($7.99) - Buy
Best Buy - ($9.99) - Buy
Buy.com - ($8.99) - Buy
CDUniverse.com - ($7.14) - Buy
iTunes - ($9.99 standard, #12.99) - Buy: standard, deluxe
Sears - ($8.99) - Buy
Target - ($9.98) - Buy
Walmart - ($8.00) - Buy
Kimberley Locke, "Strobelight"
Amazon MP3 - ($0.99) - Buy
iTunes - ($0.99) - Buy
The Amazon exclusive version of Jason Castro features six bonus tracks including an acoustic version of "Let's Just Fall In Love Again" and a cover of "Over the Rainbow."
The album, which is courtesy of RCA Nashville and was produced by Carrie Underwood's producer, Mark Bright, features the first single "My Best Days Are Ahead of Me" in addition to songs like "Tiny Life" and "I Will Not Say Goodbye."
Links to purchase the aforementioned can be found below:
Albums
Danny Gokey, My Best Days
Amazon - ($8.98) - Buy
Amazon MP3 - ($9.99) - Buy
Barnes & Noble - ($9.99) - Buy
Best Buy - ($9.99) - Buy
Buy.com - ($9.99) - Buy
CDUniverse.com - ($9.58) - Buy
iTunes - ($7.99) - Buy
Sears - ($8.99) - Buy
Target - ($8.98) - Buy
Walmart - ($11.88) - Buy
Be sure to read my review of My Best Days and see my prediction of how many units the album will sell in its first week.
A lot of new releases by Idol alums have gone unreported over the past few weeks, let's take a glance at what's found its way onto iTunes recently from the franchise.
Now available on iTunes:
EPs
Jason Castro, The Love Uncompromised - EP - ($4.95) - Buy
Singles
Fantasia, "Even Angels" - ($1.29) - Buy
Jennifer Hudson, "Let It Be (ft. The Roots)" - ($0.99) - Buy
Music Videos
Carrie Underwood, "Temporary Home" - ($1.99) - Buy
Danny Gokey, "My Best Days Are Ahead of Me" - ($1.99) - Buy
Adam Lambert, "Whataya Want From Me" - ($1.99) - Buy
Also featured now on iTunes is Kris Allen's celebrity playlist podcast, which features songs like MGMT's "Electric Feel" and Radiohead's "High and Dry."
Links to purchase the aforementioned can be found below:
Albums,
Katharine McPhee, Unbroken
Amazon.com - ($7.99) - Buy
Amazon MP3 - (3.99) - Buy
Barnes & Noble - ($12.19) - Buy
Bet Buy - ($7.99) - Buy
Buy.com - ($12.88) - Buy
CDUniverse.com - ($11.16) - Buy
iTunes - ($9.99 standard, $11.99 deluxe) - Buy: standard, deluxe
Sears - ($10.79) - Buy
Target - (9.99 deluxe edition) - Buy
Walmart - ($11.88) - Buy
The deluxe edition of Unbroken available at Target includes the "Had It All" music video, behind the scenes footage, an exclusive interview and a photo gallery. The iTunes version includes the bonus tracks "Takes a Lot of Love" and "Help Me" in addition to the music video for "Had It All."
Also out today is Katharine McPhee's latest digital release in the form of "How," the seventh track off her sophomore album Unbroken, out Tues., Jan. 5.
Links to purchase the aforementioned can be found below:
Singles
Danny Gokey, "My Best Days Are Ahead of Me"
Amazon MP3 - ($1.29) - Buy
iTunes - ($1.29) - Buy
Katharine McPhee, "How"
iTunes - ($0.99) - Buy
For a limited time, Katharine's album Unbroken 
The most high profile Idol-related release this week is David Archuleta's Christmas single "Joy to the World." The song is the first track on David's hit album Christmas From the Heart. The song is being featured as iTunes' holiday single of the week.
Also out today is Michael Sarver's double single "You Are" / "Cinderella Girl." The single is listed in the country genre and actually sounds like something Kris Allen would record.
Links to purchase the aforementioned can be found below:
Singles
David Archuleta, "Joy to the World"
iTunes - (Free) - Buy
Michael Sarver, "You Are" / "Cinderella Girl"
iTunes - ($1.98) - Buy
Michael's singles are courtesy of Dream Records, a label that he was announced to have inked a deal with late last week.
For the third week in a row, an alum from Idol's eighth season releases their debut album. This week it's Allison Iraheta's turn to satisfy her fans, as her CD Just Like You drops nationwide.
The album features songs written by esteemed writers such as Toby Gad ("Scars"), Max Martin ("Friday I'll Be Over U"), Sam Watters ("D Is For Dangerous") and Kara DioGuardi ("No One Else").
Links to purchase the aforementioned can be found below:
Amazon.com - ($9.99) - Buy
Amazon MP3 - ($9.99) - Buy
Barnes & Noble - ($12.19) - Buy
Best Buy - ($9.99) - Buy
Buy.com - ($11.99) - Buy
CDUniverse - ($11.18) - Buy
iTunes - ($9.99 standard, $11.99 deluxe) - Buy: standard, deluxe
Sears - ($10.79) - Buy
Target - ($11.98) - Buy
Walmart - ($13.88) - Buy
The iTunes version of Just Like You includes two bonus tracks, with the exclusive pre-order track "Don't Wanna Be Wrong" written by Chris Daughtry and the Spanish version of "Friday I'll Be Over U" ("El Viernes Te Olvido Yo").
Adam Lambert is the second Idol alum from the most recent season of the show to release an album as his For Your Entertainment looks to top the charts during what is traditionally the third-busiest shopping week of the year.
The album features Adam's lead single and title track "For Your Entertainment" in addition to tracks written by some big artists in their own right like "Whataya Want From Me" (P!NK), "Fever" (Lady Gaga) and "Pick U Up" (Rivers Cuomo of Weezer).
Links to purchase the aforementioned can be found below:
Amazon.com - ($9.99) - Buy
Amazon MP3 - ($3.99) - Buy
Barnes & Noble - ($9.99) - Buys
Best Buy - ($9.99) - Buy
Buy.com - ($13.88) - Buy
CDUniverse - ($11.18) - Buy
iTunes - ($16.99 deluxe, $10.99 standard) - Buy: deluxe, standard
Sears - ($10.79) - Buy
Target - ($9.98) - Buy
Walmart - ($13.88) - Buy
The only version of Entertainment featuring bonus content is the deluxe edition on iTunes, which includes two bonus tracks ("Master Plan" and "Down the Rabbit Hole") and two "behind the scenes"video segments filmed during a photo shoot and in the recording studio.
Kris Allen is the first from the latest batch of Idol alums to release an album. The album, courtesy of Jive Records, finds Kris working with such writers and producers as Toby Gad, Steve Kipner and Andrew Frampton.
Links to purchase the aforementioned can be found below:
Albums
Kris Allen, Kris Allen
Amazon.com - ($9.99) - Buy
Amazon MP3 - ($10.99) - Buy
Barnes & Noble - ($9.99) - Buy
Best Buy - ($9.99) - Buy
Buy.com - ($11.98) - Buy
CDUniverse - ($11.18) - Buy
iTunes - ($10.99) - Buy
Sears - ($10.79) - Buy
Walmart - ($13.88) - Buy
The Walmart edition of Kris Allen features the bonus track "Send Me All Your Angels," which he co-wrote with Chris Daughtry. To read my review of Kris' album, see here.
Two releases from alums of Idol's fifth season hit the digital marketplace today, as semifinalist Ayla Brown debuts her live album with The James Montgomery Blues Band and The Uptown Horns, while runner-up Katharine McPhee has her third digital single ahead of her sophomore album's drop date of Jan. 5, 2010.
Ayla Brown Live! features six tracks that were recorded by the Top 16 contestant over the summer with the aforementioned bands. It is her first main release since 2006's Forward.
Katharine's single "Lifetime" is her third digital release since August following lead single "Had It All" and "Say Goodbye."
Also appearing on iTunes for a limited time only is third season sixth-place finalist John Stevens' Christmas album Home For Christmas, which includes 12 holiday favorites.
And Brooke White's exclusive Live Session - EP featuring three songs is also up on iTunes, as are pre-orders for Adam Lambert's For Your Entertainment and Allison Iraheta's Just Like You.
Links to purchase the aforementioned can be found below:
Albums
Ayla Brown, Ayla Brown Live!
Amazon MP3 - ($5.94) - Buy
iTunes - ($6.93) - Buy
John Stevens, Home for Christmas
iTunes - ($9.99) - Buy
EPs
Brooke White, Live Session (iTunes Exclusive)
iTunes - ($2.97) - Buy
Singles
Katharine McPhee, "Lifetime"
iTunes - ($0.99) - Buy
Pre-orders
Adam Lambert, For Your Entertainment
iTunes - ($16.99) - Buy
Allison Iraheta, Just Like You
iTunes - ($11.99) - Buy
The iTunes version of Ayla Brown Live! includes a bonus track in the form of a studio version of Macy Gray's "Come Together."
After two years, Carrie Underwood finally unleashes her latest album Play On. The album features 13 tracks including the current country smash "Cowboy Casanova" and promotional singles "Mama's Song," "Temporary Home" and "Undo It."
Writing credits include Hillary Lindsey, Luke Laird, Max Martin, Kara DioGuardi, Raine Maida, Chantal Kreviazuk and Carrie herself among others.
Links to purchase the aforementioned can be found below:
Albums
Carrie Underwood, Play On
Amazon.com - ($9.99) - Buy
Amazon MP3 - ($8.99) - Buy
Barnes & Noble - ($9.99) - Buy
Best Buy - ($9.99) - Buy
Buy.com - ($12.97) - Buy
CDUniverse - ($11.18) - Buy
CMT Shop - ($13.98) - Buy
iTunes - ($10.99) - Buy
Sears - ($10.79) - Buy
Walmart - ($13.88) - Buy
The only version of Play On that includes bonus material of any sort is the iTunes version, which includes the pre-order bonus track "O Holy Night," which was previously available on a Walmart edition of Carrie's second album Carnival Ride that was released last fall.
"Temporary Home," the third of three consecutive singles from Carrie Underwood in the weeks leading up to her third studio album Play On (Nov. 3) was today released to iTunes.
Links to purchase the aforementioned can be found below:
Singles,
Carrie Underwood, "Undo It"
iTunes - ($1.29) - Buy
"Undo It" is a feisty uptempo track co-written by Carrie, Kara DioGuardi, Martin Frederiksen and Luke Laird. It is the fifth track to appear on Play On.
"Temporary Home," the second of three consecutive singles from Carrie Underwood in the weeks leading up to her third studio album Play On (Nov. 3) was today released to iTunes.
Also making an appearance on digital retailers Adam Lambert's single "Time For Miracles" for the 2012 soundtrack.
Links to purchase the aforementioned can be found below:
Singles,
Carrie Underwood, "Temporary Home"
iTunes - ($1.29) - Buy
Adam Lambert, "Time For Miracles"
Amazon MP3 - ($1.29) - Buy
iTunes - ($1.29) - Buy
"Temporary Home," which was co-written by Carrie, Luke Laird and Zac Maloy, has been getting massive amounts of praise from all corners, with both Carrie and boyfriend Mike Fisher calling it their favorite song on the album.
"Time For Miracles" is getting a big push ahead of the release of 2012, as its music video featuring Adam will premiere in movie theaters across the country on Wed., Oct. 28, when it will air before Michael Jackson's concert film This Is It.
David Archuleta is the second Idol runner-up to release an album within two weeks. He is, however, the first alum to release a Christmas album for the 2009 season in Christmas From the Heart. Although Christmas seems like an eternity away, it is not uncommon to see music for the holiday season appear on store shelves in mid-October. Christmas is being released on behalf of Jive Records, Arch's label.
Also out today is Carrie Underwood's single "Mama's Song," available at iTunes as part of the countdown to Carrie's third studio album, Play On, which is due out Tues., Nov. 3.
And Brooke White's Live Session (iTunes Exclusive) EP featuring live versions of songs like "Radio Radio," "Hold Up My Heart" and "Rhiannon" was added to the juggernaut digital music retailer.
Links to purchase the aforementioned can be found below:
Albums
David Archuleta, Christmas From the Heart
Amazon.com - ($9.99) - Buy
Amazon MP3 - ($9.99) - Buy
Barnes & Noble - ($11.98) - Buy
Best Buy - ($9.99) - Buy
Buy.com - ($10.98) - Buy
CDUniverse.com - ($11.18) - Buy
iTunes - ($9.99) - Buy
Sears - ($10.79) - Buy
Target - ($13.99) - Buy
Walmart - ($12.88) - Buy
Singles
Carrie Underwood, "Mama's Song"
iTunes - ($1.29) - Buy
EPs
Brooke White, Live Session (iTunes Exclusive)
iTunes - ($4.95) - Buy
For those who are on the fence as to whether or not they should purchase it, Arch's album can now be streamed in full on AOL Music.
After his first album Audio Day Dream failed to excite listeners beyond his Idol fan base, Blake Lewis returns to the music scene with his sophomore effort Heartbreak On Vinyl. The album, which is courtesy of Tommy Boy Entertainment, features 13 songs including the lead single "Sad Song."
Links to purchase the aforementioned can be found below:
Albums
Blake Lewis, Heartbreak On Vinyl
Amazon.com - ($7.99) - Buy
Amazon MP3 - ($7.99) - Buy
Barnes & Noble - ($13.59) - Buy
Best Buy - ($7.99) - Buy
Buy.com - ($11.99) - Buy
CDUniverse - ($13.00) - Buy
iTunes - ($11.99) - Buy
Sears - ($10.79) - Buy
Walmart - ($9.00) - Buy
Blake has been tweeting about the release constantly over the past week and is understandably excited about the album. For example, Blake wrote:Just got done chatting with some great fans and friends. Now I'm gonna release and take it in that my album is out tomorrow. Exciting!!! about 2 hours ago
from webOn the eve of the album's release, Blake chatted with fans on his official Web site.
Katharine McPhee lets fans hear one last taste of her new material following the disheartening news that her forthcoming sophomore album, Unbroken, has been delayed until a Tues., Jan. 5 release. To help lessen the blow, her record label, Verve Forecast, releases the ballad "Say Goodbye" as a digital single at iTunes.
Links to purchase the aforementioned can be found below:
Singles
Katharine McPhee, "Say Goodbye"
iTunes - ($0.99) - Buy
Despite the fact that it will not hit store shelves until next year, Kat's album Unbroken can still be pre-ordered at Amazon.com as both a CD and CD/DVD combo.
The lone Idol-related release today comes from Season 7 fourth-place finalist Jason Castro, as his debut single "Let's Just Fall In Love Again" is released to iTunes. The song is Jason's lead single off his forthcoming debut album with Atlantic Records.
Links to purchase the aforementioned can be found below:
Singles
Jason Castro, "Let's Just Fall In Love Again"
iTunes - ($1.29) - Buy
Jason's single has been available as a free download to fans that have pre-ordered the album on his official Web site.
For the first time in a while, a new Idol-related single sees its release as an exclusive download at iTunes in the form of Katharine McPhee's "Had It All." The song, which was penned by Mitch Allan, David Hodges & Kara DioGuardi, is the first single off Katharine's upcoming release Unbroken, which is due out Tues., Oct. 6.
Also out today is Phil Stacey's sophomore album Into the Light, which is courtesy of Reunion Records. The album, which features the lead single "You're Not Shaken," is in the Contemporary Christian genre, a departure from his previous experiments in country music.
Links to purchase the aforementioned can be found below:
Singles
Katharine McPhee, "Had It All"
iTunes - ($0.99) - Buy
Albums
Phil Stacey, Into the Light
Amazon - ($13.98) - Buy
Amazon MP3 - ($9.99) - Buy
Barnes & Noble - ($11.09) - Buy
Best Buy - ($12.99) - Buy
CDUniverse - ($11.18) - Buy
iTunes - ($9.99) - Buy
Sears - ($8.99) - Buy
Katharine has been excitedly tweeting about the single's release over the past week, and informed fans that two webisodes would be released on her official music MySpace page on the same day. Unbroken can now be pre-ordered on Amazon as a CD/DVD deluxe package as well as a traditional CD.
Today marks the release of Idol Season 6 Top 20 contestant Leslie Hunt's latest album, Your Hair Is On Fire, courtesy of Ellenel Records. Although it was supposed to be available on the independent digital retailer CDBaby, there seem to be some issues with getting the album up on the site. Per a tweet from Leslie earlier today:My CD is being held hostage by the horrible customer service over at CDBaby. This is such a disaster! It's supposed to be available 2day!! about 2 hours ago from web
Despite the glitch, Your Hair Is On Fire is available to purchase beginning today at Reckless Records in Chicago and the Borders location in St. Charles, Ill., and will be available to download on iTunes beginning next week. In the meantime, don't forget to download Leslie's single, "American Dream Man," for free via her official Web site.
