CD Review: Cristian Castro - El Indomable

Mexican pop-balladeer Cristian Castro takes a detour from his normal fare with an all ranchera album inspired and directed by ranchera icon Vicente Fernandez. Those who think Castro would be out of his depth will be pleasantly surprised, as Castro rises to the challenge with an album full of pleasant, romantic ranchera melodies highlighted by a strong, sensitive voice.

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Mexican pop singer Cristian Castro has been in the news more for his marital woes than for his musical accomplishments. But his light, romantic pop ballads have always done well with his faithful audience. If you're familiar with his pleasant, undemanding pop albums and with his sulky, bad boy image, it's difficult to imagine Castro turning to a traditional form of music. And there's nothing more traditional than Mexican ranchera.

But here he is, dressed in Mexican mariachi regalia, singing all-out on an all-ranchera album. Ranchera icon Vicente Fernandez apparently saw and heard something in Castro's music that nudged him to take Castro under his wing and direct the album which was recorded at his ranch in Jalisco, including providing costumes and props and singing a duet with him on the album.

Castro and ranchera might seemed far-fetched until you listen to El Indomable. Castro is a wonderful surprise as a ranchera singer. His voice has a wide range, much more resonance than is obvious on his pop recordings and a sensibility and styling that is faithful to the ranchera style while bringing something a touch more modern to the mix. He strains for his high notes once in a while, but it's not too detracting from a performance that's really quite a masterful feat of vocalization.

Castro has said that he was surprised at how difficult it was to sing this type of music, but it seems that this vocal and stylistic stretch has brought out a side of his artistry that will benefit him and his fans. It makes El Indomable an album that will be enjoyed by both Castro and ranchera fans.