"Album of the Year 2007"  - Blueswax

"Contemporary Blues Album of the Year"  2008 Blues Music Award 

Tommy is one of the most popular and creative roots artists to emerge in recent years. Teamed here with esteemed producer John Porter (Taj Mahal, Keb Mo, Santana, B.B. King, Elvis Costello, Buddy Guy), Tommy has crafted a killer collection of new tunes in his signature rock 'n' soul style.

"San Francisco's Tommy Castro is known as a major blues player. But there's always been a good deal of soul and rock in his blues, and some of the top tunes on "Painkiller" show those influences in the best possible light. "It's That Time Again" is a beautiful bit of soul music - a tasty number keyed by Keith Crossan (sax) and Tom Poole (trumpet). "Big Sister's Radio" is a choice take on classic doo-wop rock 'n' roll. Blueswise, Castro and guest Coco Montoya make a feast of Albert Collins' "A Good Fool Is Hard to Find," and Castro hits the sweet spot with the opening track, the original blues-rocker "Love Don't Care." In a more downtempo groove, check "Lonesome and Then Some" - a winning tune Castro authored with Jeff Silbar." - Billboard

"Roaring roadhouse romps like "I Roll When I Rock" and "A Good Fool Is Hard to Find" - Castro trades incendiary licks with Coco Montoya on the latter - alternate with the funky New Orleans flavor of "Goin' Down South" and the silky, Sam Cooke grooving of "Big Sister's Radio." Castro's McClinton-like rasp, meanwhile, lends an extra touch of soul to more downbeat numbers like "Err on the Side of Love" and "Lonesome and Then Some." The latter segues into the final cut, "It Ain't Easy Being Me," a tongue-in-cheek lament with a nice light touch that, fittingly, ends this infectious set on a bright note." - The Philadelphia Inquirer

"Blind Pig Records Tommy Castro's pure Fender tone, whiskey-and-cigarette voice, and knack for writing a great tune are about as good as it gets on the blues circuit these days. On this new disc, Castro shows an affinity for old-style soul on cuts like "Big Sister's Radio" that sounds as natural and up-to-date as anything on the R&B charts. The funky march of songs like "Love Don't Care" reeks of soul, and for good measure, the Bay Area stalwart isn't afraid to pull out a shuffle and let it ride. His duet with Coco Montoya on the Albert Collins tune "A Good Fool Is Hard To Find" is a chance for both guys to let 'er rip. Tommy can also write a great hook. His "Err On The Side Of Love" is impossible to get out of your head. Castro has obviously absorbed a lot of lessons from the masters of soul music, as you hear on cuts like "Goin' Down South." The rollicking piano, mixed with Castro's rock sesibilities, gives the song a fine New Orleans feel guaranteed to get body parts moving." - Vintage Guitar

CD Track Listing:

1. Love Don't Care  (sample)
2. I'm Not Broken (sample)
3. Painkiller
4. Big Sister's Radio
5. A Good Fool Is Hard To Find
6. Err On The Side Of Love
7. I Roll When I Rock  (sample)
8. If You Believe (In What You Do)
9. It's That Time Again  (sample)
10. Goin' Down South
11. Lonesome and Then Some
12. It Ain't Easy Being Me