Casey Abrams of "American Idol" fame releases debut album

(CBS News) Casey Abrams walked into CBSNews.com for an interview recently, and was immediately recognized.

"My wife loved you on 'American Idol,'" an enthusiastic passer-by told the 21-year-old singer.

If you're an "American Idol" fan then you, too, will likely remember Abrams' stint on season 10 of the Fox series.

His version of "I Heard it Through the Grapevine" prompted judges to execute a "save," keeping Abrams on the series a little longer. In the end, Abrams, a California native, finished sixth on the talent competition. After belting out "Fat Bottomed Girls" with Jack Black during the 2011 finale, it was time to go on tour with the rest of the gang.

By now, "American Idol" contestants have a good idea about the "Idol" process and what to expect after the "American Idols Live!" tour winds down at the end of each summer.

For Abrams, he knew what he wanted to do post-tour: Record a debut album that would make people happy. He also didn't want to conform to one specific genre.

"I did the music that I exactly wanted to do -- and the songs and the subject matter," Abrams told CBSNews.com about his self-titled album, out today on Concord Records. I'm just happy that my vibes have been translated onto a CD," adding, "I wrote songs about shoes and mangoes."

Mangoes? Yes, that's right. "You and me, eating mangoes in a mango tree," Abrams sings on "Stuck in London," one of the 11 tracks on the set.

"It's mostly about wanting girls to like me," Abrams shares about the songs, which range from folk-pop to rootsy-jazz.

Abrams played an instrument on every song, too, ranging from bass to drums, and even the recorder, his first-ever instrument.

"If that wasn't the case, then it wouldn't be 'very me,'" he said about the album, which was recorded in London and also features a guest cameo by fellow "Idol" alum Haley Reinhart.

What also sounds "very Abrams" are his potential touring plans.

"I might go around the country in my car," he revealed. "Bring a bass, a guitar, an accordion and see what happens. I'm not too sure," said Abrams. He may also take a musician or two along for the cross-country ride.

For Abrams, it's all about spontaneity and getting his music heard.

"I'm really into it for the music," he said. "If you have that attitude, then how can you fail?"

On Tuesday, Abrams started streaming his album online. Take a listen here.