Amazon.co.uk Review: Thanks to a fortuitous intersection of talent and fate, 22-year-old Josh Groban hasn't finished his senior year in performing arts school but has already released Closer, his sophomore effort on a major label. Fans of the young vocal phenomenon's debut will find much to enthral them here, even if it nudges the singer closer to the centre of producer/mentor David Foster's MOR pop sensibilities. Eschewing much of its predecessors more overt classic-lite pretensions and pop-rock covers for a slate of dramatic, Eurocentric ballads that serve as a showcase for the singer's inviting baritone, Groban shrewdly positions himself as the American alternative to the Bocelli-Watson crossover axis. "Caruso" may find the singer falling short of its operatic inspiration, but "Oceano" and "My Confession" quickly showcase the singer's true dramatic range (which seems to all but yearn for a bona fide Broadway musical challenge), while a vocal take of Bacalov's graceful "Il Postino" theme uses classical virtuoso Joshua Bell's violin flourishes to good effect. To his credit, Groban displays some promising efforts at songwriting collaboration on the bittersweet "Per Te" and "Remember When It Rains", while the ambient/ethnic soundscape of Deep Forest's "Never Let Go" offers a teasing alternative to the record's otherwise melodramatic production formula. Groban has found commercial triumph via Foster's mentoring, but there remains a nagging sense here that he hasn't truly pushed himself as an artist--yet. --Jerry McCulley
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Not that good
I am a big fan and the dvd I own of him in concert is superb,but this album has one or two good tracks but does not come up to his usual standard.What the enhanced bit is I dont know.
Rating: - Beyond Compare
What can I say that others before me haven't said in superlatives. Josh Groban fuses heart and soul together into music beyond compare. God's gift to this world.
Rating: - Well, I was bowled over by the ones in English.
I was treated to this as a present and couldn't wait to pop it on and sit back with some chocolate (well he's such a handsome chap too isn't he?!). But I was reluctantly disappointed overall. I wish there was at least a translation of the Italian (or are they in Spanish? I have no idea)tracks because not having a clue what he's singing really takes away most of the experience for me.
The English tracks are amazing however! He sounds as if he is really living the lyrics. Gorgeous. Gorgeous. ... Read More
Rating: - STUNNING FROM BEGINING TO END !!!!!!!!!!
i first heard of josh through an episode of ally mcbeale ( sad i know )but after his performance hunted him out buying his debut loved it, then came closer this boy can sing .this is a stunning album full of surprises stand out tracks to many to mention just buy it and enjoy
Rating: - Almost a 5 Star Album
Closer is the second Josh Groban Album I have in my collection, he should not be simply compared to other singers, especially not Westlife, and he certainly should not be assessed on "You Raise Me Up" alone. I found myself really enjoying the non English tracks, in particular Si Volvieras a Mi and not the english ones although I do like Broken Vow. Josh Groban may not have the power of a Russell Watson but he has a voice I personally enjoy listening to, If he was to combine the non english tracks from his ... Read More
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