Closer [ENHANCED]

Josh Groban

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 11, 2003)
• Original Release Date: November 11, 2003
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced
• Label: Reprise / Wea
• ASIN: B0000CFW87
• In-Print Editions: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (600 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #388 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #3 in	Music > Pop > Euro Pop
  #20 in	Music > Pop > Vocal Pop > Classic
  #42 in	Music > Broadway & Vocalists

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

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 his sophomore effort on a major major label. Fans of the young vocal phenom's debut will find much to enthrall them here, even if it nudges the singer closer to the center of producer/mentor David Foster's MOR pop sensibilities. Eschewing much of its predecessor's 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 his 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

Product Description

Import pressing of the 2003 album from the American singing sensation features one bonus track, 'She's Out of My Life'. Produced by David Foster, this sophomore effort elaborates on the poppier side of his debut, smoothes out the edges and is a much stronger offering. Groban's vocals have grown, allowing him to add power and passion into his delivery without sounding forced or insincere. 14 tracks in all including 'My Confession', 'Caruso', 'Broken Vow' and 'Never Let Go', a collaboration with Deep Forest. Warner. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

273 of 296 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This follow-up album exceeded my expectations..............., November 16, 2003

By A Customer

I became a Josh Groban fan after I saw his PBS concert special. His voice just takes my breath away. He has such a mature voice despite his young age. I wasted no time getting his second album. I have no regrets purchasing "Closer". Often artists change their musical formula either too much or the other main complaint is lack of variety and not evolving enough musically. I think Josh's cd has an excellent balance between the two. His first album was sung mostly in italian and english. Closer has a variety of songs sung in italian, english, spanish, and french. Definitely a good move in a positive way because I can appreciate his voice in that many more languages. His voice is beautiful and he has a powerful range. "Remember when it rained" is a very slow and tender ballad which is wonderful to listen to. I didn't know he wrote the lyrics until I saw it in the cd cover. It is one of my favorite songs. "You Raise Me Up" is also a good song- very patriotic sounding. "My Confession" is also great- the texture and rhythms make it sound incredible. I enjoyed the opening track "Oceano", Si Volvieras a Mi, All Improvisio Amore, and Mi Mancherai (with the beautiful violin accompaniment). Overall, I was very impressed with Josh's second album. Although I have absolutely no understanding of what he is saying in the foreign songs, he still sounds great. Get "Closer" to Josh and you won't be disappointed.

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A true musician, November 14, 2003

By	S. McEnaney (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was a reluctant convert to Josh Groban's first CD, which eventually won me over by his extraordinary voice; he stands apart from most singers by the amazing sincerity with which he delivers his songs. 'Closer' has been harder to adjust to -- he is definitely taking steps away from the song choices of his debut CD. Some of the songs are moving on first hearing, but I've found most become much more beautiful on repeat hearings. There is no doubt that he has made enormous strides vocally, and lets loose on his top range, which is far stronger (and higher) than he showed before.

My favorite was 'Remember When It Rained', which I found very different from the rest of the album in structure and maturity - what a surprise to discover that he co-wrote it. I think this album can put to rest the fears that his talents may have been nothing more than music business opportunism. He has lost none of his impeccable phrasing and sincerity, he has moved in a much more mature direction (especially for such a young man), and shows a professionalism and commitment to his talents and to his music. An excellent, excellent cd.

139 of 162 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful, Fantastic Masterpiece in second album, November 12, 2003

By	Sheryl K. Wetmore "Music sooths the savage beast" (Mt. Airy, NC USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Josh's debut self-titled CD blew me away, and I waited what seems forever for his second. This set of recordings is more masterful and more beautiful than his first if that's possible. Each track takes my breath away and moves me to a higher plane.

Music has always been intertwined with my emotions and I think this album covers them all! As music sooths the savage beast in all of us, "Closer" has the ability to rise goose bumps on our souls and bring tears of joy for a voice that spans generations, for an artist who already should be listed as one of our great voices of all times....Just buy it...DO IT!