Closer

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!


Well.   August 8, 2004
 14 out of 15 found this review helpful

After walking into a local records shop, I was struck by the beautiful music playing in the background and wondered who on earth the owner of this heavenly voice could be, whereupon I discovered Josh Groban. That record was his debut album, self-titled.
And since then I have thanked the day that I walked into that record shop and to the amusement of the cashier paid for whatever they were playing on the spot. Anyone who is familiar with his music will understand: if not, I will explain.
Josh Groban is one of those artists that seems to hold his own, that doesn't need publicity but carries his work with that indefinable majesty. Every song he sings he seems to know your emotions, seems to connect with them through the tones of his voice. For such a young voice to carry so much emotion is remarkable. Truly Remarkable.
So, after hearing the inspiring, sometimes simply heartbreaking and always BEAUTIFUL debut album, I was rather split. Did I buy the album CLOSER, which I craved just to hear new melodies being commanded by this voice, or did I not buy it and be safe with the debut - would it let the splendour of the first album down? Would his songs sink in to that usually inevitable repetitive genre, that does not inspire, that does not send a shiver up your spine repeatedly and a stirring in your stomach?
It was better than the debut album. That's something hard to beat.
Only a minute in was I to the first track, that I laughed out loud to the delightful feelings of inspiration the natural power and passion of Josh Groban's voice.
If you dear reader are strange to this true talent, then please drop any hesitation you may have. He is not another reeled off singer with an infuriating smirk and shake of the mouth, the only emotions present in the voice being one, of self-satisfaction. Josh Groban is a real vocalist who can play the strings of your emotions as the wonderful string players offering splendid, stunning, 'welling' backgrounds to this PROPER voice of an angel.
I've heard nothing like it.
As one 60 year old friend pointed out on my 16th birthday last night, where we had Josh Groban playing to the black tie garden dinner: "His voice makes me want to cry."
I think that says it all, do you not?



Josh returns, and all I can say is, great work.   December 1, 2003
 17 out of 19 found this review helpful

The headline of my review for this album says it all very quickly. The moment I heard that this was coming out, I almost literally felt my heart give a jump, and that says a lot. This was well worth the wait. That smooth baritone voice has improved with age (even though he's still just 23). This is every bit as good as his first CD, and I will be bold and say that I actually prefer this one to the first one.

Oceano- Reminiscent (to me) in spirit to "Alla Luce Del Sole". This is carried by lovely piano work with drums in places, buoyed by Josh's exquisite singing. This feels to me like a hymn or song of celebration, almost like a song of honor to the ocean, despite it's relatively quick pace.

My Confession- I LOVE this. It's my favorite piece on the CD in fact. Heavy on beautiful flamenco guitar, with nicely invigorating soft drums and a touch of gorgeous string work. Someone has tried to shut himself off from the power of love, and now must tell the woman he loves that he can no longer escape the power of the pangs for her that he carries in his heart and soul

Mi Mancherai - This is the theme from the movie, Il Postino. I did not see the film, nor do I speak Italian, but I like this song anyway. The combination of Josh's wonderful singing and Joshua Bell's lovely violin work produces a sure-fire winner.

Si Volvieras A Mi- This to me is in the same spirit as "Alejate" from his debut CD, but that's NOT a bad thing. It's great in fact, as I love that song too. I guess it's just that to me this one feels different somehow. I really like the melody in this song, and Josh's singing is, as always, first rate.

When You Say You Love Me- This one took a bit to grow on me, but it's lovely nonetheless. This is a gorgeous song, with a moving melody and a great set of lyrics. For all of us men out there, this is a song that tells the women in our lives just how much they really mean to us all. A great piece.

Per Te - Another beautiful Italian cut. Great job Josh. No matter the language, your voice still touches the heart of all but most jaded of listeners, and you've certainly touched MY heart with this one.

Al Improviso Amore- I LOVE the string work and the piano interplay with Josh's golden voice in this. The faster pace of this song in relation to the previous two cuts makes for a nice change. This melody and Josh's voice is invigorating to me here. Very invigorating.

Broken Vow- Yet another standout. A bitter lament of a love gone sour and the burning need to ask the question "Why?" Mixed in is the wish that the love once shared could be rekindled in all it's glory and the depths the singer would go to to make that happen if they could do it. For all who know the pain of losing someone they love to another, this strikes a chord.

Caruso- I like this song a lot, even though it took awhile to grow on me. That's probably because, in some places, it's sung faster than I've EVER heard Josh sing anything before. Still, it's a great song. The melodies and Josh's voice won me over rather quickly to this piece.

Remember When It Rained- Yet another tale of love remembered fondly after having gone sour for one reason or another. This one features lyrics and music written by Josh Groban himself and is very VERY nice indeed.

Hymne l'Amour - A very lovely French song. See my comment on languages in my listing for Per Te. Josh can touch a heart and soul, no matter what language he happens to be singing in.

You Raise Me Up - I LOVE the emotional feel of this piece. The choir vocals add a great touch. Josh's voice starts gently, as always, and then positively SOARS to reach the heavens. I only WISH this song had more verses to it. Still the melody and feel of the song, to me, make up for its lack of verses. It's still a great piece and it STILL managed to win me over. It does not detract from my love for the rest of this CD.

Never Let Go- A nice closing piece. The appearance of Deep Forest as guests here make this track different, and the most distinct cut on the CD. As always Josh's lovely voice carries it all and makes the piece a gem.

All told, Josh Groban has returned, and this CD packs an even stronger punch than his self-titled debut CD "Josh Groban". I cannot wait to see and hear what the future has in store, both for Josh Groban himself, and for us, all his fans out there. What a GIFT God has given this young man. At 23 years old, he has a dazzlingly bright future, and for all his fans, myself happily and gladly included in their numbers, it promises to be a great, hopefully MANY-year listening experience. Happy listening to all readers of this review, and God bless you and yours, always and forever. Peace.


A Lovely Sensitive Talent with Variety   April 12, 2004
 8 out of 8 found this review helpful

I first became captivated by this singer when he performed on Ally McBeal a couple of years ago. He is so unlike the typical, crass, loud, brassy singers of today, who perform on those television contests and all sound so alike. I am tired of those wavering voices that wobble all over the place when they sing - it seems to be a fad. I enjoy Josh Groban's pure, clear style MUCH more. He is sensitive, feels the songs, and even when he sings in a foreign language, I can tell what the song is about just by how he delivers the lyrics and the feeling he puts into it.


Just plainly and amazing compilation of hard work and talent   April 28, 2004
 8 out of 8 found this review helpful

I absolutely adore Josh because of his style, his voice, and his honesty. The passion he pours into his songs are so touching, and even without knowing a lot of Italian, Spanish, or French, the emotion is translated through his voice, the instrumentation, and the overall composition of the song.

Listening to Mi Mancherai is such an experience. The violin duet with Joshua Bell is such a great match. The two amazing talents make such an incredible duet. The violin alone moved me to tears. To add Josh's voice to that, made Mi Mancherai (translated, I will miss you) my favourite song on the album. Seeing Lucia perform this on stage with Josh is an experience in itself. It's just amazing.

Remember When It Rained is a very eerie but interesting song. The piano solo (of course performed by Josh himself) in the middle kind of caught me off guard, but I grew to like it much more with another listen. Overall, this song is just great!

You Raise Me Up is another favourite. The versatility of the song made it such a great hit with the general public, and is probably the driving force for people to buy the CD. It's such an inspirational piece that made me cry quite a few times, thinking of what the song meant to me. This song really relates to everyone who is loved and loves another.

Oceano is another haunting song. This was my immediate favourite, because of the tempo, the rhythms, and the overall feel of the whole vibe it brings. It's relaxing, and it's driving all at once. I really enjoy this one.

Overall, this CD is a staple in my collection. It's different from his first album, but in a good way. "Closer" does bring us closer to Josh's musical tastes, and it adds different flavours in different places, which is very refreshing from albums that are so consistantly repeating almost the same song over and over again. Buy Closer, Internet Version if you want four extra songs (Mi Morena, She's Out of My Life, You're the Only Place, and My December) and the DVD that comes with the other version they put out with the two extra songs... You won't regret it! I love this man, and I love this album!!!