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.


Beautiful, Fantastic Masterpiece in second album   November 12, 2003
Sheryl K. Wetmore (Mt. Airy, NC USA)
139 out of 162 found this review helpful

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!


Josh returns, and all I can say is, great work.   December 1, 2003
John Rossi (Somers Point, NJ United States)
18 out of 20 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.


Well.   August 8, 2004
Laura (Wales)
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?