| Closer | 
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| Artist: Josh Groban
Label: Reprise / Wea
Category: Music
List Price: $18.98
Buy Used: $3.03
You Save: $15.95 (84%)
New (58) Used (63) Collectible (1) from $3.03
Avg. Customer Rating:  594 reviews
Sales Rank: 288
Format: Enhanced
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.4
MPN: 48450
UPC: 093624845027
EAN: 0093624845027
ASIN: B0000CFW87
Release Date: November 11, 2003
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Condition: Complete with original case, disc(s), and artwork. In stock and ships right now. 10% chance the case has small spider cracks in it.
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| Tracks:
| • | Oceano | | • | My Confession | | • | Il Postino (Mi Mancherai) | | • | Si Volvieras a Mi | | • | When You Say You Love Me | | • | Per Te | | • | All Improvviso Amore | | • | Broken Vow | | • | Caruso | | • | Remember When It Rained | | • | Hymne a l'Amour | | • | You Raise Me Up | | • | Never Let Go |
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| 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
Album 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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 589 more reviews...
 This follow-up album exceeded my expectations............... November 17, 2003
270 out of 293 found this review helpful
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.
 Beautiful, Fantastic Masterpiece in second album November 12, 2003
137 out of 160 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!
Truly Beautiful, But.... December 4, 2003
51 out of 71 found this review helpful
I think this is a very wonderful CD. Josh's singing is gorgeous, and even though it is over produced at times, it is well worth having and sharing with others.
I cannot understand why there are no translations for the songs in Italian, Spanish and French. The liner notes are difficult to read and provide inconsistent information that is at best confusing. Considering the careful attention paid to all other aspects of the production of this CD, I find this missing detail to be very odd.
A true musician November 14, 2003
22 out of 22 found this review helpful
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.
Heaven on Earth July 6, 2004
20 out of 24 found this review helpful
After begging and begging for months, I finally received Josh's album "Closer" for my birthday. I was not disappointed. In fact, his cd hasn't left my cd player since I first put it in. Right away, I knew I was in for a treat. The first track, "Oceano" took my breath away and made me cry. It is sung with such passion, such emotion, and through the depths of his rich baritone chords comes a longing not capable of being expressed by any other than Josh Groban's voice. He is rich, enchanting, melodic, and romantic in the songs "Mi Mancherai," "Si Volvieras a Mi," and "Remember When it Rained". I honestly can't choose a favorite, because they are all sung with such feeling and passion. I have never heard a voice like this, and I have listened to many an "artist" who thinks they can sing. None surpasses the gloriousness and passion of this man's voice. It truly does feel like heaven on earth.If you can, I highly recommend getting the Limited Edition version of the "Closer" cd. It has two bonus tracks (4 if you buy the Internet Only version) that are well worth the extra money, as well as a 20 minute "behind the scenes" DVD showing footage of different photo shoots and some questions and interviews. It also lets you see a little more into Josh's charming personality and proves that he is not a fake or pop star clone. This guy is original, one-of-a-kind, and I know he will be in the music scene for many years to come. I am forever a Grobanite and I love you Josh!!!
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