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

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.

They are calling it Neo-classical. It's the classically trained voice, singing with some "pop" quality, and singing newer compositions including modern instruments.

Josh Groban has a fabulous singing voice, and the selection of songs on this recording is nearly flawless. I love the fact that he is helping to bridge the gap between "pop" and "art" musics.

Some night long ago, I was watching television and the commercial for this cd came on - Groban was singing "Oceano" throughout and, simple as that, I was addicted. Though filled with songs that are in Italian, French, and some other languages I can't reasonably understand the lyrics in given my history with language classes, I love the cd.
Any fan of Groban's will love this CD, and songs like "Remember when it Rained" will draw in a new round of fans.

This CD is wonderful. There isn't a song on it that I dislike. Every song is topnotch. I would highly recommend this album to anyone who would like a near heaven experience.

Got this CD for my wife for Valentine's day and she absolutely loves it. If you are a Josh Groban fan, this one's for you.

Great songs and beautiful music....his voice is full of passion and magic...classic style...It would be even better if it had more selection of English songs in this CD...Can't understand the lyrics of many songs, but I do love his voice and the wonderful music.