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.

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!

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?

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!!!

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!!!