Josh Groban
Illuminations
Release Date: Nov 15, 2010
Genre(s): Adult Contemporary, Vocal, Pop/Rock, Euro-Pop, Classical Crossover, Film Score, Vocal Pop, Classical Pop, Easy Listening
Record label: 143/Reprise
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Album Review: Illuminations by Josh Groban
Excellent, Based on 2 Critics
Based on rating B+
The pop-?classical crooner hired Rick Rubin to produce Illuminations, the follow-up to 2007?s zillion-selling Noël, but the result is no clumsy bad-boy makeover. In fact, if you can get past lyrics bloated with dark nights and winter moons, Illuminations might be Groban?s handsomest effort yet. ”Bells of New York City” raises goose bumps with a haunting melody, while ”Você Existe Em Mim” packs real percussive heat.
Opinion: Fairly Good
His magnificent tone and supple range shines thanks to Rick Rubin’s production. Chris Lo 2010 Of all pop’s odd couples, the recent partnership of renegade producer/Def Jam founder Rick Rubin and sprightly classico-pop vocalist Josh Groban might go down as one of the strangest. For UK listeners, Groban, whose multi-platinum US success has not quite translated on this side of the Atlantic, will be equally renowned for his instantly likeable guest appearance on Never Mind the Buzzcocks as his full-throated 2003 version of weepy anthem You Raise Me Up.
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