Closer
Josh Groban · 2003
77 min · 19 tracks · pop music
A sweeping blend of classical and contemporary pop, showcasing Groban's powerful tenor against lush orchestral arrangements.
Top tracks — play these first
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Oceano Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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You Raise Me Up — This track became synonymous with Groban's career, blending emotional depth with inspirational themes that resonated widely in both popular culture and personal moments.
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Broken Vow — With its poignant lyrics and heartfelt delivery, this song highlights Groban's ability to convey vulnerability through his powerful vocal performance.
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My Confession — This track showcases Groban's rich vocals paired with a haunting melody, encapsulating the album's overarching theme of love and longing.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Groban's powerful vocals are supported by lush arrangements, creating a strong but somewhat conventional pop-classical blend.
What we noticed
- The first half of the album features predominantly mid-tempo ballads, while the second half introduces more varied tempos and styles.
- Several tracks incorporate orchestral arrangements that swell dramatically, particularly in the choruses, enhancing Groban's vocal delivery.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- long immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
- contemplative late-night moods
- layered dense sonic textures
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This album solidified Groban's reputation with hit singles and multi-platinum status.
- Career context
- When 'Closer' was released in August 2003, Josh Groban was already on the rise following his self-titled debut album from 2001. This sophomore effort solidified his status as a leading figure in the crossover classical-pop genre, featuring collaborations with notable composers and producers that expanded his artistic reach.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Andrea Bocelli· Il Divo· Katherine Jenkins
Tracklist
Disc 1
- 1 Oceano Start here 4:03
- 2 My Confession 4:56
- 3 Mi Mancherai (Il Postino) 6:05
- 4 Si Volvieras A Mi 4:19
- 5 When You Say You Love Me 4:32
- 6 Per Te 4:17
- 7 All'Improvviso Amore 3:39
- 8 Broken Vow 4:35
- 9 Caruso 5:07
- 10 Remember When It Rained 4:42
- 11 Hymne à l'Amour 4:05
- 12 You Raise Me Up 4:50
- 13 Never Let Go (feat. Deep Forest) 3:55
- 14 Mi Morena 4:39
- 15 She's Out of My Life 3:46
- 16 You're the Only Place 4:55
- 17 My December 5:02
Disc 2
- 1 The Making Of Closer
- 2 Documentary
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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