Isn't It Romantic: The Standards Album cover

Isn't It Romantic: The Standards Album

Johnny Mathis · 2005

39 min · 10 tracks · pop music

A lush collection of romantic standards, showcasing Johnny Mathis's smooth vocals and timeless arrangements.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Isn't It Romantic Start here — This iconic opening track perfectly encapsulates the album's theme of love and longing, delivered with Mathis's signature warmth and clarity.
  • →
    Over the Rainbow — Mathis's rendition transforms this classic into a heartfelt declaration, showcasing both his emotional range and vocal prowess.
  • →
    Cottage for Sale — The melancholic storytelling in this track reveals Mathis's ability to convey deep emotion through his interpretations, highlighting the lyrical depth of standard repertoire.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

51 /100
Foothills
Higher than 34% of albums we've rated

The album showcases Mathis's vocal strengths within lush arrangements, maintaining a consistent mood and solid craftsmanship.

What we noticed

  • The album features lush orchestral arrangements that support Mathis's vocal delivery, with strings and woodwinds prominent throughout.
  • Each track maintains a slow to mid-tempo pace, creating a consistent mood across the album.
  • Mathis's vocals are front and center, often employing a smooth legato style that emphasizes emotional delivery.
  • Several tracks include subtle variations in instrumentation, such as the use of piano or guitar, but the overall sound remains cohesive.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
8/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. 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

  • steady melodic journey throughout
  • romantic ambiance for intimate settings
  • elegant orchestrations for relaxation
  • nostalgic tunes for reflective moments
  • for evening gatherings

Maybe skip if you

  • fast-paced energetic listening
  • experimental sound exploration

Where this album fits

In the catalog
Late Career Highlight — Showcases Mathis's enduring appeal with classic standards in his later career.
Career context
By the time of this release in 2005, Johnny Mathis was already a celebrated figure in pop music, known for his romantic ballads since the 1950s. 'Isn't It Romantic: The Standards Album' marked his return to classic standards after a long period focused on original material and contemporary hits.
Stylistic neighbors
Perry Como· Frank Sinatra· Nat King Cole

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

  • Over the Rainbow

    The shift from yearning for an idealized place to expressing vulnerability creates a poignant contrast in the narrative.

    This structural choice deepens the emotional impact, moving beyond mere nostalgia to touch on themes of hope and longing.

Tracklist

  • 1 Isn't It Romantic Start here 3:45
  • 2 Love Is Here to Say 4:41
  • 3 Day by Day 2:40
  • 4 Dindi 4:10
  • 5 Theres a Kind of Hush 4:12
  • 6 This Cant Be Love 2:52
  • 7 Cottage for Sale 5:15
  • 8 Almost Like Being in Love 3:39
  • 9 The Rainbow Connection 3:40
  • 10 Over the Rainbow 4:52

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata