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
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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.
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Over the Rainbow — Mathis's rendition transforms this classic into a heartfelt declaration, showcasing both his emotional range and vocal prowess.
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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.
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
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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.
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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
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Come Fly with Me
Frank Sinatra
Shares the same lush orchestration and romantic themes, ideal for late-night listening.
Love Is the Thing
Nat King Cole
Features rich vocals and elegant arrangements that evoke nostalgia and romance.
Only You
Harry Connick Jr.
Captures a similar vibe of standards with a modern twist, focusing on love and longing.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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