#Cd josh groban illuminations free#

Perhaps, given time, he will begin to write songs worthy of his voice. If Rubin managed to find the core of Groban, it’s a sad fact that what remains after the layers have been removed is an incredible vocalist and a one-note songwriter. It’s telling that the only song that lyrically resonates is an effective imitation of Nick Cave’s embattled romanticism on a cover of Straight to You. And the lyrics (sample: 'The sweetest feeling I've got inside/ I just can't wait to get lost in your eyes') will make most listeners pine for the album’s foreign-language interludes.

Almost every track follows a swelling, strings-akimbo pattern that reduces the tracklist to a melange of cartoon melodrama, akin to any number of Disney musicals or Les Mis knock-offs. Illuminations represents the first time Groban has co-written the majority of an album, and on this evidence, the singer-songwriter mantle is an ill fit. 12 London Hymn Lyrics 13 Straight to You Lyrics About Illuminations Illuminations Q&A What is the most popular song on Illuminations by Josh Groban When did Josh Groban release. From the wistful ruminations of Bells of New York City to Hidden Away’s romantic bombast, Groban's throat bends from baritone to tenor without any signs of strain, maintaining its caramel richness throughout.īut while the stripping-back process rightly shines a spotlight on Groban's powerhouse voice, it also mercilessly exposes his lack of songwriting experience.

Although nine years have passed since the LA-born singer's eponymous debut, his voice still emanates power tempered by impeccable control. As expected, Groban's vocals have been pushed to the very forefront of the tracks, where his magnificent tone and supple range can truly shine. If this was the objective on Illuminations, the duo has achieved somewhat mixed results. Rubin taking the production reins of Groban's latest album, Illuminations, could be seen either as evidence of a young artist's yearning for serious credibility, or as more proof of a veteran producer's penchant for the eccentric.Īfter his production work for the likes of the Beastie Boys, Slayer and especially Johnny Cash, Rubin has earned a reputation for stripping back layers to expose his artists' core appeal. 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. ILLUMINATIONS features the single 'Hidden Away'.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. Music Reviews: Illuminations by Josh Groban released in 2010. From those sessions, orchestrations were crafted by David Campbell for nine songs and James Newton-Howard for two, while Brazilian great Carlinhos Brown created the dynamic setting for 'Voce Existe Em Mim (You Exist in Me)' in his Bahia home, including the power of an all-girl drum corps - the only drums on the album. Most of the recordings were done live in a casual setting with Groban playing piano and singing alongside acoustic guitarists Matt Sweeney and Smokey Hormel and, one some songs, iconic organist Spooner Oldham. Groban teamed with singer/songwriter Dan Wilson (former leader of Semi sonic) on most of the songs.

#Cd josh groban illuminations free#

Fittingly, the results both defy and exceed any possible expectations as each of the collaborators stepped out of his zone and together created an entirely new zone, one where folk meets classical, where art meets intimacy, where immediacy meets timelessness and where, most importantly, Groban was free to express himself more fully, more truly than ever before. It seems no one knew what to expect when Josh Groban teamed with super-producer Rick Rubin for the singer's fifth album, ILLUMINATIONS - least of all Groban and Rubin.