Herbie Hancock, Josh Groban - Awake
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Music Reviews of Awake
Music Review: A bit disappointed this time....
Rating: 3 Stars
First off, I want to say that I am a big Josh Groban fan, but I must admit I was a bit disappointed with this CD. While there are certainly some decent songs on this cd, they are, overall, mediocre by comparison to the songs on JOSH GROBAN and CLOSER: "You are Loved" is a decent, but doesn't compare to the richness of "Remember When it Rained". I find myself listening to "In her Eyes" over and over again, and I like "Now or Never," but despite the fact that I enjoy these songs, I still feel like his previous offerings are superior to this one.
Aside from inferior song choices, I feel that his voice was a bit strained in places or too straight-forward where a bit more soul would have been appropriate, like in "Weeping".
I think my biggest gripe is that the songs just don't mesh well with each other. In some places they downright clash. Perhaps it would have worked better if the more classical-sounding songs were on one cd and the more new-age-sounding songs were on another, ala Ben Harper's Both Sides of the Gun.
Overall, though, I would buy this CD again, but I would skip the internet only edition. The bonus tracks are nothing to double the price over, not like they were with CLOSER, anyway.
Music Review: his best yet...
Rating: 5 Stars
I got this cd for christmas, and popped it in. The first listen through it was pleasant enough...and then i just had the urge to just keep it playing over and over and over. I put it on my ipod, and his album goes with me everywhere. I find in listening to his other cds along with this, that it is a departure for him. It displays a lighter touch with the instruments than his other two do. His voice is clearer, and he displays a wider range in his singing. There is not a song that would skip over, though I am particularly in love with the songs, "In Her Eyes" and "Now or Never". I usually find that I like his songs sung in other languages better, such as "Si Volvieras a Mi" or "All Improviso Amore", from Closer, but the opposite is true. The non-English music is much like a security blanket on this album, and I do not mean that in a derogatory way at all. I am a fan of acapella, so the fact that he sounds fantastic with little backup is great. I particularly think that his collaborations are great, especially "Lullaby" with Ladysmith Black Mambazo. For those who want a remake of his last albums, you will be disappointed. But if you would like to hear a phenomenal album from a phenomenal vocalist, this is the album for you.Music Review: I love this... better than his earlier ones
Rating: 5 Stars
Ive been slogging through the earlier reviews before me, and I think there might be something wrong with me as I preferred this Awake compared with Closer or the debut cd. I have loved this cd from the first note, whereas I had to listen to multiple times before I liked the other ones.
I am lucky enough to discover the CD/DVD combo in one of the JB hifi stores here in Melbourne and it's nice to see how Josh interacts with everyone around him. He seems so laid back, and I guess that translates to the music he does. The joy of doing what he wants and having enough status to go his own way must be really rewarding. The two bonus tracks of Verita and Awake are also more than worth the extra cost. So even though Ive already purchased the whole album from iTunes i still went ahead and bought the CD and so far no regrets.
My favorites are 'So She Dances" & 'In her eyes'. Both are just so emotion filled. Hopefully more people would enjoy this release on its own merit and stop comparing it with his other cd's. Wouldnt it be a dull world if every song Josh'd make is all just like 'You're still you'? I for one wouldnt care for that!
Music Review: Not QUITE as good last the previous ones
Rating: 4 Stars
Groban's voice is flawless & heavenly as usual. I just didn't get as many tingling sensations listening to this one as the previous ones. It's still great - don't get me wrong! As with most albums, regardless of the genre, I find myself skipping at least one or two songs. I found myself doing this more often on this release when compared to the debut and sophmore releases. He still displays his talent & range beautifully, both vocally & in song-writing ability.
I AM glad he didn't do as much experimentation in this one as in previous releases (adding techno sounding keyboards/fading vocals, etc). According to one of his interviews he was trying to put a new sound & modernization into this kind of vocalization. I applause his attempt but I still preferred the traditional string or piano accompaniment. I also firmly believe that those who don't appreciate this kind of music will not change their minds regardless of how many keyboards & sound bending effects to your song. If I had to rate the albums so far I'd have to say: Closer is the best, Josh Groban 2nd & Awake 3rd. I STILL LOVE JG!
Music Review: Buy the SPECIAL EDITION....
Rating: 3 Stars
Okay, why the title (and one of the best) tracks "Awake" was omitted from the regular release is a huge mystery to me?
Groban experiments on his latest CD with the likes of Herbie Hancock ("Machine"), Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Vusi Mahlasela ("Lullaby" and "Weeping.") Considering that Groban can sing the phonebook and hold your attention, these songs really don't work for him.
"You are Loved" (Don't Give Up) is a gooey but catchy anthem and all the foreign language material is everything you would expect from Groban. The standouts from this his third release are "February Song" and "So She Dances." These songs prove less is definitely better in vocal arrangement.
In a shrewd marketing move, the best song, "Awake" is a bonus track relegated to a special edition CD/DVD release. It's worth the extra cash to buy this version and get this amazing song along with another track "Verita."
Groban is working hard to find his way into the mainstream music market. His dedicated audience will appreciate this effort but "Awake" will do little to win over new fans.