CD Title: Awake
Genre(s): Pop/Rock/Classical/Electronic/World
Your
own words on why you're recommending this CD: I am known as a
music junkie, I am also known for my strange taste inmusic (Death Cab
For Cutie, Evanescence, Imogen Heap, Coldplay, Train, Flyleaf, Bjork,
Linkin Park, Sting, Phil Collins, and Dave Matthews Band among others)
Even with this information, I still get strange looks, when I say that
Josh Groban is one of my favorite artists. Maybe it's the whole "opera
singer" stereotype he has gotten? So anyways on with my review. I guess
that maybe I should tell you what my favorite songs are:
Mai- I love the buildup, he starts out soft, like he is gently
explaining to the person why they are breaking up, telling them that he
is tired of the way he is feeling, tired of feeling empty. However, the
gentleness leaves when the chorus kicks in:
"Mai...... credero ( Never....will
I
believe)
Mai...... ci cadro ( Never....will I fall)
In queste false emozioni (Into these fake emotions)
Dove non c'e pieta (Where there is no compassion)
Mai cerchero ( Never will I search for)
La verita dentro un sogno ( The truth inside a dream)
Il nostro sogno ( Our dream)"
I love the chorus, you can feel the frustration, anger, and longing he
is feeling. The rest of the song is very much like the chorus, an
emotional roller coaster. This has to be one of his most "honest" songs.
In Her Eyes-I won't go into detail about this song too much. Any man
who is willing to admit the following deserves major props.
"I am not a hero
I am not an angel
I am just a man
Man who’s trying to love her
Unlike any other
In her eyes I am"
A bonus with this song, is that you can hear him play the drums.
Machine-If you thought "Never Let Go" was pushing the envelope, well
you're wrong. I like this song because, it kind of gives you a sense of
how Josh views some people (He did write this one). He talks about how
there are some people in this world, who just go through life, just
going through the motions, and not feeling anything. He also talks
about how he feels like he is during all the feeling for them. Also
having Herbie Hancock play on this track doesn't hurt either.
Now Or Never- One of the many reasons I like this song is that Imogen
Heap, helped with the writing and producing. Once again there is the
theme of losing love:
"And it’s no one’s fault
There’s no black and white
Only you and me
On this endless night
And as the hours run away
With another life
Oh, darling can't you see
It’s now or never?
It’s now or never"
The metaphors in this song are nothing short of brilliant, and Imogen's
production on this is amazing. Even though it's not in the credits, I
have a feeling she did backing vocals.
Awake-This song appears on the special edition of Awake. Which you can
get off i-tunes. Without fail, this song always makes me cry. Josh
wrote this as a love song for his family, telling them how he cherishes
the time he has with them, how he wants to make every moment count,
because he knows it won't last forever. This song is probably, the one
I have related to most, right now I'm a junior in high school, and
thoughts of going to college, getting a job, and moving away from the
people I love, are looming me over me. This song has caused me to
really sit down and think about the future, I know things will have to
change, I will have to let go of somethings, and some people, but one
thing, that no one will take away from me is the ones I love.
"So keep me awake to memorize you
Give me more time to feel this way
We can't stay like this forever
But I can have you next to me today"
With this album, I think most of us get more of an understanding of who
Josh is, much more than Closer. In this album, he puts himself out
more, takes risks, and gives us more of his aspect on life and love. I
can honestly say that none of you will regret buying this album, it has
something for everyone, and you won't be stuck feeling one emotion
after, like some albums do. All I have left to say is prepare, to hear
a new side of Josh.
-Katy (DMBANGEL)