Awake [Bonus DVD]

Disc 1
1	Mai 4:35
2	You Are Loved (Don't Give Up) 4:48
3	Un Dia Llegara 4:17
4	February Song 5:12
5	L 'Ultima Notte 4:21
6	So She Dances 4:53
7	In Her Eyes 4:53
8	Solo por Ti 3:59
9	Now or Never 3:38
10	Un Giorno Per Noi (Romeo e Giulietta) 5:10
11	Lullaby 2:32
12	Weeping 4:45
13	Machine 4:55
14	Verita Bonus Track 3:59
15	Awake Bonus Track 5:11
Disc 2
1	Bonus Material Bonus Track / DVD

Barnes & Noble

Drawing on the gifts of artists like Dave Matthews and Five for Fighting's John Ondrasik, and enlisting talents as disparate as Herbie Hancock and Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Josh Groban reaches new heights with his third album, Awake. Groban's large cadre of fans have eagerly anticipated this follow-up to 2003's Closer, and Awake doesn't meddle with its predecessor's formula. Once again Groban is paired with hitmaking producer David Foster, and he assays a varied set of soaring, lyrical songs in number of languages, some written by Groban himself. The guest stars, while never overshadowing the young crooner, add both variety and the deft touch of experience -- on the pair of South Africa-inspired songs with Ladysmith Black Mambazo (one co-written by Matthews) and on the rhythmically incisive "Machine," with jazz great Hancock on keyboard. Groban tries his own hand at the piano on the expressive "February Song" (co-written by Ondrasik), while other instrumental flourishes, like the evocative Spanish guitar that opens "Un Día Llegará" and the cello solo on "Un Giorno Per Noi" (Nino Rota's Romeo and Juliet theme), provide colorful support for the singer's rich vocals. Groban is at his most inspirational in the single "You Are Loved (Don't Give Up)," offering comforting words for troubled souls, while the pair of extra tracks -- as well as a "making-of" DVD -- ought to supply Grobanites with enough bonus material to tide them over until the singer's next star turn. EJ Johnson

All Music Guide

Longtime fans of Josh Groban will be pleased to know that the vocalist's third studio album Awake features more of the polished, well-crafted and emotionally grand classical crossover pop he has become known for. In fact, the album is perhaps his most appealing and deviates little from his previous outings. Here we get a mix of original songs -- some co-written by Groban -- that trade between more classical/opera-oriented songs sung in Italian, and more pop-oriented songs in English. Interestingly, the tracks co-penned by Groban are some of the most compelling and showcase his knack for a kind of '60s Scott Walker baroque pop-meets-'80s Diane Warren adult contemporary vibe. This, however, brings up the only problem with Awake: as Groban's music has moved closer and closer to pop, the necessity of utilizing Italian becomes increasingly nebulous. Truthfully, barring any awkward translations, most of these songs would sound fine sung in English but generally come off as very good Italian pop songs. So despite being quite listenable from a mainstream pop point of view, the use of Italian is great for lending the album a sheen of pan-European classical regality, but in some ways limits the emotional impact of the songs to only those who understand Italian. None of this really matters, though, Groban's fans, who justifiably respond to his superb technique, silky tone and bedroom eyes. It doesn't hurt either that he's brought along some unexpected guests this time around in the African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo, who appear here on two tracks, as well as legendary jazz pianist Herbie Hancock, who shows up on the angular and half-funky "Machine." It's also great to hear Groban dig into an adaptation of "Un Giorno per Noi," Nino Rota's theme to Franco Zeffirelli's classic 1968 film Romeo and Juliet. The song, as Awake itself, is a grand collision of pop culture and co-opted classical themes from then and now, and perfectly embodies everything that has made Groban so successful. [The "special edition" CD/DVD version of Awake features a bonus DVD documentary of the making of the album as well as two bonus tracks.] Matt Collar

Billboard

On "Awake," Groban bounds forward via a handful of innovative collaborations.... "Awake" is a retail and artistic titan. Chuck Taylor

Los Angeles Daily News

Aficionados of classical-pop singer Groban's mellifluous voice will be impressed with his third album's skillfully made, richly varied set of new songs. Fred Shuster