Artist: Josh Groban

Album: Illuminations

Label: Reprise Records

On charts overrun by pop, rock, R&B, and country music performers, it's refreshing to note that Josh Groban—in essence a classical vocalist with some inspiring crossover hits ("You Raise Me Up," "Believe")—has sold well over 20 million albums in well under a decade.

But like a lot of 29-year-olds, he isn't ready to settle on one formula for success. Thus, Groban takes a risk on his fifth studio project, Illuminations, working for the first time with producer Rick Rubin whose credits range from Run DMC and Red Hot Chili Peppers to Johnny Cash and Neil Diamond. The result isn't as drastic as that pairing might suggest, but it does create a new vibe, what Groban calls "the rawness of an intimate folk record and the power and warmth of a classical record."

That folk side marks the biggest departure from previous efforts. Still backed by dozens of symphonic musicians on every track, and never without some level of theatrical formality in his baritone-meets-tenor voice, Groban does sound more personable on the wintry "Bells of New York City" (the LA native's new home) singing vulnerable lyrics about how "my thoughts undo me."

Likewise, his winning cover of Irish singer Declan O'Rourke's "Galileo (Someone Like You)"—a scientist's restless ode to love—is as much Paul Simon as it is Pavarotti. Groban also co-writes six tunes with Dan Wilson who helped pen the Dixie Chicks' 2007 Grammy-winning song of the year, "Not Ready to Make Nice." Among those, "Hidden Away" soars in celebration of the human spirit while "Higher Window" brings a bright spiritual air to an on-off relationship.

Longtime fans—a lot of them women—need not worry that Josh has strayed too far from the artistic approach that first made them swoon. His operatic range, emotional depth, and global relevance resound on "Voce Existe Em Mim (You Exist in Me)" [sung in Portuguese], "L'Ora Del Addio (Farewell Time)" [Italian], and "Au Jardin Des Sans Pourquoi (The Garden of Whys) [French]. A testament to his gift for crafting rich melodies, Groban was asked to write the latter song's music by Rufus Wainwright who had composed the lyrics with and in tribute to his late mother, Canadian folk singer Kate McGarrigle.

All told, Illuminations pushes Josh Groban's envelope without pushing anyone out of the way. Here's hoping this fine artistic expression will challenge and reward many types of music lovers.

 **This Review First Published Nov. 22, 2010