Josh Groban is only 22 and not yet out of school, but he's already released his second CD on a major label. One listen will tell you why--this young man has a truly remarkable voice. He packs a studied emotional wallop on CLOSER, a dramatic offering with operatic ambiance, produced by mentor David Foster.

"Oceano" and "My Confession" show off the singer's dramatic range. (If this guy isn't performing in Broadway musicals, he should be.) He manages a beautiful vocal take of Bacalov's "Il Postino" with a little help from classical violin virtuoso Joshua Bell. And he flexes his songwriting muscle with a couple of co-written originals: "Per Te" and "Remember When It Rains."

Melodramatic throughout, this is not teen party music. It is achingly beautiful, powerful vocal talent showcased with understated intelligence. It will be fascinating to see how Josh Groban matures as an artist over time; his voice is already there.