CD Review: Josh Groban's Noel

Before I start into this CD review, I need to get a few things out in the open. I love football. I drink beer on at least a semi-frequent basis, and I think boobs are a pretty good time. Now that you’re aware of the aforementioned details, I’d just like to say Josh Groban’s voice has the most soothing, angelic tone I have ever heard. I wish the calming timbre just followed me around on a loud speaker, whispering sweet nothings into my ears. Whenever I picture the Garden Of Eden, I see Adam, Eve, that damn snake, and Gabriel, plucking away on his harp, his voice channeling Josh Groban’s rangeless beauty.

Covering a laundry list of Christmas favorites, Josh Groban follows in the legendary footsteps of Frank Sinatra and Bing Crosby, treads over the same ground as above average performers like Mariah Carey, Chris Issac, and Vanessa Williams. Lending originality to songs which have been covered thousands of times is never an easy chore, and while Noel does occasionally stumble into that repetitive trap, Groban’s pitch-perfect voice buries those concerns under mounds of baby Jesus pleasing notes.

Unlike most blasphemers, I flagrantly ignore the ‘No Christmas Music Before Thanksgiving’ mantra, blasting a well-crafted fifty song mix on loop starting November 1st. Ordinarily, I refuse to tamper with the playlist after its been assembled, but I’ve already added Groban’s covers of “Silent Night”, “Angels We Have Heard On High”, and “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Nothing against his other renditions, I just need room for Cyndi Lauper and Bruce Springsteen.

Is Noel the greatest ode to Christmas ever sung? No, that would be the shepherd’s crooning right after Jesus was born, you idiots! But I’d like to think El Shaddai would be more than pleased with this effort. If you’re unsure of what to get your mother on the 25th, buy her this CD. I’ve never met a woman (maybe not even an honest man) who isn’t infatuated with Josh Groban. She won’t be disappointed.