There’s nothing Mama Scogs likes better than donning her fluffy robe, kicking back with a glass of chardonnay and rocking out to Josh Groban. With an undeniably powerful voice, massive orchestral backing, and Hallmark–ready lyrics, he certainly appeals to a large audience. Yet, beyond his angelic pipes, there is little compelling material in the largely predictable "All That Echoes." The high production value is impressive, but there is a noticeable lack of feeling to the ethereal instrumentation. Not even covers of Stevie Wonder, “Falling Slowly” from "Once," or a Spanish ballad can stave off the formulaic shallowness of the effort. Josh Groban has a massively loyal fan base and this album will fly off shelves. I’ll be buying it too-—for Mother’s Day.
Letter Grade: B-
Sounds best when: You're trying to seduce the Italian exchange student with a home-cooked meal of chicken parmesan and garlic bread.
99–cent download: "E ti Promettero" featuring Laura Pausini
