by Michael Bublé had been making music for several years before the release of his breakthrough album “It’s Time” in 2005. However, it was this sophomore studio effort that truly set the stage for the superstardom he would achieve in later years. While not an overnight success, “It’s Time” garnered Bublé significant commercial recognition, solidified his signature jazz-pop style, and received positive critical reception – all of which played an important role in propelling his career forward. Through examining the album’s sales, style, and reviews, we can see how “It’s Time” served as both a launching pad and stepping stone that established Bublé as a serious artist and set the stage for his future success.
Commercial Success and Growing Fanbase
Commercially, “It’s Time” was Bublé’s most successful album prior to his later blockbusters. While his 2003 self-titled debut had seen some success, particularly in his native Canada, “It’s Time” took his commercial profile to new heights. The album debuted at number 5 on the Canadian Albums Chart and was later certified 5x platinum by Music Canada, indicating sales of over 500,000 units in the country. It spent over a year on the chart, showcasing Bublé’s popularity and longevity with Canadian audiences.
Internationally, “It’s Time” also found significant success. It reached number 2 on the Australian Albums Chart and was certified platinum there. In the United Kingdom, it peaked at number 25 on the UK Albums Chart. This global recognition was crucial for Bublé as it helped expand his fanbase and name recognition beyond Canada. As he gained new listeners internationally, it established an eager audience hungry for more of his jazz standards interpretations – priming them for his later blockbuster albums.
The album also saw moderate success in the United States, reaching number 17 on the Billboard 200 albums chart. This US chart performance, while not huge, was still a step up from his self-titled debut and helped raise his profile stateside as well. The commercial achievements of “It’s Time,” especially in Canada, Australia, and the UK, were monumental for Bublé as they proved he had global hit potential and established a solid foundation of fans worldwide. This growing international fanbase would be instrumental in supporting his future album releases and tours.
Solidifying Bublé’s Signature Style
In addition to commercial success, “It’s Time” was also pivotal in solidifying the signature jazz-pop style that would define Bublé’s brand and set him apart from other artists. Much like his debut, the album featured Bublé’s smooth vocals interpreting classic American standards from the Great American Songbook. However, “It’s Time” represented an evolution and refinement of this concept.
The arrangements on “It’s Time” were slicker and more polished than his previous effort. Tracks like “Quando, Quando, Quando” and “Feeling Good” really highlighted Bublé’s ability to breathe new life into old songs while respecting their original forms. His vocal delivery and phrasing captured the emotion of the lyrics beautifully. The jazz influences were also more pronounced, with elements like trumpet solos and smoky club atmospheres featured prominently.
This evolved style, which blended jazz, pop, and classic songs, became synonymous with Bublé’s brand in the years following. Fans knew they could expect polished arrangements of timeless songs when they purchased a Bublé album. The formula worked, as evidenced by the commercial success of “It’s Time,” so he continued refining and relying on it. This signature sound not only appealed to fans but also helped Bublé gain credibility amongst jazz purists – a notoriously discerning group. By establishing his style, “It’s Time” allowed Bublé to confidently build upon it for future projects.
Positive Critical Reception
In addition to its commercial achievements, “It’s Time” was also well-received critically. Reviews praised Bublé’s vocal prowess and ability to reinvent classic material. AllMusic wrote that the album “finds Bublé fully inhabiting the role of a modern-day pop-jazz crooner.” They highlighted tracks like “Quando, Quando, Quando” and “Feeling Good” as highlights that “perfectly capture[d] Bublé’s smooth yet soulful singing.”
Other outlets, like Entertainment Weekly, commented on how the album balanced “straight-ahead jazz with contemporary pop arrangements” and showed Bublé’s “nuanced phrasing and emotional depth.” Even mainstream publications like Rolling Stone gave it positive nods, saying Bublé “breathes fresh life” into the American songbook. This positive critical reception was important for Bublé’s credibility as he transitioned from being just a talented singer to a serious artist in his own right.
The reviews also likely helped expose Bublé to new audiences outside his existing fanbase. Positive word of mouth from critics and publications could have turned casual music fans onto his work. This additional promotion may have contributed to the album’s commercial success. Most importantly, the reception demonstrated that Bublé had the vocal chops and artistic vision to make jazz standards relevant for a modern audience.
Legacy and Impact of “It’s Time”
Over a decade after its release, it’s clear that “It’s Time” played a pivotal role in Michael Bublé’s career trajectory and rise to superstardom. While not his breakout album commercially, it established Bublé as a truly global artist through significant sales in countries like Canada, Australia, and the UK. This growing international fanbase provided crucial early support. The album also solidified the signature jazz-pop sound Bublé would build his brand upon for years.
Most importantly, “It’s Time” demonstrated Bublé’s artistry through its polished arrangements and his emotive performances of classic songs. This, combined with its positive critical reception, gave Bublé credibility he wouldn’t have achieved with just a commercially successful album. The formula presented on “It’s Time” – blending jazz, standards, and a modern sensibility – clearly resonated with both fans and critics. Bublé had found his niche.
In the years following its release, Bublé would continue refining and expanding upon this signature style. Albums like 2006’s “Caught in the Act” and 2011’s massively successful “Christmas” showed his evolving abilities. They took the foundation laid by “It’s Time” and built multi-platinum successes. In this way, “It’s Time” served as both a launching pad that proved his potential and a stepping stone that he was able to grow from artistically. Without achieving the recognition it did, Bublé’s path to becoming a global superstar may have been much different. For these reasons, “It’s Time” remains an underappreciated yet pivotal work in Michael Bublé’s storied career.
