“To Be Loved” is the eighth studio album from Canadian pop star Michael Buble. It’s full of Buble’s standard mix of big band crooner tunes and adult contemporary pop-rock.

The album features many fun and interesting covers, including a swinging “You Make Me Feel So Young,” a soulful “Have I Told You Lately that I Love You” with a capella group Naturally 7, a surprisingly romantic “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” and a lightly orchestral “Young at Heart.”

Buble co-wrote three of the 14 tracks, including lead single “It’s a Beautiful Day.” This fun song starts out with a guitar solo and features a steady trap set and piano throughout. The singable and catchy tune has a tongue-in-cheek message that is best relayed through its lyrics: “You won’t hear this boy complaining/‘Cause I’m glad that you’re the one that got away/It’s a beautiful day.” “It’s a Beautiful Day,” while a solid single, is missing a special something found in “Haven’t Met You Yet,” Buble’s most recent No. 1 on the Adult Contemporary charts .

The main trouble with “To Be Loved” is that it lacks risk, a trait not considered troubling to many of Buble’s fans. There is nothing bold or daring about this album; each song is carefully crafted and arranged not to make a statement or push the envelope but to showcase Buble’s honey-smooth voice.

The only thing one might find offensive on “To Be Loved” is the occasional risque lyric. Mildly scandalous examples are found in “Come Dance With Me”(“And what is dancing/But making love, set to music”) and “I Got It Easy”(“I don’t mind it a bit, all this cold rainy evening/I’m warm in bed, got a beautiful woman beneath me”).

By far, the most unique track on “To Be Loved” is “Close Your Eyes,” ironically a love song which soothingly states “You’re never going to have to cry/Because you’re one of a kind.” This ballad, co-written by Buble, is a stripped-down song, featuring simple strings and piano throughout much of the song.

In “Close Your Eyes,” Buble successfully shows a softer, gentler side of his voice. This track is a breath of fresh air on an album full of showstoppers and crooner standards.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars