So what if Michael Buble [ tickets ] is still--what?--8 years old, maybe? The kid proved two years ago with the release of his self-titled debut that he's got the vocal chops to knock the snot out of just about every powder-blue-tuxedoed lounge singer in Las Vegas.

Likewise, this full-length follow-up should be a knockout punch to all the other young contenders who aspire to Frank Sinatra's throne. That's not to say that Buble is Blue Eyes-worthy on everything here. There are some rough patches here and there, notably a misguided attempt at the sugary Marvin Gaye-classic "How Sweet It Is." But there's far more to cheer than to jeer, including particularly good versions of "Quando Quando Quando" and "Save the Last Dance for Me."

Buble, who is actually 29, exhibits the guts to match his mighty talent on "It's Time." For example, "Feeling Good" is a tune that probably should have been retired after Nina Simone spun her magic on it. But Buble tackles that tough piece with determination and the result, like much of the rest of album, is simply glorious.