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Zero 7
Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
Gavin DeGraw
Mixed or average reviews
Based on 7 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 17 votes
Read user comments
Rate this album >
Album Info
Label: J
Release Date: 06 May 2008
Discs: 1 disc
Genre(s): Rock, Singer-Songwriter, Pop
Summary
The sophomore studio album for the artist best known for the theme song from the TV series "One Tree Hill."
Also By This Artist: Free
Also On The Web: Official Artist Site
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
Billboard
On his sophomore album--the follow-up to 2003's slow-building platinum smash "Chariot"--Gavin DeGraw deftly weaves together rock, pop and soul influences without letting the seams show.
Read Full Review >Boston Globe
While there is a darker sensibility thanks to a larger quotient of guitars than pianos this time out, there are also fewer immediate standouts.
Read Full Review >Entertainment Weekly
For every tune like 'In Love With a Girl,' which summons the addictive melodies and rich, discordant chords of "Chariot," there's a self-indulgent snoozer such as 'Medicate the Kids.' [9 May 2008, p.63]
The New York Times
He makes a concerted effort to fill out and roughen up his sound, enlisting the modern-rock producer Howard Benson and an accompanying coterie of seasoned studio musicians. The results don’t suggest reinvention so much as a slight twist.
Read Full Review >All Music Guide
Gavin DeGraw won't change things, either, as it pretty much offers more of the same as "Chariot," polishing up the sound, turning it into something bigger and slicker, but not changing his vaguely rootsy, vaguely soulful pop a whit.
Read Full Review >Rolling Stone
It's perfect mood music for teen girls and the sensitive guys who want to hold their purses.
Read Full Review >Hot Press
Certain artists are blessed with the ability to say something poignant and meaningful with their music. On the evidence of this eopnymous record, Gavin DeGraw is not one of them.
Read Full Review >What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this album is 8.6 (out of 10) based on 17 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Adrian C gave it an8:
Gavin does have talent. Major talent, in my opinion. This CD may only show that in sprinkles but when Gavin really tries he's an excellent songwriter. The problem I have with this album is the choruses are all anthem-ic and it wears on you after a while (except for the ballads/slow songs). In Love With A Girl, Relative and Let It Go are the highlights. This is probably his worst album but 8/10 is far from a bad score. It's just that Free was a little better and Chariot was by far his pinnacle.
ashlei f gave it a10:
Gavin Degraw is a phenomenal vocalist who effortlessly glides through his lyrical genius. He should be praised for soulful voice on top of his elton john styled compositions
John D gave it a5:
Gavin DeGraw is the closest thing to taking a Jonas Brother and trying to teach him to be Stevie Wonder off of a handful of piano lessons. His new album is not bad at all. I'd like to see him try something complicated with his playing ability. Everyone knows he can do that male Mariah Carey bs with his voice already. Let's see him write a song like Angry Young Man from Billy Joel or Funeral for a Friend/Love Lies Bleeding from Elton John. Then, I'll be impressed. So far, his piano playing is limited to playing one chord every 4 beats like every other typical pop piano player. His songwriting themes seem to be mainly love songs too much. He's good at it, but there's only so many times you can hear a song about a girl without asking "is that it? What else"? If he used some of his wit and sneakily got on as an opener for Coldplay, I think he would win over a bigger audience. Also, he needs to be marketed more. For as many girls scream for the guy, he appears to be undermarketed. How many times have you seen a person wearing a Gavin t shirt?
Monica S gave it a10:
Finally a genuine artist amongst all the "plastic"...great voice, and great songs. Even his covers of Marvin Gaye and Phil Collins (not on the album, can find them online) are amazing...this guy is truly talented and down-to-earth. A gem amongst the pigeons.
jonathan m gave it a10:
This was fantastic. Gavin's talent runs all through it.
nathan m gave it a10:
Wow. I went to one of his concerts and it was even better than this. You have to check him out.
greg s. gave it a10:
It truly is a great album. He deserves everything he gets. Coming from nowhere to somewhere.
