Gavin DeGraw
by Gavin DeGraw
  • Record Label: J
  • Release Date: May 6, 2008
User Score
7.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 24 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 17 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 24
  3. Negative: 5 out of 24

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  1. AdrianC
    Jul 19, 2009
    8
    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 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.… Collapse
  2. ashleif
    Apr 1, 2009
    10
    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
  3. JohnD
    Sep 6, 2008
    5
    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 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?… Expand
  4. MonicaS
    Jul 26, 2008
    10
    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.
  5. jonathanm
    Jun 10, 2008
    10
    This was fantastic. Gavin's talent runs all through it.
  6. nathanm
    Jun 10, 2008
    10
    Wow. I went to one of his concerts and it was even better than this. You have to check him out.
  7. gregs.
    Jun 10, 2008
    10
    It truly is a great album. He deserves everything he gets. Coming from nowhere to somewhere.
  8. ErikM.
    May 12, 2008
    10
    Gavin's mix of soul, pop and rock is a perfect blend in his sophomore album. Although it is very similar to his first album, Gavin is sure to release another stripped album which will impress more and more people still to come.
  9. JoanS.
    May 10, 2008
    0
    Worst Album of the year! This Guy Can't Sing, can't write, he's awful, in everything. These days, everybody is "singer/songwriter", but just a few of them brings to us, new stuff, something fresh & great. Not This Guy, he's only another No Talented person, with a record Deal. Hey You, Male version of Ashlee Simpson, It won't be long for this album received Mixed Worst Album of the year! This Guy Can't Sing, can't write, he's awful, in everything. These days, everybody is "singer/songwriter", but just a few of them brings to us, new stuff, something fresh & great. Not This Guy, he's only another No Talented person, with a record Deal. Hey You, Male version of Ashlee Simpson, It won't be long for this album received Mixed Reviews. Sure, Some people will love it, but i hate it, I heard this thing 2 times, and i really hate it, nothing works, even his "hit" In Love With A Girl sucks. I Can't wait for the great singers bring them new material, because this sucks.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

75
#75 Most Shared Album of 2008

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 7 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. AllMusic
    50
    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
  2. Billboard
    80
    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
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    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]
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