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. 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

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.
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  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.
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  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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