Customer Reviews

Drive

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This cd is AMAZING...i love every song, they are about real relationships and the feelings when you are in them, not about hooking up with people and getting drunk like songs of many popular singers. I cant say i dislike one song on this cd but some really GREAT ones are Don't Give Up On Me, Cigarette, and First Week. Just for the record they are crazy AWESOME in concert.

I first heard Graham Colton Band at a Counting Crows concert this summer. And the second GCB started playing, I loved their music. Of course compared to seasoned music artists like Counting Crows, Graham Colton Band still has room to grow. They sound similar to Wallflowers, but a little less bluegrass. It's almost like Wallflowers meets Maroon 5. I will admit that the first time around their songs sound a bit similar. But let their cd run a few times in your player and you'll gradually pick up on these small nuances that'll make you love their sound. I think they are a nice change to all the one hit wonder pop stars that are on the radio now. Their songs have such meaning and the lyrics are truly very well written. If you love Counting Crows or the Wallflowers, I'm positive that you will also love Graham Colton Band.

If you are a fan of roots rock a la the Counting Crows, Goo Goo Dolls and The Gin Blossoms, you'll likely find much to like in the Graham Colton Band's debut Drive. The album is neither groundbreaking nor especially innovative, but it delivers a spate of well written and well played songs, filled with jangly guitars, catchy hooks and earnest lyrics from charismatic nice-guy frontman Colton, all produced in the vein of the popular roots-rock bands of the 1990s.

But unlike the melancholy Counting Crows and the somewhat oblique and dark Goo Goo Dolls, the Graham Colton Band delivers music that is mostly earnest, eager, and youthful. Most of the album's lyrics are straightforward and direct -- such as the chorus of First Week: "The first time that we slept with the light on / And the sun's coming up and you woke up on the floor/ Everything that you feel that you can't describe / Why can't it be like the first week?" -- and they deal with the normal ups and downs of young adulthood. Colton also veers from the often tortured stylings of his influences to sing in a voice that, though still introspective, plays as far more friendly and light.

Highlights of the album include the irresistably catchy "First Week" and "Don't Give Up on Me." "All the World Tonight" is great, slower song about growing up, and "Cigarette" is just fun. Overall, the band has produced an enjoyable album that captures the confusing but exciting transition from youth and adulthood.

This CD is infectious. Joining an established genre, the music of Graham Colton is similar to The Wallflowers, The Smithereens and The Gin Blossoms (you get the point). Their latest album, Drive, is one of my favorite albums right now. I heartily recommend it for driving, traveling and parties.

Their front man, Graham Colton (who writes their songs, I'm told) is a pleasant, non-threatening fellow who is sure to gain approval from mothers and their teenage daughters. His lyrics are mostly about (what else) love and relationships in a college setting. The 3rd track titled "First Week", for example, tells of the range of intense emotions that people go through in the first week of a new romance. It's a touching reminder for this 37 year old of just how fun those younger years were.

These guys are good. They've been recently traveling with Kelly Clarkson, and before that they were the opening act for the Dave Matthews Band and others. Their music is pop-rock with an edgy (although melodic) sound. They use good dynamics, the chord progressions are catchy (and original, thank goodness) and the melodies are easy to remember and sing along with. They are able to incorporate pulsy, upbeat melodies with an occasional minor chord to bring out the emotion in a song. I like that. It shows Graham's skill as a songwriter.

The arrangements are mostly good. However, in spots they begin to sound more like a group of sessioneers than an established rock band. I hope in succeeding albums the guys will get a producer who can help them evolve from a garage band to a more mature, full sound.

That being said, I heartily recommend Drive. It's rare that I can listen to a CD without pushing the "Fwd" button to the next track. Good job guys. Listen to what I said about getting another producer.

"Don't Give Up On Me" 4/5
"Since You Broke It" 5/5
"First Week" 4/5
"Morning Light" 4/5
"Sending A Note" 3/5
"Cigarette" 4/5
"Killing Me" 3/5
"How Low" 3/5
"Cut" 2/5
"Don't Know What You Look" 3/5
"All The World Tonight" 3/5

The Graham Colton Band delivers good ol' rock a la Counting Crows or Guster. This stuff could definately be heard on any adult alternative station, and it should be. The album starts of great, but kind of wanders at the end. For the most part, however, the songs are teriffic.

Overall rating: Three and a half stars.

I heard about them for the first time when I went to the Kelly Clarkson concert, and had no clue who they were or what they sang. I was pleasantly surprised. Their songs are so personal and believeable. They are now one of my favorite bands. In concert they took the time to talk to the audience and even sign their cds afterward. Awesome, that's all I can say.

They opened the 8/16/04 Dave Matthews Band show that I attended, and they were excellent. I went right to Best Buy afterwards and bought the album.

They really do kick all kinds of ass. A few of my favorites from the CD include 'Morning Light', 'Cut', and 'First Week'.

But, my absolute favorite on the album is 'Since You Broke It'. It's all too catchy, and by all, I mean the entire album.

I've seen them twice and both times Graham was the nicest person ever. He made sure that after the concert everyone knew he'd be around for as long as it took to meet everyone who wanted to and to sign things. I'm in love with this CD, and I recommed it to anyone, and I'd also recommed seeing them live, as that's what they're really all about.

This is a great first album for Graham Colton to get their sound out. It only includes one song from their independently released cd, which is fabulous for us Graham Colton fans. It includes a good mix of slow songs like "Killing Me" and "Cut" to more upbeat songs like "Don't Give up on Me" and their show stopping song "Cigarette". Graham Colton is a young band with a long future ahead of them. If they continue to play with acts such as the Counting Crows, John Mayer, and Dave Matthews, they're sure to be a name on many young women's tongues in the near future.

Graham Colton Band do nothing new on this CD, Drive, but, this is an all-purpose CD that offers catchy choruses and themes reminiscent of roadtrip singalongs and musing about the relationships we have. It's a prime slice of American pop.

Just about every song is perfect fluffy radio filler, and the titles spell out some commonly identifiable stages in a relationship. Oh, you don't like me now, well "Don't Give Up on Me," I mean it's not like we can start being nice again like in our "First Week" together, but now since it's all gone "South," when you kick me I'll think about it in the "Morning Light" because it's "Killing Me."

It's not boring because it's done so well, and good or not, Graham himself sounds like a Rob Thomas with slightly less soul. This is fine. The lyrics don't require it. This is perfect top 40 music. This is really a perfect CD to play while you and your girlfriend are jumping in the leaves, to score the intro to a new sitcom about young 20-somethings trying to make it in this world, or even to grill burgers and hot dogs to.