Customer Reviews

Sweeter

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

If you're a Gavin DeGraw fan already, you shouldn't be disappointed here. Just finished listening through it once and I love it! The album is particularly themed to getting over someone with the exception of Run Every Time (unless you're the one who broke it off). If you are in that situation, you NEED this album for Not Over You and the whole 2nd half of the album. Apart from that, the music and lyrics here are superb across the album, amazing job Gavin!

I will never understand all these Gavin haters...the guy has an amazing voice, writes beautiful lyrics and melodies and plays piano like a god!

This album is almost as good as "chariot" - and that is after having listened to it only twice. Anything that grabs you that immediately is nothing but great music!
Can't say a bad thing about the album, if you love any of his songs - buy it!

If you're not sure listen to any of the first four tracks and you'll love it...

Gavin DeGraw is one of the most underrated artists! He is such an amazing singer, songwriter, and performer! I hope that this album gives him the recognition he soo deserves! I love every album he's done, especially songs on his Chariot album and FREE album, I love the raw stuff. I think this Sweeter album truly has a combination of it all! I was worried it was gonna be all pop crap, trying to be like all this other crap on the radio, but I'm really impressed! Some of the songs are "popish", but I would say more "vibey" would be the way to describe them, like "Sweeter" and "Radiation" are really fun songs. I think the new single should be "Run Every Time", that would be a great catchy radio song. By far though my favorite is "Spell It Out", WOW is that song special!!! Vocally just amazing, his true strength. BUY THIS ALBUM, YOU WILL NOT BE LET DOWN!!!

Amazing follow-up to "Free"!!! Really enjoying this album and the theme running through these songs. We've all been in the place Gavin sings about at one time or another in our own lives. Love his soul and his piano playing! My favorite is "Soldier"!

I had heard Gavin's singles in the past, and liked them, but to be honest, hadn't really paid any attention, since I tend to gravitate to other types of music. Once I heard this album though, the light went on--where have I been?! This guy is amazing. I've purchased all 4 of his albums now, and have not found a single song to skip when I'm listening. His lyrics are consistently insightful and relevant, while his performances are soulful and heartfelt...and at times rocking and sexy! Sweeter is, in my opinion, the best of his albums so far, demonstrating increasing maturity and musical diversity. I previously thought of Gavin's music as "young" and intended for the college crowd, but now I realize I was just seriously uninformed. This album is proof Gavin has the chops to appeal to everyone--any age, any background, any musical preference. As someone else said in their review, his music--particularly Sweeter--is actually addictive; once you play the album a time or two, you'll keep it on heavy rotation...if you stop playing it at all. I'll admit I've played it almost daily for the past month! Have a listen and I think you'll agree this is a great album. Check out Sweeter and Radiation...Soldier and Spell It Out...Every song is a winner. And once you find out how much you love Sweeter, take the plunge and get Chariot (Stripped), Free and his self-titled album too. You won't be sorry! Can't wait for the next album!

I just became a Gavin DeGraw fan. Bought this album and keep playing it over and over. He is addicting. Went to his concert last night at The Pageant in St. Louis. He was terrific! Very entertaining - moves around a lot.

Gavin DeGraw makes it to his fourth album. pretty much covering the same turf as his first three. He's still milking the same blue-eyed soul turf that has made stars out of Jason Mraz currently and Daryl Hall decades before. What differentiates "Sweeter" from his other CD's is that he decided to allow co-writers on-board for the first time. On of them, Ryan Tedder, has been all but certified as the current Midas Touch-man, ala Mick Ronson. Tedder is also the producer of those two songs, emphasizing the piano and making the title song sound tougher than it really is. Andrew Frampton also produces/cowrites a pair, "Run Every Time" and the closer, "Spell It Out."

What strikes me as most interesting is that, on his own, DeGraw comes off as a piano-man worshiping at the alter of Billy Joel and Elton John (especially on "You Know Where I'm At"). Not a bad well to draw from, and when it turns up songs like "Radiation" or "Soldier," worth the effort. On the more annoying and overworked "Candy," not so much. What I'd love to hear more of, though, is the solo DeDraw that sits behind his piano and lets loose with "Spell It Out," which does away with overproduction and just lets the man sing and play. My guess is DeGraw is too slick a salesman to want to be that exposed too often, but it's the highlight of an otherwise light pop album.

:)

Gavin is one of my favorite guilty pleasures. He's not so hooky and empty that it's senseless but he's also not completely serious all the time either. He finds middle ground. His talent on the piano is also pretty nice. Lastly, I'm a fan because he's a songwriter and lyricist. People that write their own lyrics astound me. If they arrange it then that's just icing on the cake!

My favorite tracks off of his previous albums were definitely the thoughtful "Belief" (Chariot Stripped (Bonus CD)), the emotive ballad "We Belong Together" Gavin DeGraw), the heartbreaking "Glass" (Free). On 2011's Sweeter, it's probably the "handclap-happy" "Soldier".

This album is more akin to the first disc of Chariot Stripped (Bonus CD) and especially Gavin DeGraw where there are more hooks, upbeat times to be had and some overproduction compared to the more serious, stripped down singer-songwriter's album Free. People looking for something more like those albums will probably be impressed and others who just want something like Gavin's 2010 album will like some of the ballads but probably won't dig this completely.

Quick track to track:

1. Sweeter: 4/5 Intense feeling. Loud, in-your-face production. Decent opener.
***
2. Not Over You: 5/5 The lead single. Catchiness sneaks up on you after a while of hearing it and watching the video.
***
3. Run Every Time: 4.5/5 The lyrics are kinda sad because Gavin admits to running from a girl when he should probably just stay put. But that's just a part of his personality...
***
4. Soldier: 5/5 Didn't catch my attention at first, but has grown to be a real keeper. Single-worthy, has a gospel choir and is my new favorite!
***
5. Candy: 4.5/5 "I know you've learned to use your fairy tales to get you through the hurt." Nice line. Love the ending piano.
***
6. You Know Where I'm At: 4/5 Finally, a genuine ballad. Not the best one here but it's a start.
***
7. Stealing: 4/5 Is this one about a relationship or a fling? I'm unsure but this song is pretty cool. Nice lyrics.
***
8. Radiation: 5/5 Upbeat as hell and fun. Heavy, Ryan Tedder-like drum work inside. A treat.
***
9. Where You Are: 4.5/5 This ballad is more in the typical vein of Gavin's normal ones. I love it and especially the chorus although some may find it too ho hum.
***
10. Spell It Out: 4/5 Another ballad. This time with the piano at the forefront. It's maybe one of two songs where Gavin oversings like he's famous for doing on some songs. Sounds alright, but he kinda goes off key here. A former favorite.
***

4.5 stars.

DOWNLOAD:
"Soldier"
"Not Over You"
"Radiation"
"Run Every Time" &
"Where You Are"

HONORABLE MENTION:
"Candy"

I'll probably be revising this review a bit the next couple of days since I just got the album today. Only two things disappoint me on first listen here. There are only 10 tracks (Come on, Gavin!) and even more so, there is less and less piano work present. That's one of the reasons I fell in love with Chariot Stripped (Bonus CD).:( But rest assured, this is a great album. Just maybe a bit rushed seeing as he had one that was out early last year that nobody heard of and radio never recognized. If I was to rank this, I'd put it up there with the first disc of Chariot Stripped (Bonus CD) but not as good as the stripped second disc itself. I just wish it wasn't so short. Either way, welcome home, Gavin!

this album is definitely one that will make you smile. Perfect music to play during an early morning run or shower... it'll definitely get you in a great mood! Sounds a bit like OneRepublic mixed with Train and some hints of Michael Buble tossed in - a beautiful mix. do yourself a favor and put this CD on next time you wake up, and get ready to have a great day! :)

I am a huge GD fan, and his Chariot album (especially the "Stripped" disc two) is one of my favorite CDs of all time. That being said, his follow-ups have been full of hits and misses, but the hits are so good all is forgiven. The same proves true here. The first song, the title track "Sweeter" is not good at all - his voice during the chorus sounds oddly like Macy Gray and the lyrics (mostly) sound like they were written for a woman. Remember, I am a huge fan but this is my honest opinion. "Candy" also is an odd fit for him. But negatives out of the way, I would say "Soldier" is the best song on the CD - it's worth a download if nothing else. But the album is worth buying as the other songs, including the first single "Not Over You", make the couple of misfires be forgotten. It doesn't top his debut album, but you won't regret giving this a listen.