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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This CD sets me FREE, April 1, 2009
On his third album, Gavin Degraw breaks free of the controllers who had molded and shaped his image and persona on the second album. Free is such a very personal album that listening to it is almost like reading a diary. Over the years, our girl Gavin has seen many personal and professional ups and downs and many of them are explored on the album. The songwriting and song production are excellent and Gavin's powerful voice is full of emotion, and that makes this album one of the best. This album is definitely a creative leap forward for Gavin. On this album, he sounds more comfortable, more self-assured than ever. A perfect example of his apparently newfound confidence is the track "Waterfalls." The track is the audio equivalent of an intimate evening your significant other. It just oozes true love, and Gavin's strong, powerful vocals on the song are realization of the potential that he displayed on his first two albums. Whether choosing an up-beat tune, a slow love ballad, Gavin does them all equally well. One of the first songs "FREE", is a great ballad and you can tell that he is on a mission to improve himself and nothing is going to stand in his way. Another track with an outstanding vocal performance is the album's first single, "Stay" "Why don't you stay, I need you here with me. When you're away, all others disappear." So for those who have followed Gavin Degraw through some, most or all of his career, the good news is: FREE is definitely his best album so far. Gavin also picked two great ballads with fan favorites "Dancing Shoes" and "Glass." They aren't his previous live records but listening to them, the pure essence of the meaning of the songs shine through. "Indian Summer" is a song I've heard covered by several artists, which was originally recorded by Chris Whitley. No matter who does it, it is a great love song. It's evident by this album that Gavin is still growing as an artist, and as long as he continues to grow and evolve, he'll eventually rise to the top of his field.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gavin at his BEST!, April 1, 2009
This album is going to be one of Gavin's greatest works, and all done in two weeks! I don't have my physical cd yet but I have listened over and over on iLike
I love that Gavin recorded Glass and Dancin' Shoes as these are two of the songs that I felt in love with as a new Gavin fan several years ago.
Dancin' shoes- Gavin really pays homage to his original recording of this song. He sounds more mature and more soulful but the innocence of the song isn't lost. Beautiful.
Stay- This is one of my all time favorite songs how. From the first time I heard it, I knew....this is Gavin at his BEST! I love that it sounds a bit country and "vulnerable" as I've heard it described.
Indian Summer-I know this is just a cover but Gavin was born to sing it! Chris Whitley would be proud!! Gavin's voice and the way he delivers these great lyrics is just phenominal!
Free- Free feels exactly that. FREE! Gavin seems to have opened himself up to just create amazing music outside of the box of s*** rock and pop radio.
Mountains to move- This somber tune showcases Gavin's deep writing....i'm still trying to figure it out :)
Glass-LOVE LOVE LOVE- my only quam is that I wish he ended it the same as in the Virgin records store recording....but of course I would want that having only heard this song from that video for three years.
Lover be strong- When I first heard the name of this song I thought it was going to be oh so cheesy....but it's soooo not! I love everything about it.....the melody the beat, gavin's delivery of the vocals, the lyrics....it's a winner! This will be one of Gavin's greatest hits I'm sure of it.
Waterfall-This is the most sensual song I've ever heard from Gavin-It sounds like a hot steamy love making session! Talk about baby making music hehe. I really love Gavin's " Smokey Robinsonesque" vocals.
Why do the men stray- This is another case of Gavin's deep writing and unwillingness to conform to popculture, right on Gavin!!!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Little amount of songs, big amount of music!, April 2, 2009
When I heard the teaser track "Stay" I wasn't too impressed and a little a disappointed since it seemed like the style of this album wasn't any different from his previous ones. But listening to it I was proven wrong, it's definitely more cool calm collective and the songs are very intense even though there aren't as many big choruses but man, this record goes under your skin!
My favorite tracks may be "Mountains To Move" and "Why Do The Men Stray", but also "Lover Be Strong" and "Glass", that was also heard on episode 6.18 of One Tree Hill, are sheer amazing.
With this record Gavin proves that a record doesn't need a lot of songs but that quiet sounds, a nice and very unique voice and good lyrics might just equal a really great album, that's intense, beautiful to listen to, definitely timeless and a piece of art.
Well done, Gavin DeGraw!
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by Gavin DeGraw 
