Sweeter

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! I really can't name a favorite since all of the songs on this album have that Gavin flare remembered from Chariot. First time co-writing with others but Gavin's superb lyrics are still here. Let's see, the more rock types songs are "Sweeter" and "Radiation". I'd call, "Not Over You", "Candy" and "Run Every Time" more in the Pop category. "Stealing" almost has a Jazz-type feel. "You know where I'm at", "Where you are" and "Spell It Out" are those soulful piano ballads that Gavin delivers so effortlessly. You MUST see Gavin live. I have seen him over 30 times as I've been a long-time fan (2003), but NOTHING is like seeing him live. He's an amazing entertainer and you'll just fall in love with his music even more!

I own all of Gavin DeGraw's albums and am a particular fan of "Chariot (Stripped)" and "Free." I like his work best when his arrangements are stripped down and the raw energy of live performance comes through on the record. Just Gavin, his piano, and maybe a little acoustic guitar would be enough for me.

This record definitely has more of a "produced, radio-friendly" sound. I like the funk in the album's title track, I love the percussive quality of many of the tracks, and the driving movement of many of the songs. It is not, in my opinion, over-produced. It's a very good album; I give it four stars.

While I prefer the "stripped" quality of some of his earlier work, I can appreciate the dilemma artists face as their careers evolve. Ultimately, they do have to create "radio friendly" hits to attract fans and get them to come out to their live shows. When they've built a fan base and are playing larger venues they need songs that will play well in larger spaces and have almost anthemic qualities. "Sweeter" is just such a record. Gavin knows how to write a hook.

Thematically Gavin has evolved as well. Some of the themes of the songs are edgier and sexier than his earlier work. They reflect the viewpoint of someone who's getting older and has seen/experienced a bit more reality. I think it's genuine, and his craft reflects that he is not trying to be something he is not.

I happened to capture "Soldier" on my iPhone Shazam app. I looked at the tag and had never heard of Gavin DeGraw but was going to buy the album just because I liked "Soldier" so much. When I listened to all the sample songs on Amazon it was like a forehead slapper... He's the guy who sings "Not over You"! I agree with the other reviewers, DeGraw is way underrated and definitely on his way up. It just takes one hit to wake people up and this album has more than one of those hits. DeGraw has a unique style though, not your standard pop artist. There is a raw quality in his voice on some of the other songs that is very appealing. I have ordered two more of his albums based on the other reviews and hope they are as good as this is one. I doubt Gavin DeGraw will remain unknown for long!!!

I've never really taken much of an interest in Gavin Degraw until recently. Mainly just heard the singles that have trickled onto the radio over the last 10 years, but I guess I never heard his name enough to draw my attention to it. Heard a song from Chariot that didn't make it to the radio by accident a couple of months ago and I was hooked. Let's face it, he doesn't have a "singing" voice in the traditional sense of the word, but if you have real talent as a singer, you can make that work for you by developing the voice you were dealt. We all know who the teeny-boppers are who think they can sing, but are really just no-talent hacks who get by for a while on looks and sex appeal. I've really despised this about the music business over the last decade or so and it's always hugely refreshing when someone with real talent is well received.
First thing I look for in any music artist is which talents they actually have. If you aren't a real singer, you'd better be writing some really good songs and if you don't write your own stuff, you'd better have a great voice. If you can't manage at least one of those, what are you bringing to the table? Again, Gavin Degraw doesn't have a "singing" voice, but there's no getting around it. He can really sing! Throw in the fact that he writes all of his own songs and you've got a really well-rounded artist. You can tell he writes with a purpose and many of his lyrics are truly profound and poetic. There's also another plus that Gavin and a few more artists are coming out with now a days that is highly in their favor; they can't be thrown into any one genre. Whether it's because they recognize the universal value this gives them or because they have genuine talent in many categories obviously depends on the artist, but this is a huge advantage. Throughout all 4 albums that I have acquired, Gavin Degraw offers everything from cheeky pop to really raw blues and soul. Another thing I really like about him is that he has several different voices. The only other artist I've ever found this to be really pronounced in was Billy Joel. There was his Piano Man voice, his Uptown Girl voice, his We Didn't Start the Fire voice, etc, and they were all very distinctive. Gavin Degraw also has this quality and uses it quite deftly. This album has a great range and some very catchy tunes. Stealing, Where You Are, and Spell It Out are probably my favorites.
Long story short, I find him to be very genuinely talented and delightful to listen to. I know this album has received much more notice than his previous work, so hopefully that will put him where he deserves to be as he wades the fickle waters of the music business. Gavin's got my vote!

I've always been a fan of Gavin's since seeing him open for another band back in 2004. The first time I heard him, I just KNEW he'd do great things! I'm not one to buy a lot of albums since being able to buy singles began and music in general became so widely available through places like youtube or music on demand channels, etc., but Gavin's song "Dreams" had gotten under my skin and I couldn't shake it! I saw no sense in just buying the single since there were so many other songs of his that I adored and and I'm such a huge fan of this style of music, so I ordered every one of his albums and I absolutely KICK myself for waiting so long to do it! I have his songs running through my head 24/7 since they arrived. He has such a unique voice and his bluesy, piano heavy style just gets right to me. You MUST get this album... it's really something else from start to finish!!!!