Gavin DeGraw : Gavin DeGraw : Review : Rolling Stone

Gavin DeGraw first hit it big with 2003's "I Don't Want to Be," an anti-fronting anthem with the long-winded chorus "I don't want to be anything other than what I've been tryin' to be lately." Five years later, dude's still verbose. He packs bizarre metaphors into the faux-jazzy "Cop Stop": "I won't tell you lies/Or treat you like a rental car like other guys." (Thankfully, there's no mention of handling his stick shift.) And on "Medicate the Kids" — a power-chord-filled rant against ADD drugs — he issues free advice like a feckless Dr. Phil. Luckily, DeGraw's stamped-on-your-brain melodies save him: "Next to Me" is a bouncy plea to an aloof love interest, and the piano-and-guitar-fueled "In Love With a Girl" is frat-boy soul at its most tuneful. It's perfect mood music for teen girls and the sensitive guys who want to hold their purses.

NICOLE FREHSEE

(Posted: May 15, 2008)

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Review 1 of 2

4of 5 Stars

I have been a long standing fan of Gavin Degraw, loving his soulful piano driven rock. His vocal melodies leaving me singing along for hours. I even got a chance to catch him live and front row at the Palace in Louisville, KY. I was very anxious for the new album to come out and got my hands on it on May 7th. I've been listening to it..and I am bummed to not hear the piano influences of his past album. They lyrics were kind of whiney and teenagery. Cheated on Me dissappointed me in that respect. He still has a knack for writing a great chorus melody and accomplishes so on nearly every song. I was excited to hear a recorded version of Cop Stop..until I heared the annoying back vocals that interrupt the coolness of the song. Overall, I still like the album, but it's not exactly what was I hoping for.

May 11, 2008 12:52:40

Review 2 of 2

3of 5 Stars

I have been a Gavin supporter from day one for the reason that the had a unique and refreshing sound. I loved the fact that the piano played a large part of his music. It gave it more soul and he didn't blend in with every other guy on the music scene.

Yesterday I ran out to get the new CD and was disappointed that he chose to not to include the piano as much. Sadly enough he is starting to blend in with some other top 40 music. It felt he was targeting a younger generation with this album - teenagers. As a twenty something I am very disappointed. Hopefully he can rebound and capture my attention a little better if he comes out with a "stripped" version of this album.

May 7, 2008 09:02:09

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