In 2003, listeners were introduced to the young but mature sound of Gavin DeGraw. He became a top-10 hit maker and was somehow still a respectable artist.
With his new self-titled album, that young artist has grown up quite a bit, but still maintained his true form so he could stay true to his original fans. Five years after we first got a taste of the bright talent, DeGraw has buckled down, settled in and hit his stride in rock.
Gavin DeGraw shows that a musician can broaden his horizons and spread his wings without completely selling out and losing the character he possessed. His latest album's sound is a little harder, with more electricity and more instruments than 2003's Chariot.
DeGraw steps away from the country twinge that was laced through his music, naturally progressing to a straight rock sound. Even with this evolution, the single, In Love With A Girl
is still very similar to his debut single, I Don't Wanna Be. This is not so much monotonous as it is comforting. Old fans won't feel betrayed and new fans won't feel confused.
Gavin DeGraw is a great addition to the revival of pianist singer-songwriters such as Sara Bareilles, and an even better supplement to The Black Crowes' newest album.
Songwriting is still DeGraw's strong suit, and thankfully that aspect still shines above the new electric sound. Except for the pseudo-political, anti-drug position he takes on Medicate the Kids the songs are full of the sensitivity and grace that made him charming from the start.
Although the new sound is a step up, DeGraw still seems to be feeling out his place in music. He sticks to the same sound throughout the album, afraid to deviate until the last song, We Belong Together. Most of the album is the basic early-rock feel of a singer on top of a strumming or plucking guitar that can become tedious after a while.
The distinctly American sound that encompasses DeGraw's music is part of the staying power for him. The fact that Gavin DeGraw is focusing on his music and the message that it brings is very refreshing, especially after a few weeks of Mariah Carey and Timbaland. It's also good that there is something out there worth looking forward to, and it's not the return of Usher.
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Susan Tebben
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After 5 years, self-titled release G
