2008 Woodie Awards
Gavin DeGraw releases third self-titled album
And I'm not so sure that I'm "in love with" it
Veronica Carrington
Issue date: 5/21/08 Section: Features
Gavin DeGraw hit it big with 2003's "I Don't Want to Be," an anti-fronting hymn with the lengthy chorus "I don't want to be anything other than what I've been trying to be lately."
This single from his first album, Chariot, helped thunder him to fame when it was used as the WB's opening to "One Tree Hill," however; five years later DeGraw is still long-winded.
His newest self-titled album is fraught with superficial crystallized pop and confusing analogies.
DeGraw packs strange metaphors into the jazz inspired song, "Cop Stop." The questionable lines "I won't tell you lies or treat you like a rental car like other guys" make me wonder where the old Gavin has gone.
Granted, he leaves out handling his stick shift, but the cheesy one-liners do not do much to render a young woman flattered.
"Medicate the Kids" is a powerful tirade against ADD drugs, and DeGraw issues free advice like an ineffective Dr. Phil, sans constant blinking.
However, as usual, DeGraw's catchy and relatable melodies save him.
DeGraw tries to relate to everyone on "Next to Me," a bubbly plea to an aloof love interest to which we all can share a part in.
A redeeming song on the album has to be the piano and guitar fueled "In Love With a Girl." Though the song may seem like a frat boy bearing his soul for the tenth time on a drunken Friday night, the song is catchy and captures the essence of young love.
The entire album is a guilty pleasure right up there with Hanson, Spice Girls and LFO; Admit it, we all know the words to "Wannabe" and "MMMBop."
This album is perfect mood music for teen girls, sensitive guys who defend their man-bags and those of us who will play it when we are alone on a long drive.
This writer can be contacted at features@theeastcarolinian.com.
This single from his first album, Chariot, helped thunder him to fame when it was used as the WB's opening to "One Tree Hill," however; five years later DeGraw is still long-winded.
His newest self-titled album is fraught with superficial crystallized pop and confusing analogies.
DeGraw packs strange metaphors into the jazz inspired song, "Cop Stop." The questionable lines "I won't tell you lies or treat you like a rental car like other guys" make me wonder where the old Gavin has gone.
Granted, he leaves out handling his stick shift, but the cheesy one-liners do not do much to render a young woman flattered.
"Medicate the Kids" is a powerful tirade against ADD drugs, and DeGraw issues free advice like an ineffective Dr. Phil, sans constant blinking.
However, as usual, DeGraw's catchy and relatable melodies save him.
DeGraw tries to relate to everyone on "Next to Me," a bubbly plea to an aloof love interest to which we all can share a part in.
A redeeming song on the album has to be the piano and guitar fueled "In Love With a Girl." Though the song may seem like a frat boy bearing his soul for the tenth time on a drunken Friday night, the song is catchy and captures the essence of young love.
The entire album is a guilty pleasure right up there with Hanson, Spice Girls and LFO; Admit it, we all know the words to "Wannabe" and "MMMBop."
This album is perfect mood music for teen girls, sensitive guys who defend their man-bags and those of us who will play it when we are alone on a long drive.
This writer can be contacted at features@theeastcarolinian.com.
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