Common Sense Note
Did Gavin's mom make him practice the piano while the other kids TP'd the police station? Probably. Did it pay off? Big time. Talk to your kids about the benefits of taking music lessons seriously.
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Kathi Kamen Goldmark
Gavin DeGraw is a bright new talent whose debut CD, CHARIOT, is likely to get under your skin and stay there for a while. An accomplished pianist, Gavin drives his original tunes with tasteful, dramatic playing and a raw, emotional vocal style.
The songs are romantic, honest, and more than a bit clichéd. All are more interesting instrumentally than lyrically. But Gavin manages to talk about love, lust, loss, and hope without relying on four-letter words or sexist posturing, and he is supported by a stellar cast of studio-smart pros: Joey Waronker, of Beck and R.E.M. fame on drums; Michael Ward of the Wallflowers on guitar; veteran bassist Alvin Moody. They all help to make CHARIOT very easy to listen to.
The main attraction, Gavin himself, appears to be a sincere and sincerely nice guy with a big heart and good intentions. His raspy, bluesy voice makes the listener feel as though he's baring his heart in a very personal way, telling intimate stories about his life and loves. Overall, it works like a charm.
Rate It!
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Sexual ContentIt's all about the romance. |
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Social BehaviorHe seems like a really nice guy. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoOne song, "Chemical Party," has drug and drinking references. |
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