Simply amazing. Honest; hearfelt and so much more.
Adrian the Complex Lonely | USA | 03/10/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Uplifting is the demeanor you get to see when listening to this CD. It was a blur before but now....well. Let's just start here:
When I first listened to this CD, I was like, OK. It's OK. But besides the single, a lot of the songs just came and went.
Good thing I didn't sell this or give it away because deep inside the lyrics, the melodies and the piano arrangements, is a pleasant gift from Gavin to you. He's very, very smart and in tune with how he feels which is great to hear these days.
Not that other men don't do this, because it's rampantly-common these days. But Gavin just has a way of doing it so, so, so well! So give this CD a chance! I know it took me a while to love it!
I already rated the normal album with the second Stripped version and now I'm gonna do this. So you'll obviously notice that I like the songs much more now.
Follow Through - 4.5 stars. I love this song. It's so innocent.
Chariot - 4.5 stars. We've all heard this one a million times. Inspirational and features great piano and a nice arrangement.
Just Friends - 5.25 stars. What I thought about this song initially has changed. It's a great, honest tale of a lying cheat. Gavin's still willing to forgive if they just put the thought in the past and they admit that they really do love each other.
I'm with him, but hopefully will only be stepped on once and then they're off!
(Nice to Meet You) Anyway - 5 stars. xoxoxox
Chemical Party - 4.3 stars. This is a good song. It speaks about a girl who has fun at a party and enjoys everyone but Gavin. He's drunk and she is high...too high to realize him. "I think I like you but you like this whole room. You sexy machine!"
Belief - 6 stars. This song is kind of weird, lyrically, at first. But give it time.
"When you came to my defense with a knife in the shape of your mouth in the form of your body" didn't make too much sense to me then. But I've always liked the ending, continue to like it, and I totally understand what he means and is talking about now; love, trust, understanding, affection and sex. My favorite by him so far. Can't wait till the next album comes next month.
Mariah Carey is actually my favorite singer ever, and I'm looking forward to this release more so than her next!!
Crush - 5 stars. Thank you, Gavin. You delivered another strong track. I love the composition of this song. Once again, good job!
I Don't Want to Be - 4.75 stars. Gavin's first single. It's a great one at that. Gives off a good message. Tells the world that Gavin isn't afraid to be his own self. In fact when people expect him to be different, he totally blows it off and finds the power inside to stand out as him and no one else.
Meaning - 5.5 stars. This song didn't really do much for me before...but now it's so not skip-able! In fact it's my second favorite song here. I just love the lyrics. And the falsetto notes he hits a few times. You will LOVE this one. It's a favorite.
More Than Anyone - 4.25 stars. Cute, but even though it's better than what it was the first listen through, it's just not a standout.
Over-rated - 4.3 stars. I really like the lyrics here.
53.35 ÷ 11 = 4.85 stars.
End note: As you saw, none of these songs gets lower than a 4-star rating this time around. I really am in love with this CD. And I must say, although I've said great things about many CDs, this is definitely in my favorite 20 CDs I've ever heard. For real, for real!
Big ups to Gavin Degraw for this MASTERPIECE. It's pop music without being overly poppy. It's catchy without being too catchy and it might not be raw but it's real. Believe that."
Track Listings (24) - Disc #1
