Chariot Stripped (Bonus CD) - Dark Publications

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Customer Reviews: Read 129 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Chariot Stripped by Gavin DeGraw July 27, 2004
13 out of 15 found this review helpful

Every so often an artist comes out with an album that can literally change your life, your entire prospective on music and fully captivate you from the start until the finish. Last year an artist released an album that did just that, and that album was Chariot by Gavin DeGraw. To this day it is still my most cherished album and hands down my all time favorite in my entire collection. Each song was breath-taking, and now with the release of STRIPPED, Gavin's second album, I am even more pleased, in fact words may not have been created to describe my reactions.

Not only do you get the original album, Chariot, but you get STRIPPED, an acoustic, live recording of all 11 tracks from his impecable debut album, as well as a brand new song "Change will Come". Using the ever popular 'passion over pitch' method of raw, emotional recordings, Gavin re-recorded all the songs 100% live in a studio with an acoustic band all in one take, completely stripped of all the engineering & over producing that record lables use to get more radio friendly sounding songs.

Not since Lauryn Hill's Unplugged have I heard an album so real, so focused & so incredibly inspiring. While his debut was an astonishing release, STRIPPED easily surpasses it because this is the way I believe Gavin initially intended the listener to hear his work. Who could have imagined tracks such as "Follow Through", "Belief", "Just Friends", "Over-rated" & "I Don't Want to Be" could sound any better than their original recordings. Even "Chemical Party" which I wasn't a fan of the first time around, sounds incredible to say the least.

Gavin is a truly remarkable talent, and the best kept secret in all of the industry. Now its time to let that secret out. This music is purely timeless, an influential masterpiece that only comes along every so often. For one to pass on this release could even be a sin. He had the best album of 2003, and now he unquestionably has accomplished the same award this year.

5 out of 5 stars

*****GREAT FROM START TO FINISH***** August 3, 2005
12 out of 12 found this review helpful

Bought this CD after I saw Bo Bice's performance of 'I Don't want to be' on American Idol. Liked the song when Bo sang it, love when Gavin does. In my opinion Gavin is a artist who always stays true to his art. Sound is fresh and inspiring with great vocals.
All songs are good, but my favorite three are: Belief, Follow Through, and Chariot.

"A MUSIC MUST HAVE"

5 out of 5 stars

Gavin's Music : Giving "Meaning to the World" May 3, 2006
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

Gavin Degraw's amazing fusion of acoustic pop, alternative rock and soulful blues crooning has an undeniable magnetism that you just can't help but give in to. While some artist of his age keep their audiences on their toes by acting out a lifestlye like that of a Lifetime special that's just so bad you can't help but watch, Gavin's appeal is deeply rooted in talent and his seemingly effortless ability to not only breathe an entirely original style into his own music, but also into even the most classic of classic songs, like that of Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get it On."

DeGraw's Chariot Stripped album is the pinnacle of the perfect artistic blend of instrumentation, vocality, and raw emotion. The tracks are so clean cut and pure, at times you can actually hear the sound of the piano bench settle underneath Gavin's weight. Nothing has been tainted with soundboard beats, echo chambers, or even the classic wall of sound, and it could be no better.

Gavin display's a wide range of ability on the album from his guttural vocal stylings to his strength as both a guitarist and pianist. No two tracks are at all alike, and each has it's own very precise blend and balance of instrumentation. So many artists rely on looping beat tracks, but there is nothing repetitive about this album, or its production.

"Meaning" is a soft ballad with some of the most insightful and honest lyrics I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. With incredible imagery and heart warming depth, this song cant help but make you love love and question what is all about anyway.

One of the true treasures of this album is Degraw's immaculate interpretation of the Sam Cooke classic "Change is Gonna Come." The vocality on this track is absolutely gorgeous, and shows a whole new side of Degraw's artistic range, passion, and lends even more credence to the 29-year-old's old-soul-crooner status.

"Chariot" has a very complex piano accompaniment and fantastic, gripping lyrics that could speak to the heart of even the most jaded individual, reminding them once again of the magic of all things simplistic, earthly, and heavenly. A reminder of faith and strength of heart, "Chariot" brings the whole feel of the album home, summing up quite decisively the complexly minimalistic style that is the life and music of Gavin Degraw.

Gavin Degraw is, without a doubt, a very powerful force to be reckoned with. His music is timeless and knows no boundaries of age, race, colour or creed. He is, across the board, one of the most talented, dedicated, tenacious, and promising artist of our time.

5 out of 5 stars

Gavin Fan October 12, 2004
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

In this introductory effort by newcomer Gavin Degraw, he has nailed it! By
trying to stick to the genre of laid back and easygoing music, Degraw has done
what he set out to do. Each song on this full CD was easy to listen to, and
had great new melodies and good lyrics.
On the first track, "Follow Through," Degraw get right down to the point by
saying, "this is the start of something new/don't you agree." You can't help but smile and nod because it is something new and exciting. His music is new and different and sets himself apart from from others such as Jack Johnson and John Mayer. By being his own
critic, Degraw points out that his music is not some cookie-cutter piece of
musicianship. On the track, "I don't wanna be.." Degraw let's critics and fans
alike know that he will not give into the ever popular sellout artist. By
saying, "I don't wanna be anything other than what I've been trying to be
lately/All I have to do is think of me and I have piece of mind"
Each song shows more and more emotion, as Degraw has said that his music is
based on his personal experiences. The soulful lyrics and range of Degraw's
talent adds to the content of the cd, making the listener want to hear just what
treat is coming up next. On the track, "Just Friends," the listener can almost feel the emotion of the song in Degraw's voice. Every word sung evokes a feeling in the listener that cannot be ignored. By putting into words the emotion felt by unrequited love, Degraw has nailed the feelings of anguish and hopelessness along with anger and quiet desperation.
Gavin Degraw's style can be described as a laid back John Mayer type, with
the uniqueness of indie rocker Ben Kweller, with the instrumental talent as good as Dave Matthew's Band. As you can only describe a band with comparisons to another, it has to be said that despite the comparisons, Degraw sets himself apart from them. His style is unique, yet familiar, comfortable but modern, interesting but impressive. The poetry and the flow of the wordsmake the listener want to sing along at all times. The melody, the words, the beat: all of it is good and nothing on the cd was a disappointment.
If your in the mood for an easy listen with soulful and poetic lyrics, look
no further than Gavin Degraw's "Stripped." For somber moods, happy moods, angry feelings and just plain frustration, the emotions in this cd are for anyone at any point in their lives. If Gavin Degraw continues to make efforts that are half as good as this one, we can expect great things from this artist.

5 out of 5 stars

What an amazing talent! April 26, 2005
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

"Stripped" attests to the undeniable talent that Gavin DeGraw possesses. All of his songs on the album are amazing and exhibit his strong and unique voice. The cover of "Change is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke only cements the power of Gavin's voice and his ability to convey emotion. This is one of the best CD's I've purchased in years.

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