Chariot
Gavin DeGraw · 2003
40 min · 11 tracks · blue-eyed soul
A soulful blend of pop and rock underpinned by heartfelt lyrics and DeGraw's powerful vocals.
Top tracks — play these first
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Follow Through Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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I Don’t Want to Be — This anthem of self-acceptance features an infectious chorus and has become synonymous with DeGraw's identity as an artist. Its placement as a theme song for One Tree Hill solidified its cultural impact.
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Chariot — The title track encapsulates the album's exploration of love and longing, combining emotive lyrics with a captivating melody that showcases DeGraw's vocal range.
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(Nice to Meet You) Anyway — With its upbeat tempo and clever wordplay, this track exemplifies DeGraw's knack for blending catchy hooks with relatable storytelling, making it a standout moment on the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album showcases solid songwriting and production but doesn't significantly stand out in its genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a mid-tempo track that sets a consistent pace, followed by several songs that maintain a similar energy level.
- DeGraw's vocal delivery is prominent throughout, often layering harmonies in the choruses to enhance emotional impact.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady, consistent energy levels
- long, immersive listening sessions
- dynamic emotional journeys
- contemplative background ambiance
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Breakthrough — This debut album established DeGraw's reputation and included a major hit single.
- Career context
- Released in 2003, Chariot is Gavin DeGraw's debut album, arriving just after he gained significant attention with his hit single 'I Don’t Want to Be'. This album established him as a prominent voice in the blue-eyed soul genre, showcasing his distinct sound and songwriting abilities.
- Stylistic neighbors
- John Legend· Ryan Tedder· Marc Broussard
Tracklist
- 1 Follow Through Start here 4:00
- 2 Chariot 4:01
- 3 Just Friends 3:25
- 4 (Nice to Meet You) Anyway 3:46
- 5 Chemical Party 3:01
- 6 Belief 4:29
- 7 Crush 3:27
- 8 I Don’t Want to Be 3:39
- 9 Meaning 3:35
- 10 More Than Anyone 2:58
- 11 Over‐Rated 4:11
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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