Back in 2003 the song “I Don’t Want to Be” became the theme song for the popular CW Drama series One Tree Hill, and because of it, the talents of Singer-Songwriter Gavin DeGraw were thrust into the mainstream eye. A song that was also featured on DeGraw’s 2003 debut album Chariot, by 2004 it peaked at number 10 on US charts and became an international hit. Assisting in DeGraw’s Chariot album going platinum, interestingly, a year after the original release he put out the Stripped edition of it; which featured more stripped-down recordings of the same songs. Giving listeners different options with Chariot, now over twenty years later, DeGraw is back with a re-imagined version of Chariot… which he is calling Chariot 20.
A special anniversary, DeGraw stated “Chariot changed everything for me” when announcing that Chariot 20 would be released on September 27, 2024, through Sony Music. As stated, re-recorded editions of the original record, this new release will include two previously unreleased tracks written during Degraw’s original Chariot sessions; “Get Lost” and “Love is Stronger (Alright)”. An exciting bit of detail for fans to learn, DeGraw also launched a world tour on September 13th, which will lead him across Europe through November.
Looking back on the history of Chariot, it was originally released on J Records following the legendary Clive Davis’ signing of DeGraw in 2002. An album that would make DeGraw a future Grammy nominee, Chariot featured the aforementioned hit “I Don’t Want to Be,” which was recently named one of the best songs of 2004 by Billboard. However, Chariot is more than just one hit; because “Follow Through” earned gold certification, and the title-track reached Top 30 territory on the Billboard Hot 100.
All of this in play, for Chariot 20 DeGraw wanted to do something a bit different; so he called on Dave Cobb to handle the production. Cobb, a famed producer who has worked with everyone from Rival Songs to DeGraw prior on the 2022 album Face the River, Chariot 20 is slowed down, intimate, soulful, and more of an acoustic bluesy-sounding listen. Beginning the album with the hit “Follow Through,” DeGraw’s voice has a more gruff, deeper sound. That stated, you can hear the maturity in his voice throughout the entirety of the album. Although, as it has always been, DeGraw’s voice is still clear and prominent.
The title-track, gives you a glimpse into DeGraw’s vocal range and presents his thicker-sounding singing right from the get-go. Furthermore, the electric keys add to the strong soulful sound, but again, his voice is the driving point for this song, or rather the entire album. This is while “I Don’t Want to Be” is not as driven by drums as the original. Instead, it is more synth-based and entwined with a richer soulful feeling than the original. The bridge is more intricate, and this edition even has a soulful Blues feel to it. Then there is “Meaning”; the song that DeGraw stated was one of the main reasons he chose to re-imagine Chariot. Done so quite well, the new recording has a very prominent bluesy guitar, matches very well with DeGraw’s voice, and is largely much more relaxed.
The two tracks previously unreleased not on the original Chariot, but as a part of the original sessions, are both very intriguing, passionate, and wonderful to hear. There is “Get Lost,” which is a synth and drum-led track. Then there is “Love Is Stronger (Alright)” ending the album with lyrics that will send shivers down your spine. With the knowledge that DeGraw lost both of his parents within two years between 2017 and 2019, it is a very touching, moving song that seems to mean more than ever before.
Overall, Gavin DeGraw has managed to combine more Blues and soulful sounds into Chariot 20, showcasing a mature approach. Sure to please your soul, Cryptic Rock gives Chariot 20 5 out of 5 stars.
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