New York-based singer/songwriter
Gavin DeGraw
rose to success in 2003 when the song "I Don't Want to Be" from his debut album
Chariot
was chosen as the theme song on the popular American TV series One Tree Hill. His mix of gritty, rock-based songwriting and passionate, uplifting themes struck a chord with fans and music directors alike, as several more of his singles made appearances on American Idol, So You Think You Can Dance, Scrubs, Boston Legal, and other popular shows. Over the course of his five studio albums, he scored a number of hits on the
Billboard
charts like "Follow Through," "Not Over You," and "Best I Ever Had," all of which appear here on his first best-of anthology.
Finest Hour
is a strong representation of
DeGraw
's most popular work, though some fans might be irked that the original version of his hit "In Love with a Girl" has been omitted in favor of a previously unreleased
Max Martin
mix. Additionally, the title track is also featured here in a newly recorded version. Alternate takes aside, this collection is a solid bet. ~ Timothy Monger