Lethbridge‘s Leeroy Stagger is back  with his fifth CD “Everything is Real,” which has been released on Stagger‘s record label Rebeltone Records. It features 11 supremely crafted cuts including tracks he has been road testing for at least the past year. They range from tender ballads to uptempo rockers like the catchy “Petrified World” which kicks off the CD.

The title track has a punk feel and while tracks like “Hell of a Life,” “Red Bandana” and my favourite “Stormy” were released on  Easton, Stagger and Phillips (ESP) CD last year, they  sound great here.

 “Stormy” is proof positive why Stagger has been compared to a young Steve Earle. I especially like the use of John Ellis‘ banjo in it.

“Hell of a Life” is really catchy and I love the energy of “Everything is Real.”

“Too Many Rainy Days,” which was also on the ESP CD, is a tender country tinged ballad.

Another strong slower, heart -wrenching number  is “Snowing in Nashville” which is the sad story of a road-wearied struggling songwriter, which sounds like Tom Cochrane could have written it.

 In essence, Stagger shows his range, his songwriting is continuously improving and  the band, including bassist Tyson Maiko, Kevin Kane on lead guitar, John Ellis on everything from guitar to steel guitar to banjo and drummer Pat Steward sound tight.

— Richard Amery

Artist: Leeroy Stagger

CD: Everything is Real

Genre: rock/country/ folk