Stephen Egerton - The Seven Degrees of Stephen Egerton

The Seven Degrees of Stephen Egerton, is an amazing effort of love by Stephen Egerton, who wrote all the music, played all the instruments, co-wrote a few of the lyrics, AND recorded the whole album himself. Egerton is probably best known as the guitarist for the Descendents, and ALL, two legendary punk bands that have been around for decades. For this album, each track has a different vocalist (who, for the most part wrote their own lyrics after being sent demos), friends that Egerton has made through his many years in the business, but I'll go more into that for each track. I was really excited when I had heard this was coming out as I'm a big fan of both bands mentioned above, not to mention many of the bands represented by their singers below.

1. Flip featuring John Speck of The Fags

A great way to start the album, the music reminds me of something that wouldn't be too out of place on The Descendent's “Cool To Be You” album. Having never listened to anything by The Fags, I thought John Speck's voice went really well with the music. His delivery is pretty straight forward for the most part, and the lyrics are of the sort that if you close your eyes, you find yourself in the song, which is never a bad thing.

2. Fire's On featuring Jon Snodgrass of Drag The River

Drag the River is a band that counts amongst it's members, Egerton's bandmates in ALL, Karl Alvarez and Chad Price. Jon sounds like a toned down Chad Price (more on Price later) on this track, which is great if you've ever listened to ALL's last few albums, as it goes perfectly with Egerton's guitar. One of those classic tunes about leaving everything behind.

3. Abundance of Fluff featuring John Moreland of John Moreland and The Black Gold Band

Not familiar with John Moreland, but this track reminds me of something the band Lit would have come up with back in their heyday. It's not as fast or upbeat, but it has a catchy quality to it that I can't deny.

4. South For The Winter featuring Tim McIlrath of Rise Against

This is the first track on the album that has a vocalist that I'm really familiar with. Rise Against is a fairly popular band, and I can hear Tim singing in my head on cue if need be. This track is done pretty well, his delivery is perfect, especially leading into the chorus (which is followed by some sweet fretwork by Egerton), and the lyrics are definitely what you'd come to expect from Rise Against.

5. Funny Face featuring Chad Price of ALL / Drag The River

Here we go! This is half of ALL playing together, which is bound to be good. Right off the bat, it has the feel of an ALL song, especially with Chad Price's putting so much emotion into his vocal delivery. There's not much that I need to say about this track, definitely one of my favorites on the album.

6. Never Again featuring Bill McShane of Ultimate Fakebook

If you've never heard of Ultimate Fakebook, then you are missing out. A great trio of musicians who know how to make some really fun music. Bill McShane is great on this song, which one would expect if they were familiar with his previous material. He has a unique voice and his delivery is hard to beat, this is definitely another one of my favorites.

7. On The Avenue featuring Jesse Cole of In Stereo/Le Fang

Now this is a really fun tune, and I'll be looking into Cole's category pretty soon as he brings great energy to this track.

8. Our Last Song featuring Dan Adriano of Alkaline Trio

Dan Adriano has a voice that's always going to be easily recognized, and is capable of altering the mood of any song he appears on. If someone like Tom Delonge sang on this song, there's a good chance that I wouldn't enjoy it as much, as it would change the entire dynamic of the song. It's like an Alkaline Trio song with the gloom meter dialed back a few notches, good stuff.

9. She's Got Everything featuring Milo Aukerman of The Descendents

Okay, it's Milo, how can this be bad? It's been about 6 years since I last heard Milo on anything new, so I always look forward to hearing anything featuring him. Apparently, Stephen wrote this song for his wife, and it's a gem. I've heard Scott Reynolds sing vocals on this track before, and am not sure which I prefer. Milo is 45, yet still sounds like a teenager, which makes this song appropriate for anyone with a certain special someone.

10. Cut Me Down To Size featuring Mike Herrera of MxPx

This song instantly made me feel like I was 15 again, and had my hair dyed green. It's basically what you'd come to expect from anything involving Mike Herrera, whether or not that's a bad thing totally depends on your personal preference... I personally don't mind it.

11. Sunny Disposition featuring Scott Reynolds of ALL and 40Engine

Out of the three vocalists that the band ALL has had (Dave Smalley, Chad Price, and Reynolds), Scott is my favorite. There's something about his voice and his delievery (Check out Carnage, Wonder, and She's My Ex from his time with ALL) that immediately hooks me into any song he's on. This is such a good song, with really catchy, well written lyrics, and great guitar work.

12. When They Roam featuring Joey Cape of Lagwagon/Bad Astronaut

Lately Joey Cape's voice seems to always have a hint of pain in it, regardless of what he's singing. It could be age, or lingering sadness from the loss of one of his best friends a few years ago to suicide, but whatever is behind it, it's makes for quite an obvious change (if you're familiar with his music). Really into the pacing of everything on this track.

13. Print On Paper featuring Chris Demakes of Less Than Jake

The only thing missing from this track is some horns, otherwise a fun number.

14. Falling Out featuring Frank Daly of Big Drill Car

Can't say I'm familiar with Daly but just like with Jesse Cole earlier in the album, I will be looking his stuff up. This is a good song with great energy.

15. Silencer featuring Mark Vecchiarelli of Shades Apart

I could see a few different people handling vocal duties on this song, especially Chad Price, as it feels like something you'd find on Pummel or Mass Nerder, which is not a bad thing if you're familiar with those albums.

16. Willie Wicked featuring Abe Brennan of My Name/Wretch Like Me

The last track on the album packs a nice punch that is a perfect ending to a great album.

You can purchase the album here for $8.99