Lost Generation, Degreed’s last release from 2019 got some mixed receptions from both media and fans when it came out – for some weird reason, I must say because I thought it was terrific. Because it was the third release in a row from that band that I really, really dug – Degreed (2017) and Dead But Not Forgotten (2015) were the other two – I decided I had to check out the band’s two first efforts as well. Life, Love, Loss (2011) and We Don’t Belong (2013) are both competent releases but none of them could hold a candle to the three following records – or singer Robin Eriksson’s solo debut under the Robin Red moniker for that matter. Well, Degreed’s three killer records are enough to make some big expectations following the release of their brand new album, their first at Frontiers.
Degreed opens with a total knock out, the leading single “Into The Fire”. It’s a Melodic Rock track for sure albeit with an inserted heaviness where the punch-hard rhythms, crunchy guitars and the organ creates a Hard Rock spark where the smoother vocal-melodies, captivating hooks and the monumental, immense chorus hits hard like a rock and floors me completely. Let’s just say the song didn’t lower my expectations for what’s to come. Magnificent! The hit-potential is enormous also in the following “Higher”, a more held-back number with more sparse and laid-back verses but grows into a monster in the AOR-Hard Rock blending refrain, a refrain that tickles all my boxes.
“Feed The Lie” brings on a way heavier approach with its ballsy riffage, thunderous rhythm-section and headbang-friendly outlook. It’s a kicking Arena Rock belter, big on hooks and a Melodic Rock chorus with enough catchiness to sell but it also sports a slight glance at Metal. It’s a real killer that knocked me for six and a tune that will do the trick from the stage. Awesome. “Radio” takes a turn towards plain AOR and holds calmer and a bit more low-key verses whereas the chorus is bombastic, fat and orchestrated inside a mastodon soundscape, colorful and brilliantly catchy with lots of pop-twists everywhere. It’s a bit pompous and delicate but it also takes a few spins to get used to for some reason.
The title-track throws a monster chorus our ways that just screams festival-summer. However, the tune builds up on slower and held-back verses with bluesy licks and a Classic Rock structure. The song continues rougher and edgier on a big Hard Rock foundation and the guitar-keyboard duel in the solo passage is phenomenal. Good shit. “Burning” is a rowdy rocker, quite heavy with driven guitars and an intense rhythm. It’s a down n’ dirty Hard Rock cruncher with another kick-ass refrain – very effective and striking. Good. Starting off smooth and even down-beat, the single “Falling Down” is a slow-burner that changes path into an upbeat, punchy and in-your-face rocker that holds both rough-edged guitars and orchestrated keyboards. The chorus is spot-on and blends old 80’s AOR with a modern touch – and it could very well become a rock-radio hit. Very good.
The uptempo rocker “Lost In Paradise” is a straight ahead hard-rocker with an upbeat groove that throws in both pomp-rock and AOR into the Hard Rock foundation of the song which also contains some pop-rock touches, especially in the massive chorus. The symphonic keyboards puts a smooth blanket over the groovy and punchy beats and fierce guitars with a monster chorus that holds you by the neck and never lets go. Superb! With “Turn Back” it’s ballad-time, a softie in a slow pace built largely on an 80’s sounding keyboard and piano. The chorus is bigger and shows a large and quite bombastic soundscape and a hook so sharp it leaves scars. This is total 80’s balladry, catchy as damn. Great.
The shit hits the fan – in a good way – when “We Will Win” brings up the tension, speed and aggression with some ballsy riffing clothed in Metal and a rhythm-section here to beat you up. It’s really an in-your-face, on-your-case rocker, very live-friendly – this could be a future concert opener, a can’t-stand-still number for sure that explodes with an intense and effective refrain. Very good indeed. Closing track “Desire” is a mid-tempo rocker, rhythmic with groovy bass-lines, crunchy guitars with pop-laden guitar-lines with an edgy, earthy vibe but also holds some Melodic Rock flirting vocal-melodies. Effing brilliant, this.
To sum it up, this is a smash album and the nine is very, very close – Degreed’s best effort to date without a doubt. Fact is, the only thing that makes this a very strong eight instead of a nine is the production that I find a too compressed and thick but based on song quality, this is all killer, no filler all the way through. Add a great singer with a wide range and feel and damn good musicians and we have a winning formula. In a fair world Degreed would have reached headline status by now especially with a record like this out. If you haven’t given this lot a chance by now, it’s about bloody time you do so now. Splendid!
8/10
More Degreed reviews:
Dead But Not Forgotten
Degreed
Lost Generation
Tracklist:
1. Into The Fire
2. Higher
3. Feed The Lie
4. Radio
5. Are You Ready
6. Burning
7. Falling Down
8. Lost In Paradise
9. Turn Back
10. We Will Win
11. Desire
CD & Festival reviews 