Leeroy Stagger — Everything Is Real

Everything Is Real

Rebeltone

Sheena Lyonnais (CHARTattack)

04/30/2009 1:04pm

Leeroy Stagger looks like there should be a movie made about him. He's got that rugged British Columbia vibe, reiterated in the album art of his fourth disc, Everything Is Real. He looks like a man with secrets, like he's been travelling for months and hasn't had time to shower or shave.

It's the stories behind these images that are put to songs in the form of "Snowing In Nashville" and "Hell Of A Life." While at times he reminds me of Jeremy Fisher, other songs, like the title track, lose the acoustic alt-country/folk feel and actual punk up some. He also gets help from some high-profile friends including Steve Bays (Hot Hot Heat), Bobby Furgo (from Leonard Cohen's backing band) and Neal Casal (Ryan Adams & The Cardinals).

It's an honest release and he thanks sobriety for his newfound direction, all the while using his past vices for lyrical inspiration, which may be why this record is such a success.

Stagger is a true songwriter and something tells me he has much bigger things in store. Whatever he does, I hope he never stops telling stories.