DEGREED – Public Address

DEGREED - Public Address cover art
  • 5.8/10
    DEGREED - Public Address - 5.8/10
5.8/10

Summary

Label: Frontiers Music Srl
Release date: July 7, 2023

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With nothing to do during the COVID-19 pandemic, Swedish Melodic Rock band Degreed began working on their sixth studio album, Are You Ready (2022). Pleased with the results, they took inspiration from that album and recorded the follow-up album, Public Address. The band’s sound is contemporary Melodic Hard Rock. Since their debut album, Life, Love, Loss (2010), Degreed have consistently put out new music and the band continues to grow with each passing release.

“We’re stoked to get these songs out for you to hear. I think we’ve made a massive album in terms of the songs, but also in terms of sound. It’s been a few months of hard work, but looking back at it now, while listening to the result, it’s been well worth it. I can’t wait to hear what you guys think of this one!” said Mats Eriksson in a press release.

The Good and the Bad

First of all, the riffs on Public Address are excellent. Daniel Johansson is an outstanding guitar player and he does some wailing solos on the album. His solo on “Who Are You (To Say)” is exceptionally brilliant. That track alone is a fast-paced, in-your-face rocker. “Big Plans,” the album’s first single, is melodic and catchy. “Ride Along” is another standout track because it’s perfect for riding down a highway on a motorcycle; it’s one of those headbanging tunes. “This is Love” leans more into Pop territory, but it works and Robin Eriksson delivers a heartfelt vocal performance on that one.

As for the negatives, some of the lyrics are generic and cliché. Tracks like “Resist the Urge” and “Don’t Be a Stranger” are difficult to sit through because of that. The bass guitar is also soft in the mix, which is a shame because Public Address is a good modern-sounding album. The drums, vocals, keyboards, and guitars sound fantastic on this album. Heck, the keyboard parts aren’t overdone, which is greatly appreciated. Almost everyone gets their chance to shine, except for the bass player.

Final Assessment

Degreed’s seventh album, Public Address, is a good album, but it’s not a great album. Half of the songs are memorable and catchy, while the other half of the songs fall flat.

Album Tracklist

  1. Big Plans
  2. Who Are You (To Say)
  3. The Way of the World
  4. This is Love
  5. Ride Along
  6. Free Again
  7. Resist the Urge
  8. Don’t Be a Stranger
  9. A Safe Place
  10. No One
  11. For You
  12. Pressure

Band Lineup

Robin Eriksson – bass guitar and lead vocals
Mats Eriksson – drums
Mikael Blanc – keyboards
Daniel Johansson – guitars

Author

  • Lana Teramae

    Lana is a reviewer at Metal Express Radio from Honolulu, Hawaii. She's always had a passion for music, but she didn't get into Hard Rock and Heavy Metal music until she discovered Rick Allen's story in the summer of 2019. She was inspired by his determination to play drums for Def Leppard again after losing his left arm in a car accident. From there, her tastes expanded to other bands such as AC/DC, Bon Jovi, Metallica, Judas Priest, Saxon, Cinderella, and Overkill. Aside from listening to music, she loves watching YouTube and writing on her personal blog.

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