It sounds almost unbelievable but this is Steve Augeri’s first solo album! Excluding some individual tracks previously released via the well-known digital platforms, here we have a bunch of eleven amazing AOR/melodic rock tracks; actually, these songs are definitely among the best that Augeri has ever written and performed. It might sound like an exaggeration or something – given the singer’s brilliant CV – but believe me, it’s the truth. So, the former singer of Tall Stories, Tyketto and of course Journey might have took his time to release a solo album but the wait was not only worth it but he pleasantly surprised us all, especially given that it almost came out of nowhere…
“Seven Ways ‘Til Sunday” is a flawless album full of well-crafted AOR compositions. It is an album that does not care about fashions, modern productions and experimentation. Augeri knows very well, after all, what the fans want from him and he followed his logic as well as his heart. The record sounds like it was recorded at the beginning of the 21st century with a warm production (if we exclude “Drive” which has been remixed), with various pop/rock, melodic rock, country rock elements that make the final result even better and more varied . The compositional contribution of Neal Schon on “Desert Moon” and Jonathan Cain on “Never Far From Home” leaves behind an inevitable Journey touch that is only welcome by all of us. Especially the second one is for me personally one of the two highlights of the record as it reminds me a lot of Rod Stewart (the other is “If You Want” not on;y because it is a great song but due to the fact of an impressive saxophone part in there for good measure).
I am especially glad that Steve Augeri is back in the studio and in the summer he is preparing a big tour with Bret Michaels, Night Ranger and others. Real AOR music needs Augeri and I hope he has regained his interest in recording new music since “Seven Ways ‘Til Sunday” is an excellent album in every way.
Highlight: Augeri’s band that recorded the album consists of members of the legendary Valentine…
