Music Review: Creed - Full Circle

Genre: Rock
Label: Wind-Up Records
Release Date: October 27, 2009

Rating: 3.5/5

Do you have that one band that happened to come along at just the right time in your life that they ended up having a huge impact on you? Their songs really connected with you in that moment, allowing them to take on meanings not necessarily there for others. Sure, you enjoyed the music, but it was about much more than the music itself for you.

For me, that band was Creed.

Ok, done with the snickering yet? No? Ok, go ahead, get it out.

You got a joke that involves the phrase “arms wide open?” Something about getting “higher?” Believe me; I agree a lot of the mocking is deserved by Mr. Stapp. But hear me out.

Creed’s My Own Prison, released back in 1997, was a fantastic album that a lot of people have never heard. Songs like “My Own Prison,” “What’s This Life For,” and “Torn” hit me like a ton of bricks. Stapp used to be able to write amazing lyrics that explored spiritual struggles piercingly. The subsequent Human Clay and Weathered were trashed by many critics despite the vast commercial success. I maintained a soft spot for the guys, but it was mostly sentimental, as I didn’t really connect with those albums.

Fast forward 6 years. Stapp released a pretty pathetic solo album, while the other three band members joined with Myles Kennedy to form Alter Bridge, which revealed some pretty stellar musicians had been backing Stapp all that time. Mark Tremonti’s guitar chops shone on AB’s two albums (One Day Remains and Blackbird). On top of that, Kennedy was a welcomed respite from Stapp’s self-importance and increasingly-annoying vocals. Not to mention he’s a much better singer.

Now, Tremonti, Scott Phillips (drums), and Brian Marshall (bass) have teamed back up with Stapp on Full Circle, Creed’s “comeback” album. The guys have clearly progressed as musicians and are given a little more room to shine this time by Stapp, but it’s just not enough to overcome Stapp’s bombastic tone and increasingly simplistic lyrics. The spiritual struggle apparently satisfied, Stapp is left with little poetic imagery to draw from.

Not that the album is without highlights. In fact, I’d say it’s their best album since MOP. “Overcome” is a solid opener that gives Tremonti plenty of room to shine on his solo. He’s given similar opportunities on “A Thousand Faces” and “The Song You Sing.” He doesn’t have the amount of freedom clearly there with AB, but his ability to write solid hard rock guitar riffs that fit within verses is also well done on this album. His technical skill is fantastic. Other favorites I had on the album were the second single “Rain,” “On My Sleeve,” “Full Circle,” and “Time.”

Musically, some of these songs would have fit well on an Alter Bridge album, and I really think the problem is Stapp’s voice. While he’s toned down his over-the-top style on some of the tunes, which I appreciate, I just would have loved to hear Kennedy singing them instead (the guys are going into the studio to complete Alter Bridge’s third album very soon as they intend to keep both bands going). I just can’t take some of the strained, pretentious vocalizations Stapp produces.

Bottom line is this: This is a very talented band of musicians that suffered a backlash from their own success. It doesn’t matter what they do now to some. There are lifetime condescending haters at this point. Stapp’s just annoying, and this album isn’t going to convince many people otherwise. This is a shame, because Mark Tremonti is one of the better rock guitarists of our generation (check out AB’s two albums and their live DVD – amazing).

If you liked Stapp before, you’ll probably find this album very good. If not, at least you’ll get to use some more of your jokes again.