Review of Scott Stapp 'The Great Divide'

Creed a band that divide hard rock/metal fans during the 90's, fans either loved them or hated them for their grunge lite rock sound, personally I found them to be a guilty pleasure. Creed were the right band at the right time, filling in the gap left abandoned by then recent break ups of Alice In Chains and Soundgarden respectivally, at least to the uninformed and less observant rock fan.

Scott Stapp's solo debut is Stapp unrestrained, which is not a good thing. The songs are like cast off Creed songs and Stapp over indulges in vocal historics. The lyrics sound like bad poetry written by a high schooler who just got out of 12 step program.

The self pity and self righteousness Mr Stapp displays in the lyrics are something to behold as the opening lines to the first song show:
welcome my friends/I have nothing left to hide/The journey's end has left a mark inside
and this is just one example. While I am sure this album served as therapeutic healing it is not that much fun to listen to.

The musicianship on the album is not bad, and the songs are ok, unfortunately the backing band isn't able to establish their own identity and sound almost identical to Stapp's former lotion boys. Like I stated earlier the songs sound like Creed cast offs, no song stands out and nor does any performance from the band which included unknowns John Curry and Aristides Rincon on guitars, Mitch Burman on bass and Mark Archer on drums. Two of the songs on this disc even try to repeat the formula of such successful Creed songs like 'Higher' and 'With Arms Open Wide' .The songs in question 'Surround Me' and 'Broken' are not as good and are as deep as shallow water.

If you are longing for the authentic Creed sound check out Alter Bridge, who frankly are better than Creed ever were. I am not counting Scott Stapp down and out just yet, and hope he has better luck next time.

You're much braver than I...the first Creed songs I heard convinced me they were the worst band on the planet. Although, that title was later taken away by Nickleback.

detuned wrote:

You're much braver than I...the first Creed songs I heard convinced me they were the worst band on the planet. Although, that title was later taken away by Nickleback.

My thoughts exactly.

I love Creed, I think all three lp's are top shelf. Scott should've joined up w/Riders on the Storm, thought he did a great job on the few Doors covers I heard.

his name makes me think of a dlido.

candlemass wrote:

I love Creed, I think all three lp's are top shelf. Scott should've joined up w/Riders on the Storm, thought he did a great job on the few Doors covers I heard.

I am Creed fan also, but to suggest that Scott Stapp replace the irreplaceable Jim Morrison is pure blasphemy.

I didn't mind the first Creed album too much, but from that point forward it went downhill quickly. But, compared to Nickelback and various other Nickeback-sounding bands that infest rock radio nowadays, they are Mozart.

I blame Creed for paving the way for Nickelback.

tohostudios wrote:

I blame Creed for paving the way for Nickelback.

I agree with your statement Toho, but Nickleback make Creed sound like Led Zeppelin in comparison.

While I can't stand Nickelback, they have a song here and there that I find OK. I don't like any Creed songs. But then, this is like comparing two noxious odors and trying to figure out which one stinks less.

He's good at the style he does...

Not a Creed or Stapp fan at all.

candlemass wrote:

I love Creed, I think all three lp's are top shelf. Scott should've joined up w/Riders on the Storm, thought he did a great job on the few Doors covers I heard.

I think all Creed releases are top shelf as well. One of my favorite bands ever. Not one bad song IMO. I have heard this cd Manny and i don't like it either. Way too much similarity going on. Scott didn't do anything on his own and really tried to copy what got him successful. What he didn't have though is Mark Tremonti's songwriting.