Review: Creed – 'Full Circle'
Posted: October 27th , 2009
Contributed By: Nick
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Purchase @ iTunes Creed-‘Overcome’ Release Date: October 29, 2009 on Wind-Up Records |
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Creed are: Scott Stapp (vocals) |
Produced by: Howard Benson
Knowledge: Think Nickelback sales during the peak of the music industry. That’s Creed. ‘Full Circle’ marks the reunion of Creed’s four original members, their first album together in a decade.
Turn-Ons: Creed hit the ground running in the fast lane with the assertive “Overcome”, barking with signature Mark Tremonti flair then settling into layer upon layer of dripping harmony. Producer Howard Benson really does a magical job of concealing that gritty, coarse redneck in Scott Stapp’s voice (think “YEAH!”). Thank(god)fully by doing so, “Overcome” comes kicking like an old school Pearl Jam tune, a bold statement proved by its bridge. The grand finale of “Overcome” is ravishing, as Stapp belts out a final cry of “overcome!” that melts into the song’s very first groove. Had Sevendust made a studio recording in 1998 (between their 1997 debut and 1999’s ‘Home’), it would most likely sound like “Bread of Shame”, another slugger that keeps Creed’s brass-knuckle modern-rock engine burning. Scott Phillips pays homage to fellow drum talent Morgan Rose, opening things up a bit from the second pre-chorus onward, then icing a smooth hi-hat/bass drum dance. The angelic and delicate guitar playing in “A Thousand Faces” guides Stapp’s husky yet determined delivery in and out of its wondrous choruses. Abound with genius key changes and dynamics, “A Thousand Faces” almost transcends Creed times, sounding as if you were set free like a bird into the sky each and every time. With a rhythmic pattern that copied the homework of Creed’s “One”, “Rain” is solid start at recapturing their top 40 fan-base. Although “Rain” is incredibly cheesy, the snap of Scott Phillips’s snare HITS, ala Matt Taul’s snare used on Tantric’s 2001 eponymous debut. Wow the riff from “Fear” is dirty. How could you not like something like that-a Tremonti meets Clint Lowery riff assault with triplets sprinkled in for good measure? “Fear” sizzles with a sort of bubbling-under-the-surface feel adding a cool dynamic. Lucky song seven loves to indulge, choosing choruses sweetly coated with early 90’s pop and a bridge that can’t say no to a tall, ice cold, crisp, refreshing drink from Creed’s fountain of youth, which is pretty much as good as that sounds. “Fear” is an unquestioned standout of ‘Full Circle’, with a sleeper chorus that you should not…. Creed decide to rock the title track of ‘Full Circle’ like emcees, throwing down a deep pocket of syncopated groove and glamorous, melodic mood that keeps you bouncing hypnotically. “Full Circle” is poetically gifted, and while it may not have rhymes, it certainly captures luminous chemistry between Tremonti and the two Scotty’s. And Brian’s bass keeps the song’s rolling flowing, never slowing, always going, like the name of this song, “Full Circle” stays strong all along.
Turn-Offs: “Suddenly” is just average, as Scott Stapp’s caterwauling of “my breath!” does nothing but help sink the ship faster. I know what Creed are trying to do with “On My Sleeve”-create a faux-epic rock tune aided by symphony and woven with dramatics and theatrics. But at the end of the day, Creed’s take on things do little to excite. The neat ambiance of “Time” was unfortunately washed away in the wave of Scott Stapp’s brutal delivery early on, a loss that arrived too soon before the 3:35 mark of “Time” to really matter actually. Picking on the single, I must say that the “Oh me!” belted out by Stapp in “Rain” at the bridge’s end is the only disastrous vocal moment he has on “Full Circle”. However with “Away in Silence”, Creed and The Great S. Stapp force us to relive that hideous image we’d all love to forget-Stapp, standing one-leg out at the edge of a windswept cliff at sunset, singing basically anything. So, with that in mind, beware your steps through “Away in Silence”, a track surprisingly worth dealing with for the sexy snare drum sound; for a little bit.
King: “Full Circle”
Queen: “Overcome”
FAIL: “Away in Silence”
Cool Points: Scott Phillips is one of the most underrated yet most skilled drummers out there. Not only are his accents precise, his triple strokes are flawless, and his sense of rhythm is enviable. Mark Tremonti makes a statement for himself on “Full Circle”, proving he not only wants to be heard as a great guitarist but as a great songwriter too. Howard Benson has been spitting out albums at a dizzying pace the past couple years. Not to fear, as “Full Circle” is easily one of Benson’s best works from 2009 proving there’s no slowing down for the self-proclaimed “king of ballads”.
Moral of the Story: I think a lot of people either don’t realize (or won’t realize) that underneath all the negative stigmas and stereotypes that come with being an international sensation, Creed were and are a really tight band. And now that the dust has settled and Creed has much of the spotlights of their past turned the other way, you’ll be able to hear Creed as they do-a group of four talented musicians that jams the hell out of twelve great rock tunes collectively titled ‘Full Circle’.
TuneLab Rating: 9.5 out of 10
71 Comments
I don’t analyze cd’s when I listen to them. As long as the lyrics are good and not full of swear words or anti-God then I am more than likely going to like it. I was sure that Strypers “Murder by Pride” was going to be album of the year but Skillet beat that out and now Creed has as well. And that’s coming from a guy who’s favorite band of all time is Stryper
I don’t who Stryper is, but it’s pretty easy to beat that new skillet album. It’s so soft and weak sounding. There is nothing that draws any of my attetion away from other bands I like. And I liked their last release too. So for Creed to beat that, not hard to do. I’m sure the Stryper album is better than a 5/10?
I love when someone says “HA, only and 8/10 for me” then explains how boring and aweful the album is.
Really? 8/10 is that aweful? I think we need to define the rating system here. I would think 8/10 would be very solid. I Guess 8/10 really means “boring” and sometimes even terrible.
Im outdated and old, so what do I know. Anything less than a 9 is now a pretty bad album? Hope nobody comes here and reads the reviews of people who post ratings like that.
Id give this album a 1.5/10. I think its one of the albums of the year. Id give it a 1, but it has some flaws. Or do I mean 8.5/10, Im all confused. Anyways, good album!
When some people say 8, they are comparing to other albums. 8/10 would be like good music but not original and somethings bother you.
It’s seems kind of rediculous to bash someone who rates or gives THEIR opinion of an album. Not everyone has the same taste in music and some like bands and their music more than other bands. Everyone has their own taste in music and it’s totally a matter of their own opinion. All I do know is that Stapp must have a pretty good voice if Creed has sold so many albums. By the way Alter Bridge is also one of my favorite bands, it’s alright to like both.
Also I’m going to strongly agree with chosen one and say this is a very strong album lyrically. If you listen to the words in many of the songs you can tell Stapp is sorry for his mistakes and is now trying to be a better person, which is all you can ask for. People learning from their mistakes in life and becoming a better person for it. Great album musically and lyrically…IN MY OPINION.
I’ve listened to this cd practically non stop since getting it and it just keeps getting better and bette. I still stand by comment on the album lyrically. This is a very remorseful album and a man who has messed up (like everyone) who is sorry. Seems like a consenus that the “weak song” is Away in Silence. I like it. That’s a song of forgiveness to his wife. This band is much stronger and Creed is back with a vengence
I agree much more aggressive effort, but still if they get rid of Stapp, or if Stapp gets rid of his voice, then you know, this might be a 9.
TNB, one more Stapp remark and you’ll be forced to listen to Fitty-Cent while holding your manhood.
BTW, I was not bashing someone for giving their ratings so much as I was stating I dont understand the ratings of some people. Id personaly think 8 is a pretty damn good score out of 10. But then some people go on to describe their “8″ and it sounds more like a “4″. I was just making a joke out of it, not bashing anyone Shinepack.
Hmmm.. I liked it, 9.5 no, but 8-8.5 probably. I have no problem with Stapp’s voice just him being a douche every once in awhile. I probably will like anything with Tremonti rippin the strings tho, he is awesome. And Freak, no more mentioning Stapp for me, I hate holding my manhood and love Fitty….. errr, that was meant the other way around.. my bad!
That’s actually a pretty terrible thought. Considering I once bought a 50cent cd just so I could burn it.
Just read a norwegian review. They gave it 2/6. Ridiculous. But this genre is’n so popular here, so I was’nt surprised.
I say, after many a listen, my final rating is 7/10. I really like “Overcome”, “Bread of Shame” and “A Thousand Faces”. My notable liked but not loved songs “Rain” and “Fear” and “Full Circle”. Can’t stand the rest. 2/6 is quite a bit too low.
Eh, I personally didn’t like this album as much as you Nick and I can’t be objective enough to agree with such a high review for something I don’t like. However, really great review and thanks a ton for doing it. Although, I no longer like you at all anymore because I just realized you gave FBINS an 8/10……WHAT?!
I’ll give Full Circle 8/10. I love the drop tunings (Drop B, A sharp even sometimes!!) throughout the WHOLE ALBUM…something Creed has NEVER DONE (they were primarily a Drop D band back in the day), although we know Tremonti & Co. did much of this in Alter Bridge. I think Howard Benson is a BAMF as a producer, and that Chris Lord-Alge did a great job with the mix (as usual), my only gripe being that sometimes the vocal seems a hair too low.
Tremonti’s vocals on “A Thousand Faces” are well fitting and show his own singing skill (that high note in the bridge is him), and nice to hear the dual-vocal choruses again, a la “My Own Prison.”
Favorite tracks: “Overcome,” “Bread of Shame,” “A Thousand Faces” (love it–strongest song on the album!!), “Fear,” “On My Sleeve,” “Full Circle.”
Less-than-stellar: “Away in Silence,” “Good Fight” (sounds most like old Creed to me, although the bridge riff kicks ass!), “The Song You Sing.”
Overall it’s clearly a Creed album, but to me something feels a little different. There is noticeable growth on this album, just listen to Human Clay and Full Circle right next to each other and you’ll see what I mean. Even Stapp at times sounds like he learned how to sing without clenched teeth…LOL.
I just can’t get enough of this album. I listen to it pretty much everyday.
Okay. Cool. You like Creed. I will respect that. I hope you respect my opinion.
Creed is the most astonishingly, mindblowingly awful band I have ever heard. They are so ridiculously, horrifically full of unwarranted self-important angst and pretension with their slimeball raspyvoiced half-assed-attempt-at rock. They are not a rock band. They are not even pop. They have such little intuition, personality, originality, creativity or any intelligence or entertaining, interesting, or at least some fucking variety that they are effectively genreless. Perhaps they can be labeled ‘anti-music’. They are the complete polar opposite of art, entertainment and talent. I believe that all members of their pathetically shallow music (music that has the force and emotion of a wet, slimy strand of peyote found within the innards of the most neglected compost bin, by the way) should slap themselves. I would if I made this type of music.
Thank You. I give all thankful wishes of fruitfulness to all fans.
to RhonduMcphee:why would you even be moron enough to log into a cd review that’s rating a cd of a band that you despise so much to begin with?? obviously it was to simply be a troll…are you like what…6 or 7 years old?? anyway,it seems to me that alot of reviewers commenting here,never cared for creed or for Stapp for that matter.strange to even attempt to review a cd of a band one never liked to begin with.all that’s doing is venting steam..venting the dislike one has.i don’t consider those types of reviews (from what appears to be creed haters form the start)any kind of legitamacy.i enjoy this cd as much as i do all of their other cd’s of the past.
Rondu McPhuck, you must listen to classical music or something, Mark Tremonti is the only guitarist to be called Guitarist of the year by guitar world magazine three times, that has to count for something. So you can suck a fat dick as far as I’m concerned. Now on to my review. I have owned all of the previous Creed and Alter Bridge albums, and enjoy both of their musics thoroughly. I feel that on this album, Scott Stapps voice is aging a little bit, especially live. I feel that a fair rating would be a 8.9 out of 10. Very good album, but has its weak points. It is definitely an album that you can listen to from start to finish, a lot like the previous Creed albums. You can really tell that Creed has greatly matured as musicians and songwriters alike. 8.9 out of 10.
Troy……You call Stapp a douche?!! You know nothing about Him, Scott has really come Full Circle, He’s more humble and the nicest guy you’d ever meet! If you have met Scott in person,especially the last few years, you’d Know He’s turn His life around and that He’s a super Guy married to a beautiful Women that has really done Scott a lot of Good! So don’t you dare bash Scott at all.