This was not something I was expecting to be released right now. With the huge buzz around the (admittedly massive) Creed reunion, a solo release from their frontman didn’t seem like it was on the cards. However, here we are! I have enjoyed his solo stuff to this point, and having checked out the lead single off this already, I think we’re in for something great. Let’s dive in!
Speaking of the title track, it’s up first! The heavy, chunky riff certainly reminds me of some of Creed’s earlier, heavier stuff; it definitely has a Tremonti-style to it. Scott’s voice is very much back on top form, coming in perfectly over the top with an awesome verse melody. It’s early 2000s radio/dad rock in all the best ways. It all builds up to a HUGE, catchy, arena-filling chorus. It was pretty expected given his back catalogue, but the chorus is definitely up there with some of his best. Some of his cadence and vocal delivery throughout is also a lot of fun, full of emotion and attitude. We almost get a breakdown in the middle too, building up to a huge riff. It’s a fantastic song, and one that easily makes our playlist. What a great start!
‘Deadman’s Trigger’ opens on an equally ch0nky riff, setting a steady pace and sludgy tone. It almost gives off Black Stone Cherry vibes as much as anything else, which certainly isn’t a bad thing! It’s a great verse, Scott Stapp ‘s voice again sounding fantastic, and it builds once again into a massive chorus. It goes up for it, feeling almost uplifting in its tone. It’s interesting, given that it contrasts pretty perfectly with the lyrics. We get some awesome lead guitar work in the middle, if anything it being far too brief. A final huge chorus then takes us home. It’s another incredible song, and the second of two to make it onto our Spotify!
The first album track, ‘When Love is Not Enough’, slows things down a little. I LOVE the acoustic guitar tone from the intro, and everything builds over the top of it perfectly to create an amazing soundscape. Stapp’s vocals fit just as well over the top of this as it does the heavy stuff. It gets a tad heavier for the typically massive chorus, the distorted guitar coming in over the top and adding a great layer. However, it stays at a slower, introspective pace and tone. We get another awesome guitar solo in the middle, this one getting a bit more time to shine. It fit the tone and feel of the track perfectly. Then a final chorus, with some awesome vocal work from Scott, finishes off another amazing track.
‘What I Deserve’ is another slower track, and my god is it beautiful and full of emotion. The subdued verse explodes into an epic, almost power metal chorus that is going to be stuck in my head for weeks to come. That chorus alone got the track on our playlist, but the rest of the song serves as the perfect build to it all. And that bridge riff and solo, damn, tasty. What an incredible song. Easily my favourite off the album, and that’s saying a lot!
The amazing Dorothy lends her amazing vocals to ‘If These Walls Could Talk’. Their voices compliment each other perfect, and it’s a truly beautiful duet. Their harmonies together in the choruses are incredible, especially that last one. The track as a whole is closer to a acoustic-country ballad than a rock one, but it’s a really great track. The emotion throughout is powerful and the minimalist instrumentation all compliment it perfectly. Yet another phenomenal track on this album.
‘Black Butterfly’ finally brings the heavy back in a big way with that awesome riff. It follows the early formula of the lower verse and then massive, heavier choruses. However, it’s so good that it’s hardly a complaint. The lead guitaring throughout this entire track is amazing, too. Especially that Egyptian scale in the middle. It’s a tad standard in terms of the arrangement and feel, but it’s still a fantastic track.
The same could be said about the following track, ‘Quicksand’. It’s a great track, but another that follows the radio-rock formula to a tee. Meanwhile, the final three tracks are ballads. All three are not only amazing songs, but equally beautiful and incredible well written. ‘You’re Not Alone’ in particular has some hugely emotional and well delivered. However, that shouldn’t take away from the other two tracks, with ‘Weight of the World’ being a very good, grandiose closer. Don’t get me wrong, I kinda wish they’d have had another heavier one in the middle of the two, as ‘Dancing in the Rain’ is maybe the most average track on the album. However, all three are still good, with the first and last one being AMAZING. Damn, what an album.
Overall: This is a really great album. As you can tell, I’m a fan of Creed and Scott Stapp in general, but this was honestly better than I was expecting. There isn’t a bad track on it, and every single one had me bobbing along in enjoyment. As stated previously, my only one point is that I’d have maybe preferred one more heavier track in among the last few. However, they’re all still insanely solid songs, and they fit the tone and pacing of the album perfect, so it really is a minor gripe. I’ll be listening to this a lot in the coming weeks, and only hope that it isn’t a sign that we won’t get new Creed music in the future!
The Score: 9/10