Creed : 'Full Circle'
Released: Out Now!!!
Label: Wind-Up Records
After a long period of falling out, side projects, solo careers and bad blood Creed have put the past behind them and reformed to produce their sixth studio album, aptly titled Full Circle. Unfortunately their time apart has apparently done little to enhance their sound. The crass “grunge” power ballads remain, as does frontman Scott Stapp's overly sycophantic and indulgent lyrics. Granted, there are several tracks that show some sign of improvement, yet these are sadly lost amongst a plethora of tacky filler.
What has always been Creed's biggest problem is their intensity and lack of subtlety. Despite possessing a good musical basis and some very talented members, they choose instead to take the over the top route to emotion. It is no different with Full Circle, opener “A Thousand Faces” beginning with trademark acoustic guitar, standard 4/4 drumming and Stapp's intense vocals. Whilst innocent taken singularly, combined each element is accentuated to produce an insincere representation of that what they are supposedly trying to aim for.
This is also the case when they step away from the power ballad. Curiously titled “Bread Of Shame” begins with a riff more at home on a Korn album, pinch harmonics and growling guitars abound. Yet amidst this, their undoubtedly heartfelt message feebly attempts to peek through, instead being trampled by the mammoth guitaring. A chorus comprising “Bread of shame” for the vast majority does little to ease the struggle, and as Mark Tremonti throws in a typical solo there is little left to do but scratch one's head.
What is so frustrating is that they have the capabilities to strike the balance perfectly. “On My Sleeve” is a commendable power ballad that, if dialled down on the intensity a tad, would make a near perfect song. With an enchanting guitar riff and a patient build up to a rousing chorus, Stapp shows restraint whilst remaining passionate and convincing. Despite the presence of the same domineering drumming and basic structure, an added finesse means the elements marry together perfectly, as opposed to debatably.
Yet these glimpses of glory are sadly few and far between. Following track “Overcome” reverts back to the emotional sledgehammer approach as Stapp bellows his was through another chorus about “pain” and “suffering” whilst Tremonti adds another finger twisting solo to a track that is supposedly a ballad. To create such disproportionate and melodramatic music is one thing, but to persist when there is the evident ability to do otherwise is nothing short of exasperating.
And that is perhaps the best summation of Full Circle and indeed Creed themselves. Whilst they are without question a very talented band, their insistence on hyperbolic, insincere emotion and gratuitous intensity overshadows their skills and gives them an undeserved bad name. Whilst the album has flashes of brilliance, they are swept away in a sea of cliches and emotional muscle flexing. It has always seemed that Creed have had a point to prove, be it to themselves or to others, and until this is no longer the case their music will ultimately pay the price.
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