Full Circle

Back in 2001, Creed was on top of the music world. "My Sacrifice" was sitting on the top of the charts, and seemingly nothing could stop the juggernaut. Yet 3 years later...they were gone. Split up. Done for. Lead singer Scott Stapp did a solo album, and the remaining Creed members recruited a new singer and formed Alter Bridge. Alter Bridge found success as a harder Creed with a different voice at the front. Scott Stapp's album, although going platinum, was a dud in most people's opinion. All band members said Creed would never reform. Essentially, an Eagles "Hell Freezing Over" type of statement.

In 2008, however, rumors began to surface of a Creed reunion and tour. Then with news that Alter Bridge lead singer Myles Kennedy was going to work on Alter Bridge's third album, a reformed Creed seemed like a fairytale wish that never came true. Fans rejoiced however when Creed's website was re-launched in April of this year with a concert tour trailer and the words "Coming Summer 2009." Soon after the news of a tour surfaced, news came of a new Creed album as well. Talk about a dream come true. Creed was back, and was releasing new music to top it all off.

Fast forward to October, and here we have it: the Creed album that fans have waited 8 years for. And the kicker? Everybody from the original Creed lineup is back, and yes, that includes bassist Brian Marshall. Titled "Full Circle," the name of the album references Creed's full circle journey; breaking up and subsequently reuniting.

The first taste of new music, the album opener and first single "Overcome," is a welcome sound. The heaviest single Creed has ever released besides "Bullets," 'Overcome' is a guitar-driven song that showcases Mark Tremonti's master skills with a 6-string. Said to be a source of contention before the band's break-up, Tremonti goes wild on this album, ripping solos way more than he ever did on previous albums.

The next track, "Bread of Shame" is another prime example of the heavier-sounding Creed. Drummer Scott Phillips incorporates something never seen in a Creed CD...true double-bass kicks in the opening licks of the song. If you were a fan of Creed's heavier work like "What If", then the first two songs off the album are right down your alley. 'Promise me fame, and I'll survive on this bread of shame' sings Stapp, stabbing at fake Hollywood-type people, or just maybe himself as he was before the band broke up in 2004.

You know Creed can't go an entire album with a ballad...as their biggest hit was a ballad. "Arms Wide Open" was rock music's biggest ballad in the late 90's. Full Circle's third track 'A Thousand Faces' hearkens back to the "My Own Prison" days as Mark Tremonti sings backing vocals on this ballad.

Song #4 on Full Circle goes back to the heavy sound, and actually sounds like an Alter Bridge tune to me. Unfortunately a forgettable tune, "Suddenly" will appeal to the hardcore Creed fans.

Single number two off Full Circle, "Rain" is one of the lightest melodies on the album. Sounding very Staind-ish, Rain is sure to be a hit on the adult top 40 charts.

Keeping with the ballad mode, the next song "Away in Silence" just overdoes the soft ballad sound. Sounding very mainstream polished, it is another forgettable tune.

Track 7, named "Fear" is a nice hard rocker that demonstrates the new Creed sound. Mark Tremonti really shows his skills both in the main riff and guitar solo.

Starting off with the sounds of violins, another ballad surfaces in the next track "On My Sleeve." Actually a good ballad off the album, this one sounds like a chart topper. Varying between acoustic plucking and full-on distorted guitars during the chorus, this song is one of the better soft songs Creed has ever done.

Finally we come to the album's title track. "Full Circle" is a bluesy tune that sounds nothing quite like anything Creed has done before. Yet another quality song.

The tenth song "Time" sounds like Creed took a page right out of the 3 Doors Down playbook. "Time" sounds like it came right off 3DD's latest album, just with different vocals. I'm not saying that's necessarily bad, but Creed won't win any originality awards with critics.

The shining moment of the entire album is the 11th track. "Good Fight" sounds like Creed at its pinnacle. Featuring down-tuned grungy sounding guitars and lyrics that are made to inspire, "Good Fight" is quickly becoming one of my favorite Creed tunes of all time.

The album closer, "The Song You Sing" is a mid-tempo tune that is a fitting close to the CD. Following the same formula that made them famous, it starts off acoustically and rises in volume as the song progresses.

You have to give credit to Creed. Most bands this decade have flip-flopped through sounds like crazy, yet Creed sticks to their tried and true formula. Riding the unmistakable vocals of Scott Stapp and the electric guitar master himself, Mark Tremonti, 'Full Circle' is a competent album in today's flooded market of alternative rock and metal bands. Not their best effort of their career, it is damn good for a band that hasn't released new material in 8 years.

4 stars out of 5.