ALTER BRIDGE
"One
Day Remains" (Wind-up; 2004)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
I know it's hip to hate Creed, but I never really did. I certainly understood the complaints of those who did, however, with the band generating radio hit after radio hit, but it just never bothered me. I wasn't a huge Creed fan, but I didn't wish the band would go away, either.
Regardless, as time marched on, I was aware that the band's music was starting to sound like more and more like everything else out there. Whether this was because Creed couldn't break out of that mold or because other bands were mimicking their obviously successful sound can be debated but, especially on their more recent records, there was nothing that truly set Creed apart.
Then Scott Stapp left the band and the rest of Creed decided to go on without him (with Myles Kennedy at the mic) ... as Alter Bridge ... and the band has released "One Day Remains."
What makes "One Day Remains" so welcome is that the band didn't just record a new Creed album with a new singer. Instead, they revitalized their music and, for the most part, the music on "One Day Remains" is heavier than most Creed tracks. It's also fresher and more varied than recent Creed releases and yet keeps that radio-friendly attitude mostly intact. New vocalist Myles Kennedy seems to have a greater range than Stapp does and that's a plus as well.
You know things are going to be fine when the opening track, "Find the Real," starts the CD off with a rousing, driving pulse. And, although "One Day Remains" really never gets better than that first track, there are several fiery cuts along the way, including "Metalingus," "Down to My Last" and "Watch Your Words." There are some workable ballads here as well ... and a couple that don't work at all. And a few of the tracks sound like Creed rejects (but are never so bad you'll find yourself reaching for the "next" button).
Overall, "One Day Remains" sounds like a new start for the band formerly known as Creed. Here's to hoping they can escape the unfairly maligned destiny of their first incarnation and continue delivering albums this strong and better.
Alter Bridge: Myles Kennedy – Vocals, Guitar; Brian Marshall – Bass; Scott Phillips – Drums; Mark Tremonti – Guitar, Vocals.
For more information, check out http://www.alterbridge.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.
Copyright © 2005 by R. Scott Bolton. All rights
reserved.
Revised: 20 Nov 2008 01:30:37 -0600.
