Creed � Weathered
Label: Wind-up Records
Rating: 
 

Creed fans have reason to feel satiated this holiday season with WEATHERED.  Along the way to super stardom and the Diamond-certified status of HUMAN CLAY, a band has to get a little weathered, but lest you become complacent Fred Durst, they are no worse for the wear.  The band returns to the rock arena and they are tight, tuned down and top drawer.  The CD has been at #1 for weeks on BILLBOARD's Albums Chart and it features Creed's new hit single "My Sacrifice" and many other treats for Creed fans.  

WEATHERED strives to turn up the volume on all elements of Creed's creative process.  The rockers are harder and the ballads are intricate with beautiful guitar solos, compliments of Mr. Mark Tremonti, that frame Stapp's voice like a gilded masterpiece.  There is an even mix of each in this collection, so for those who like one or the other, you won't be disappointed.  The metal assault of "Bullets" and the anthemic "Freedom Fighter" are in such contrast to the CD's ender � a soft tonic called "Lullaby" � that it is a testament to the band's range.  There were times when I was listening to this CD that I expected to hear primal screaming with the heavy guitars, but instead got Scott Stapp's powerful singing voice, which is a much more forceful combination (rap core bands take note).  

Among the little surprises on the CD is the eerie intro and ending to the track "Who's Got My Back?"  We get a glimpse inside Stapp's Cherokee heritage as guest Bo Taylor of the Museum of the Cherokee Indian chants a Cherokee prayer.  Another surprise was the fact that after the departure of Brian Marshall, bass duty was pulled by none other than the master of the thundering drop-d, Mark Tremonti.  Congrats to Mark on being a guitar god AND having clean bass lines.  Yeah baby!
 

Debbie Seagle is the Special Features Editor of the iconoFAN Network