Creed - Human Clay
Grade: B+
By Jess Redmon
 Creed shed their skin and leave their own prison to release the compelling and soul-searching sophomore effort, "Human Clay." On "My Own Prison," Creed introduced a
modern hard rock edge built upon a foundation of grunge radio-friendly anthems. A
heartfelt spiritual yearning always underlined their songs, but only now in "Human Clay"
have they found in themselves the way to express their spiritual and emotional
exploration. The background hard rock that was pleasant easy-listening with "My Own
Prison" is gone and in its place comes a deeply encompassing journey of heavy,
confronting dark rock, manipulating and directed guitar assaults and an aura of
importance and self-exploration in Scott Stapp's spiritual pilgrimage. "Human Clay" has
the Eastern soul-searching vibe of former tour mates The Tea Party on songs like "Are
You Ready?" and "Faceless Man." The songs sonically bring a dense intensity that
penetrate and imprint the soul with a tortured, heartfelt and emotionally compelling
experience. "Higher" and "With Arms Wide Open" are two of the tracks on "Human Clay"
that bring a feel-good innocence. "Higher" uses inspiring guitar tones and Stapp's steady
voice to carefully hug the soul with its musical equivalent of a shining vision of heaven.
"With Arms Wide Open" is a beautifully expressive and loving song from Stapp to his
child that floats on the melodic textured guitar of Mark Tremonti. Most of "Human Clay"
though is an experience, a heavy and demanding one that looks you in the eye and
makes you feel. It's not full of detached grunge anthems that you and your mom can
share together. "Human Clay" is a lot to deal with and it's a lot to take in. Stapp's lyrical
style is cliché and at times blatant to the listener, a tad annoying at times, but overall his
emotion is what speaks loudest. "Human Clay" is something you will have to deal with
and try to understand. It's an album that will be spiritually uplifting for many and too
much to take for others. Creed have stripped away the surface to show us what is real
and true in the heavy spiritual vibe of "Human Clay."
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