The Great Divide

Illinois Entertainer, February 2006

Talk about being under a microscope. Scott Stapp's solo debut faces an uphill battle against hordes of skeptical critics and consumers. And perhaps for good reason-when you have one of the most recognizable rock voices of all time (for better or worse), your career includes a slew of number one singles and more than 25 million albums sold Stateside, and then you have a sudden ugly very public break up from your band, the rock world can not help but wonder how you will fare on your own. Fortunately for Stapp, his determination and faith (not to mention his songwriting and vocal talent) were enough to propel him to produce his self-written debut The Great Divide. Musically and lyrically the album seems to chronicle Stapp's emotional journey since the band break-up. The aggressive opener (a-la early Creed) has Stapp screaming "Welcome friends I have nothing to hide/the journey's end has left a mark inside/I'm sure you heard the rumors jealousies and lies/I do not fear you/Do you fear me/" and is followed by the dark brooding "Fight Song"-But by the end, Stapp's optimism and inspiration has returned as he sings over more radio-friendly balladry proclamations like "You set me free to live my life/you became my reason to surivive the great divide" and "Keep hoping and dreaming and you will soar/With a little faith and love, you will soar" Stapp still seems stuck musically in the years of Creed's pinnacle, so the verdict is still out on whether he can continue to pull rabbits out grunge rock as effectively as he once did, but he at least proves Creed relied more on him than he did on them.

.Carter Moss