Reunited Creed adds a dose of humility to its bombast

September 1 2009 Milwaukee Journal-Sentinal

During the late '90s and early 2000s, Creed might have been the most polarizing act in rock.

Often derided by critics, the band was also undoubtedly successful, selling millions of albums and riding the top of the charts with a mix of over-polished, post-grunge rock. Detractors mocked the overly serious posturing of their songs and pomposity of frontman Scott Stapp, while fans flocked to the band's spiritual and inspirational music.

Five years after Stapp's personal demons led to the band's split, Creed has reunited. At its Bradley Center show Tuesday night, it was apparent that the comeback had nothing to do with offsetting the critics. This hits-laden affair was staged for the fans.

With all the arena-rock excess the band's four original members and touring guitarist Eric Friedman could muster, Creed's 95-minute set was a stream of nostalgia, reconciliation and fist-pumping.

Fireballs on the large stage warmed a small audience that filled about a third of the venue at the first notes of "Bullets." With a closely shorn haircut replacing his formerly long locks, Stapp flexed his arms as his distinctive baritone voice filled the room. He was, at times, as animated and overdramatic as always, but this was a new, more humble Stapp.

"Allow us to reintroduce ourselves," he said before the set's lone new song, "Overcome." He also thanked Milwaukee for being the first city outside of the group's native Florida to play the band on the radio.

During "Say I," he pounded his chest, but couldn't hide a smile as he crouched to shake fans' outstretched hands.

If Stapp's voice is Creed's most recognizable element, Mark Tremonti's guitar forms the music's consistent structure. Even Tremonti's usual rock-guitar scowl broke into a grin as he added flourishes to the band's biggest hit, "With Arms Wide Open," and joined Stapp in a celebratory shower of sparks during "My Sacrifice," a song whose lyrics were autobiographically reframed for the reunion.

By the three-song encore that ended with the pyrotechnic crescendo of "Higher," even the band's critics might have been hard-pressed not to sing along.

.Erik Ernst