WHO IS HE? The frequently troubled, oft-maligned and apparently unstoppable rocker who may still be best known as 1) The former frontman of much-loathed ’90s outfit Creed and 2) The co-star of a porn video with Kid Rock. You can decide which of those is worse.
WHAT IS THIS? Being released July 19, his third solo album is the followup to 2013’s Proof of Life. And proof he doesn’t know when to quit.
WHAT DOES IT SOUND LIKE? An outdoor rock festival circa 1999. And about what you’d expect from a Stapp album — 10 more tracks of post-grunge and modern guitar-rock about depression, death, pain, addiction, love and survival, bellowed at full volume against a backdrop of craggy guitars and sweeping arrangements.
WHAT WOULD BE A BETTER TITLE FOR THIS ALBUM? True to His Creed.
HOW SHOULD I LISTEN TO IT? On a teenager’s car stereo while cruising on Saturday night.
WHAT 10 WORDS DESCRIBE IT? Bombastic, chest-beating, powerful, massive, introspective, thoughtful, intense, earnest, grandiose, preachy.
WHAT ARE THE BEST & WORST SONGS? That definitely depends on whether you’re buying what Stapp is selling. Let’s just say this: It’s a pretty consistent album. And the single Gone Too Soon pays tribute to Chris Cornell and Chester Bennington, which is a nice touch.
WHAT WILL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY SAY? ‘Why are you making us sit through this? Are you mad at us for something?’
HOW OFTEN WILL I LISTEN TO THIS? How often do you listen to any other Scott Stapp album?
IF THIS ALBUM WERE A SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCY, WHAT KIND OF AGENCY WOULD IT BE? A youth crisis hotline.
SHOULD I BUY, STREAM OR STEAL? Surely you have better things to spend money on.
