Scott Stapp – Higher Power
Scott Stapp – Higher Power
Napalm Records
Release Date: 15/03/2024
Running Time: 39:00
Review by Rory Bentley
7/10
Well this is awkward. I picked this solo album by Post-Grunge Christian Rocker Scott Stapp out of the review schedule for the sole purpose of writing a roast review and I ended up loving a big chunk of it. I’m just as baffled as you, trust me, but at least 60% of “Higher Power” slaps and has objectively good vocals!
Creed and their often maligned frontman have long been the butt of many a joke and gurning impersonation before Nickleback tagged in and grabbed the baton for most hated band with their own brand of mawkish Post-Grunge, but both bands are capable of producing undeniable radio ready bangers that require a supreme level of song craft. Earnest and on the nose they may be, but Stapp’s unflinching lyrics and earworm vocal hooks are something that has resonated with a lot of people and I’m gutted to say I’m one of them.
Openers ‘Higher Power’ and ‘Dead Man’s Trigger’ are perhaps the most potent examples available if one was making a case for the record’s merits. Both have muscular, thick riffs that could easily get heads bobbing and fists pumping in big venues and both have planet-sized choruses engineered within an inch of their lives for maximum staying power. The production is brash and chunky while retaining a radio-friendly sheen that enhances the hooks and Stapp’s vocals sound genuinely great. His raspy baritone is commanding and passionate whilst avoiding the more extreme end of his heavily parodied trademark yarl. 15 year old me would be throwing down hard to both of these cuts, most likely as the soundtrack to a WWE pay per view. 37 year old me isn’t a million miles off either, truth be told.
The moodier ‘When Love is Not Enough’ sees that yarl come much further to the forefront, however it is a lot more palatable than it was during Creed’s worst excesses, perhaps more closely resembling Scott Weiland’s own Eddie-Vedder-isms on the first Stone Temple Pilots album. The dynamics on this one are spot on and the chorus lifts beautifully out of the delicate verses thanks to more shrewd production and songwriting choices.
Amazingly though, it is the full blown ballad ‘If These Walls Could Talk’ that is by far the standout moment of the album for me. A duet with solo artist Dorothy, it is a heart-wrenching nakedly honest account of all the trauma and pain Stapp has endured that is genuinely moving. Unfortunately there are a little too many ballads that don’t rise to this level and drag the back half of the album down significantly. ‘Dancing In The Rain’ is a little too X Factor crossed with Hair Metal for my liking, complete with a cringe-inducing key change for the final chorus. ‘Weight of the World’ is a pretty limp closer despite a decent chorus as well, but nothing embarrassing.
Despite the latter half of the record drifting a little too far into sappy balladry, there is still the likes of the punchy ‘Quicksand’ and the gritty Radio Metal of ‘Black Butterfly’ to stop things totally running out of steam. Even the weaker songs aren’t offensively corny and when it’s good it’s great. So despite me losing all of my Hardcore cred when this goes up, “Higher Power” comes thoroughly recommended for anyone looking for a passionately delivered, ballsy mainstream Rock record and one you should all welcome WITH ARRMMMSSS WIDE OPUUUURRRRNNNNN!!!! Sorry.
TRACKLISTING:
01. Higher Power
02. Deadman’s Trigger
03. When Love Is Not Enough
04. What I Deserve
05. If These Walls Could Talk
06. Black Butterfly
07. Quicksand
08. You’re Not Alone
09. Dancing in the Rain
10. Weight of the World
LINE-UP:
Scott Stapp and friends
LINKS:
Disclaimer: This review is solely the property of Rory Bentley and Ever Metal. It is strictly forbidden to copy any part of this review, unless you have the strict permission of said party. Failure to adhere to this will be treated as plagiarism and will be reported to the relevant authorities.
