ONE DAY REMAINS
FINALLY - A NEW BAND TO REALLY SINK MY TEETH INTO. After suffering to the over-blown ego-inflatted posturing of uber-poser Scott Stapp, CREED finally imploded (thank GOD) and what we have here is basically Creed with a new singer, former
MAYFIELD FOUR vocalist Myles Kennedy. What the remaining former members of Creed did SO WELL was NOT continue under the Creed moniker (very smart). Therefor, non of the Creed fans will feel animosity towards the new material nor Kennedy's far superior vocals (something Motley Crue suffered tremendously on their 1993 masterpiece with vocalist John Corabi). The other really good thing Alter Bridge have done is write some terrific tunes. The first six tracks are monsterous, very hook filled and extremely enjoyable. Guitarist Mark Tremonti is in peak form (we all knew he could play, but held back on all three Creed discs), with his muscular riffs, and well crafted, albiet short solos really lifting these tracks past the modern-rock radio format. "Broken Wings" is a bonafide radio smash - I would be very surprised if it doesn't make it onto airwaves the world over. The production is perfect, everything mixed very clearly and punchy as hell. Lead off single 'Open Your Eyes', has some minor traces of Creed, but the key difference with this band is without a doubt the vocals, which Kennedy displays with the greatest of ease, not only demonstrating his terrific range, but the overall power of his voice. This is without a doubt a fantastic beginning for Tremonti, former Creed drummer Scott Phillips and bassist Brian Marshall (who was fired from Creed for dissing PEARL JAM - one of the most pathetic excuses I've ever heard for the ousting of a band member). This disc clearly demonstrates that Alter Bridge has the goods to carry on with a bright, and hopefully very successful career. Seriously great stuff, do yourself a favor and pick this one up and don't hold your reservations about the 'ex members of Creed' tag. One has absolutely nothing to do with the other.
