Album Review: Scott Stapp - The Space Between The Shadows

The last bunch of years have not been good for Scott Stapp. Even before they broke up, Creed was Nickelback before Nickelback was Nickelback. They were laughing stocks in rock, and since then Stapp has been through rehab and divorce, while the other members of the band put together a new group that is nearly universally regarded as far superior to their original source. To top that off, Mark Tremonti has even forged a successful solo career, while all Stapp has to show for that time is an album with Art Of Anarchy, a group that purchased lead singers to try to make themselves famous (and his record with them is far outshined by the one made by Scott Weiland in his last days - not a ringing endorsement, eh?). Needless to say, Stapp is not rolling into this new record on a high note, so I was surprised to see he had a deal with Napalm, a notable record company.

I was even more surprised when the first single, "Purpose For Pain", was really good. Seriously good. Stapp and whoever put the record together (they are uncredited in any press materials I have seen) did a fantastic job of reintroducing him, giving him a song that was modern and catchy, and devoid of the schmaltz that made people hate Stapp. Love him or hate him, when he toned down his self-righteous personality, he had a voice you remember. A lot of guys don't even have that much.

That positive attitude didn't last long, as the following singles showcased a lovely emotional ballad, then two more utterly bland songs that never should have been released  as a preview for the record. After the first two songs, I was excited. After the second two, I was ambivalent.

Here's the thing about this record; the good stuff is very good, but there isn't enough of it. As mentioned, "Purpose For Pain" is great radio rock, and "Name" is the sort of emotional song Stapp brought to Creed. Those are excellent. "World I Used To Know" borrows a certain motif from Nirvana's "Heart Shaped Box", but it's also an enjoyable track that puts Stapp in a better light than I can ever recall him in.

"Heaven In Me" is another great track, which starts with a guitar line that has the same Western tinge that "Wanted Dead Or Alive" brought to rock, but it becomes something more dramatic as it moves along. The song is enjoyable because of the melodies, but it stands out for bringing some added diversity to the record, and keeping it from being a collection of cookie-cutter rockers and ballads.

That phrase is where the negatives come in. For all the good on the record, there are also a handful of songs that are played-out and trite. "Wake Up Call" stands out among them. It tries to be another emotional ballad on an album heavy with them, but the composition never builds to anything. The entire track is presented in the same subdued tones. There is no cathartic moment of release, the song just fizzles out without satisfaction.

The other negative is that the album, for being on a rock/metal label, doesn't rock all that much. Stapp is better suited for the more emotional material, granted, but the balance is a bit odd here. It's as though they knew the record they needed to make wasn't what would sell, so they threw a couple of more generic rock songs in the mix to convince people this is a record that real rock fans can still enjoy. Frankly, I think the record would have been better if they focused on what Stapp is best at, genre be damned.

What I think after hearing this record is that if Stapp and his collaborators had gotten together to make a collection of hard-tinged ballads, and given them a symphonic bent, it could have resulted in something excellent. His voice has the power and drama to stand up to that level, and it would also serve to give him a new identity for this new phase of his career.

Still, this record is better than I ever could have imagined. I don't think many people will be going into it with any expectations, so it could be a big surprise. Creed may have been unbearable at the end, but Scott Stapp redeems himself somewhat. I have to give this one a decent thumbs up.