Creed frontman’s ransom is paid and we have Proof of Life
Album: Proof of Life
Artist: Scott Stapp
Label: Wind-Up Records
Release: November 5, 2013
Edit: I was asked to temporarily pull the audio version of the review, until record company approval. Sorry about that!
In the meantime… check out the first single posted by Wind-Up Records:
“Slow Suicide” (YouTube audio)
Anyone who has heard the band Creed will feel a familiarity as Scott Stapp stays true to his roots with the band, while making this project his own. Stapp admittedly confesses the mistakes he’s made in life and shows the lessons learned on his second solo album, Proof of Life. Throughout each track, there are strong themes of rediscovered faith, forgiveness and redemption.
Musically, it’s a mature sound that is easily identified with Creed, ranging from hard rock to medium-tempo ballads. At times, certain riffs caused a flashback to one of the band’s hits. The varied styles keep you yearning for the next track and never leave you weary.
The road to redemption is a journey on which Stapp has embarked with this album. As done in his 2012 memoir, Stapp tells the story of his ups and downs in each song’s lyrics. Although there seems to be a few hints biblical clichés, they’re actually cleverly used to show that his faith is intertwined in life.
The first track and first single released, “Slow Suicide,” sets the premise for the album.
“I can’t let this life pass me by
In the blink of eye it ends
I can’t let my tomorrow decide what I am in this life
It’s like committing slow suicide.”
The title track, “Proof of Life,” calls to question speed bumps and roadblocks and provokes the process of how one deals with trials.
“Do you suffer in silence?
Do you live your life in your dreams?
…What’s your proof of life?”
In “New Day Coming,” Stapp faces the challenges head-on and is ready to put up the fight.
“I’ll get back up for good this time
I ain’t coming down
Yeah, I’ll get back up
‘cause my whole life I was lost and now I’m found
It’s the dawn of a new day
It’s the dawn of a new day coming.”
Conservative music critics will question if “Only One” is a love song, but it strongly suggests the uplifting theme of God’s promise to never leave.
“Even when you feel so low, like you might let go
I will be the first hand reaching out
I will be the last one giving up on you
Even when you feel your breath fading from your lungs
I will be the first hand reaching out
I will be the first, last – first, last and only one.”
There is no holding back on putting Jesus in your face, as Stapp sings about the works and life of Christ, and what impact the Savior had when He walked the earth. It’s his take, saying “Jesus Was a Rockstar.”
“When He spoke, He always drew a crowd
His message was His lifestyle
He gave us everything and more
He was the party we’ve been looking for
Maybe, just maybe Jesus was a rockstar.”
Continuing the autobiographical theme, the song “Crash” could possibly be any or all of emotional, metaphorical and literal.
“When you get too high, you’ll crash
And suddenly I feel my feet again
Standing in the place where I once fell over the edge
I never though I’d walk again.”
The final song of the record, “Dying to Live,” rounds out the story, showing transparency and revival, as a wake-up call with spiritual renewal.
“I’m dying to breathe in every moment
I’m dying to make up for lost time
I’m dying to let go
and finally feel what real love is
I’m dying to live.”
The album is a complete package delivering deep emotion and quality music that leaves you wanting more after every song. Stapp sets out to make his message clear and does so masterfully.
Mark Breta is a musician, radio announcer/producer, foodie and would-be blogger. He’s in a band but is also a chronic concert-goer. Watch him rebrand himself at markbreta.com.