So it is true, reviewers ridiculed both
bands labeling them inferior clones of previous bands, dismissing their
originality while giving them some credit for musicianship.
While Scott Stapp spoke of the similar
treatment of Creed and Led Zeppelin by critics, it was a critic who actually
compared the band to Led Zeppelin musically. MTV’s Don Kaye wrote in February
2001, “Although Creed were once tarred with the over-used ‘alternative’
brush, they have much more to do with classic rock bands like Led Zeppelin,
Bad Company, and Lynyrd Skynyrd than, say, the Pixies or the Breeders.”
Then again the seed might have been planted
by Creed’s record label in the band’s official biography that listed Led
Zeppelin as one of the band’s biggest influences.
What of the differences?
Beginning with their third album Led Zeppelin
seemed more comfortable spreading their wings musically, branching out
into different directions where as Creed thus far has stayed pretty consistent
to their formula. And why not, it has proven to sell. Another big difference
is that Led Zeppelin had a much easier time making it in the music business
than Creed had. When the Led Zeppelin started out as the New Yardbirds,
Jimmy Page was already a known quantity in the music scene from his days
as a studio musician and his stint with the original Yardbirds. John Paul
Jones was considered a top studio musician and arranger in the British
rock scene of the day. So when Led Zeppelin formed and went out to land
a record deal they merely had to pick which label to go with. They ended
up with Atlantic who gave them unprecedented artistic freedom. Creed on
the other hand was passed over by all of the major labels and ended up
signing with a relatively unknown start-up independent label, Wind-Up Records.
Creed’s astonishing success could be more easily understood if they would
have had a major label behind them to pump money into promotion. The fact
that they achieved the level of fame that they did with their debut and
the follow up albums really does give credence to the band’s belief that
the music was strong enough to attract an audience despite all the barriers
and critical bashing the band took.
Time will be the judge.
Thirty years from now, will people look
back at Creed with the same reverence that Led Zeppelin enjoys today? Time
will be the real test but thus far Creed has managed to release three albums
with all of them going multi-platinum. It would be easy to write them off
as a flash in the pan if their popularity would have waned after an album
or two but as I write this Creed’s third album is enjoying it’s fifth week
a top of the charts with no sign of letting up. Stapp my be also correct
in saying “…it wasn't until their fourth album that everybody got to accept
the fact that Led Zeppelin was gonna be there and be around. We're kind
of starting to feel that way now."
Will they follow the Led Zeppelin example
and try to expand their musical palette? Will the band’s continued success
silence their critics or add more full to the fire? Love them or hate,
it does seem that Creed is a band you had better get used to seeing and
hearing from in the years to come. But looking at the facts, Stapp wasn’t
too far off base when he compared the critical views of his band to that
of Led Zeppelin’s. There is no denying the similarities between the two
groups treatment by their detractors.
In the end it doesn’t really matter. The
way their career is shaping up, Creed will continue to sell millions of
CD’s and people will continue to bash them every step of the way.
Maybe a decade from now some of their critics will change their minds,
or the band will lose some of its luster in the eyes of their diehard fans.
Until then, the line in the sand has been drawn and the battle will continue
between those who love Creed and those who hate them. Meanwhile Creed is
laughing all the way to the bank.
FAN
SPEAK: Agree or Disagree?
Fan
Speak:
Posted by snake:
Creed was a great band. They were a combination of Led Zepplin and The Doors. Weathered was the best album becuase Bullets is a great song. and Who's Got my Back is Creed's Kashmir. Scott Stapp's solo effort is a great new start for a talented guy like him!
Posted by Slanga Danga:
Uh... they broke up this month....
Highly unlikely that they will be looked back upon with reverence...
Posted by 2ToneTommy: HEY!!! ULTIMATE CREED FAN, WAKE UP AND
SMELL THE S*#T YOU ARE TRYING TO SHOVEL. JEALOUSY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH
IT...
Posted by
2ToneTommy: NO COMPARISON!!! Each Group has there
own positive points. But to compare the two is like comparing Britney Spears
to Stevie Nicks. So compare something thats worth comparing and leave well
enough alone...
Posted by
czar: Where is creed anyway?
Posted by
Mr Tibbs: LZ were just an original band and put
out some creative, interesting records. And considering when they they
came out, it was a renaissance not only in music but also in world history.
Creed are more like a 'Power for Living' pamphlet set to a rehashed, generic
rock(tm) sound-track. I suppose my spell checker should be by any second...
Posted by
Ultimate Creed Fan: badMojo, how DARE you compare Creed and
Eminem! Eminem is a sad excuse for a human being and all he does is whine
about how he hates his mom and how he wants to kill his ex-girlfriend.
Creed's music actually has a meaning, but most people are just to stupid
to see it. Creed kicks ass and they always will, you people are just jealous
that you aren't as successful as Creed is so you bash them to make yourselves
feel better. Oh and btw joen00b, Creed's bass player will most likely be
Brett Hestla, he's been with them on tour for a long time and Mark Tremonti
even said that Hestla will more than likely be their new bass player. It
all depends when it comes time to write new songs.
Posted by
badMojo: I can't believe the guy from Creed would
actually compare his band (in any way) to Led Zeppelin. Led Zeppelin is
like a rock version of mozart. Creed is like a rock version of Eminem.
Posted by
pee wee: although technically stapp doesn't say
his band is like led zeppelin, he has some nerve to bring up the zeppelin
name. Zeppelin 's music was very diverse and they were not just an amplified
blues cover band but innovators that are imitated by rock bands every where.
In fact rolling stone realized that they had f*cked up by not giving them
the credit they deserved and when they tried to redeem themselves by wanting
to put them on the cover they told them where to stick it...Creed is not
getting credit because besides the 5-6 songs that are not too bad they
are repetitive and boring...scott statement implies he considers his band
to be like zeppelin and that's why i think people are pissed...led zep
is untouchable...
Posted by
Mr Soulman: Eddie, forgive me for the spelling of
the word "Trophy." I realized that after posting. Thanks Eddie.
Posted by
eddie: mr.soulman you get the TROPHY for dumbass
that doesn't know how to spell....bye bye
Posted by
eddie: mr.soulman you get the TROPHY for dumbass
that doesn't know how to spell....bye bye