Track Listing

1. Are You Ready
2. What If
3. Beautiful
4. Say I
5. Wrong Way
6. Faceless Man
7. Never Die
8. With Arms Wide Open
9. Higher
10. Wash Away Those Years
11. Inside Us All

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1785 in Music
• Brand: Creed
• Released on: 1999-09-28
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Amazon.com
Creed burst out of Florida with 1997's My Own Prison, a dark but commercial debut reminiscent of the early-'90s Seattle sound. Creed's moody guitar grunge and ardent lyrics, coupled with singer Scott Stapp's passionate vocals, helped My Own Prison sell millions. Human Clay demonstrates that this likable quartet hasn't messed with success; they turn in a sophomore outing rife with evocative moodiness, soaring guitars, and a dark, roiling, intense vibe. "Beautiful" is but one of the winners on this strong 11-song CD. Haunting and indeed beautiful, the track is more delicate and seductive than most heard here, as is another lilting and mysterious entry, "Never Die," which boasts some Middle Eastern accents. "Higher" is typical Creed--safe, emotive guitar rock for the masses, but with a slight edge. Memorable hooks, Soundgarden-like guitars, and Vedder-like vocals make Human Clay at once compelling and effectively redundant. --Katherine Turman

Customer Reviews

Clay in Creed's Hands can be nothing but Beautiful
Please take into account that in my own mind I have rated this cd with a solid four and a half stars, not just four. With that said, let me address the more important matter, the album itself which is light years beyond in consistency compared to "My own Prison." "My Own..." was indeed a powerful album with highlights that far outshine the majority of the alt-metal records of late. The title cut was perhaps the most powerful, beautiful and by far best song while "What's this life for" and "One" were also stars in Creed's dark galaxy. This release, "Human Clay" is just filled with consistently excellent songs from the near anthem "Are you Ready", intense and strange "Beautiful", flawless and soulful radio ready "faceless man" to the superior final four tracks which include the rocking "Higher" and emotive "With arms...." Creed has put together a slick and worthy sophomore effort which will indeed ingrain them in the world of modern rock as a sturdy fixture with a long life ahead ahead of it.

Creed has once again employed both brilliant instrumentation and poignant, intelligent lyrics in its effort. If you are in search of moving lyrics check out "Wash Away Those Years", "Inside Us All", "With Arms..." and the positive and uplifting "Higher."

Both fans of Creed's first album and those who are seeking an intelligent and hard rocking album should find Creed to be the solution. Pick up "Human Clay" and journey into a world where powerful, dark, and beautiful music is of the essence.

A band that should be heard....
Creed is awesome. Their first CD, My Own Prison, was great. They have a sound and a vison that go excellent together. There is so much energy in their music. I have read the lyrics many times, and every time I re-read them, I find something new. Messages of peace and silenced corruption are spoken in very powerful words. Creed's new CD, Human Clay, is by far the most comforting CD I own. I listen to that CD every day and it helps me live through the day sometimes. Their first CD, I feel, was more of a loud protest. This CD is better described as a way to relate. Creed has a sound that is original and lyrics that are complex. Creed; a band that should be heard by everyone. Because even the people who don't much care for Creed's genre of music can find something they like. Creed; a band that should be heard by anyone who likes the fact that they can relate. Creed; a band that should be heard period.

Strong Sophomore Set
Do not be surprised if you play through this CD on the first listen and find yourself only liking "Higher". That is what I did last year when I first purchased this CD. I proudly walked over to my neighbor's place and told him "Human Clay" was not any good. Well, I was wrong. Each of the 11 tracks deserve attention.

In many respects, this is a much superior effort from the foursome. First of all, you can tell that they had a bigger budget to record with this time. The sonic quality of the CD is first-rate and much richer than "My Own Prison". There is a definite improvement on the bottom end of the recording (bass and drums). Both Brian Marshall (bass) and Scott Phillips (drums) can be heard loud and clear this time. Secondly, the attention to melody on all 11 tracks is evident and welcome. That is a credit to better song writing. Third of all, Mark Tremonti tries some different things with his guitars and guitar effects. It makes for an interesting sound. Scott Stapp (lead vocals) is the fourth reason this album works well. The man can sing with power, passion, and emotion, and he shows good range with his vocal talents. Finally, the lyrics are wholesome and thought provoking (no naughty words this time). In spite of the melancholy feel with regards to the hard-edged sound, there is a great deal of hope and promise in the words ("Higher", "Eyes Wide Open", "Inside Us All", "Faceless Man" - just to name a few).

The only downside with this release is the absence of up-tempo rockers such as "Unforgiven", "Sister", or "One". "Human Clay" is basically a collection of power ballads and slower grunge fests that work well, but Creed demonstrated good rock-n-roll instincts on "My Own Prison" that seem to be held back a little on "Human Clay". Maybe the greater attention to melody and lyrics on this newer CD expended a great deal of creative energy, but hopefully for the third album, Creed can marry its new talents with the rock energy it displayed on its first CD.

Anyway, you should see this a being a good buy. It is definitely a more mature effort from Creed and an enjoyable collection of songs.