I'd like to tell you that Scott Stapp cut that canola-oiled hair of his, lost those big stupid post-Seven Mary Three guitar riffs and penned a series of understated, secular soul ballads that would become standards for years to come. I'd like that, because I'd much rather listen to that record than I do The Great Divide, the first solo album from the former Creed frontman (and professional Jesus impersonator). But a much better rock 'n' roller than Stapp once said that "you can't always get what you want," and in the case of this albums, that's gonna be true for a lot of people.

The Great Divide sounds a lot like Creed, except harder. Now, I remember snickering at Stapp recounting on VH1's Behind the Music his fear of putting his precious words to Mark Tremonti's terrifying electric guitar riffs. How strange, then, that Stapp should find his solo record sounding so much like a creatine-enhanced Creed, with the same signature soaring Stapp vocals crash landing into the rocky terrain below. Sure, there's a handful of your signature Stapp ballads, and a couple of Christ references just for kicks, but by the time The Great Divide is over all you'll remember is the noise.

Look, I know about 25 million people have bought Creed albums in their lives, and at least some of them must be productive members of society.

If those people happen to go out and buy the Scott Stapp solo CD, they'll probably like it fine. And since I sincerely doubt MTV or radio is going to pick up on a Scott Stapp song, you'll never have to hear this unless you choose to.

-- Reviewed by Paul Thompson