Scott Stapp // Higher Power // Album Review

Scott Stapp is back with his fourth solo album “Higher Power”, a brilliant piece of work, with ten powerful tracks that range from hard rock to soft ballads and encapsulate all that is good about him.

 The title track and opener “Higher Power” has a thunderous drum beat that underpins the whole track laying the foundation for some savage riffs and a fat bass line, this killer background allows Stapp to do what he does best, deliver amazing vocals, a cracking start. “Deadmans Trigger” follows hot on its heels with more of a swagger; a thumping bass line creates a nice platform for Stapp to work off as the guitars shred, a really catchy track that you will find yourself singing along to in no time.

“When Love Is Not Enough” starts slowly building as the track progresses, this is one where Stapp really shows his prowess, belting out his vocals with raw emotion, the underlying beat is heavy as hell coupled with some sublime guitar work this is a real gem. “What I Deserve” is a slower track, not quite a power ballad but a powerful song that has guitar virtuoso Yiannis Papadopoulos lending his considerable talent to this one, the heavy breakdown midway through has Papadopoulos letting rip with an unbelievable solo that tears the fretboard up, this is one serious tune. “If These Walls Could Talk” has the unenviable task of trying to follow up on the previous track but it does so with aplomb, a stripped-back track that has Stapp at his best, his voice is so full of emotion and power it is palpable, joining him on this track is Dorothy, a serious singer in her own right, matching Stapp step for step on the vocals, this is the epitome of a ballad, simply brilliant. “Black Butterfly” brings all the calm crashing down as it stomps into life with some cutting riffs and a kicking drum beat, Stapps soaring vocals around the chorus elevate the track but it is the guitar work that stands out and gives the track that little extra push. “Quicksand” opens up with a crushing riff before Stapp comes in and owns the track, the drum and bass combo help to give it a heavy feel around the chorus’, Popadopoulous shines once more as he lets fly with a killer solo, and this track is a slow burner but one of the best on the album.

“You’re Not Alone” would not be amiss on a Creed album, another emotional ballad that has Stapp showcasing his unreal vocal talents. “Dancing In The Rain” is another track that is in the Creed vein, airy vocals and softly strummed guitars run through this track except around the chorus’ where it gets a little heavier as the drums kick in, a good track made better by some fantastic guitar work towards the end of the song. The album closes with “Weight Of The World” a simple track that oozes class from Stapp’s vocals to the restrained drum beat, guitars and bass that all come to a crescendo as the track comes to a close, an amazing way to finish the album.   

This album does not disappoint, it is packed with brilliant track after track and sees Stapp in some of the best form of his long career.

Review: Conor