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Believe

Though the throaty drone of Scott Stapp never ranked with critics, Creed's commercial impact has obviously inspired many an upstart band and a wide-eyed A&R agent. Interestingly, Creed's own label, Wind Up, seems to be leading the pack in sound-alike efforts. First it was Twelve Stones, and now Big Dismal.
Though at first blush the band's debut, Believe, sounds like a pre-Creed Stapp solo project, significant differences do exist. Front man, songwriter and singer Eric Durrance's voice is much less garbled sounding than the average post-Pearl Jam modern rockers. His songs are more commercial and anthemic in feel, with lyrics that inspire hope with obvious and unashamed references to his Christian faith. He even pulls off an epic sounding mid-tempo pop-rock gem called "Missing You," with Evanescence's Amy Lee adding a superb vocal hook for effect. But production tricks, brief quiet intros and the overall stylistic approach is going to make it difficult for Big Dismal to shake the Creed-clone charges, at least this time out.
The production is of the world-class corporate rock variety, handled by veteran ace Jack Joseph Puig (Verve Pipe, Black Crowes, John Mayer, The Ataris.) Though all the ingredients are on the table, and lyrical differences notwithstanding, Big Dismal's debut will most likely thrill Creed fans and not many others. The preponderance of similarities will just be too overwhelming for many to get past. Too bad though, Big Dismal may be moving the baritone hard rock sound in a much needed direction.
In many ways Big Dismal may be what Christian fans wish Creed was. With lyrics that boldly and simply deal with issues of faith and spirit, and an overall tone that is far more uplifting than brooding, Dismal, ironically, seems to have chosen the wrong band name. [WIND-UP/ JOHN J. THOMPSON]

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