And now, for a new chapter in cMusicWeb.com: the first review of a CD
that is not created by Christians. Here it is: the amazingly
talented and very popular CREED.

HUMAN CLAY - CREED (1999)
by Rick Foux and Josh Shepherd
Synonymous with teen angst, depressing lyrics, and loud power chords,
the early '90s grunge era brought to light such "inspiring" acts as
Alice in Chains, the Smashing Pumpkins, and Nirvana (not to mention
dc talk's little flirtation with the genre in 1995's get-on-the-
bandwagon album Jesus Freak). This mad-at-the-world outlook fueled a
rebellious youth culture, which even now continues to view self-
centeredness and negativity as the norm. Searing Gibson electric
guitars and drum-thrashing rhythm demonstrate that one South Florida
band has kept the genre alive--yet with largely optimistic,
spiritually-suggestive lyrics. Although certain blemishes marred
Creed's self-titled debut, the sonically harsh second effort from
Scott Stapp (lead vocals), Mark Tremonti (guitar, vocals), Brian
Marshall (bass), and Scott Phillips (drums) isn't far off the mark.
Human Clay tackles such issues as searching for inner meaning ("Say
I," and "Inside Us All"), shameless optimism ("What If": "The more
you hold us down, the more we walk on"), the wonder of birth and
parenthood (#1 radio single "With Arms Wide Open"), and the emptiness
of fame ("Inside Us All": "Where shadows paint the scenes/Where
spotlights used to fall/And I'm left wondering/Is it really worth it
all?"). Though not openly religious (in fact, the band has publicly
expressed that they are NOT Christians), the band offers accurate,
even Biblically backed, views on the human psyche and condition.
Creed's hope is ultimately faceless, even while Human Clay gives
scripture heavy rotation with "Higher," where Stapp intones, "Can you
take me higher?/To the place where blind men see?/To the place with
golden streets," and album opener "Are You Ready?" which echoes
Matthew 7:7. Rather than suspecting Creed, believers should praise
songwriters Stapp and Tremonti for raising issues of purpose,
unfading youth, and sacrifice--"churchy" concepts that the broader
culture needs awarness of. True, their lifestyles could mislead
many, and they never see their questions to any ultimate conclusion--
such is a life apart from God. Little about Creed resembles their
early 90s forebearers, and that's a good thing; with only minor
discrepancies, Human Clay is unblemished rock.

Find out more about our current Rock Pick at cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/rock


AVAILABLE TODAY (on cMusicWeb.com or at your local store)

THE BEST OF THE DOVES 2001 - VARIOUS
It's supposed to represent the Doves, which isn't that great anyway,
but it does even a bad job of representing the Doves.

DESTINY - THE KATINAS
The brothers put together tighter harmonies and more of a pop vibe to
their sophmore album.

MI CORAZON - JACI VELASQUEZ
The pop girl follows up on her first all-Spanish album, Legar A Ti,
with this new album donning Latin sounds with all Spanish lyrics.

START RIGHT HERE: REMEMBERING THE LIFE OF KEITH GREEN - VARIOUS
The BEC label has put together this tribut collection of Keith Green
classics, and I don't think Keith Green had this much rock in his
music, but it's still a tribute to one of Christian Music's
founders. Becasue of lack of great releases this week, this is our
PICK OF THE WEEK.


AVAILABLE TO PRE-ORDER (on cMusicWeb.com)

ROCK: http://cMusicWeb.com/rock
The Big Surprise - The Elms [5/22]
Facing Changes - Hangnail [5/22]
Festival Con Dios - Various [5/22]
Untitled - The Benjamin Gate [5/22]
Live - Big Tent Revival [6/05]

ALTERNATIVE: http://cMusicWeb.com/alternative
Big Blue Sky - Bebo Norman [5/15]
Leave Here A Stranger - Starflyer 59 [6/05]

POP: http://cMusicWeb.com/pop
True Vibe (self-titled) [5/15]
Oxygen - Avalon [5/22]

Click on the album titles on the genre page to order them and recieve
them on the release date.


THE LATEST NEWS HEADLINES
• Raze frontman released on bond from jail
• SONICFLOOd does it over with live album
• Sixpence's lead singer gains another top single
• dc Talk's members go SOLO
• And much more!

View all the latest stories on cMusicWeb.com:
http://cMusicWeb.com/


THIS WEEK'S CHRISTIAN HIT RADIO CHARTS
> a good welcome to Caedmon's call, and congratulations to new
> worship band, Ten Shekel Shirt, at getting to #2 with "Ocean"!
1. Shaken - Rachael Lampa
2. Ocean - Ten Shekel Shirt
3. One Like You - Audio Adrenaline
4. Make It Last Forever - Avalon
5. Reborn - Rebecca St. James
6. My Life - PlusOne
7. Love is the Movement - Switchfoot
8. Water - Matt Brouwer
9. Now and Forever - True Vibe
10. Prove Me Wrong - Caedmon's Call

SOURCE: CCM Update (http://www.ccmupdate.com/)


cMUSICWEB UPDATES
• No Updates This Week


Well, there's our first batch of news articles, hope you think
they're good. Also, check out our all-new picks this month. Thanks
for reading cMusicMail, and we look forward to sharing the latest
info with you. If you have any comments or questions, please reply
to this e-mail or send them to webmaster@... We'd love to
hear from you!

Dan Ficker
http://cMusicWeb.com/
a different approach to music
ICQ - 43224317 AOL IM - dMusicWeb