Review Summary: If it ain't broke
I remember when I first heard “Higher” back in ‘99. I had heard of Creed, but had never really given them a shot. Suddenly, I heard the intro of the song and was hooked to the guitar work, and from then on, I knew Mark Tremonti would be a guitar force to be reckoned with. I mean, how could he not be? His guitar work, although nothing too flashy, was just absolutely superb and did just enough to amplify each of the songs. It was clear he would be someone with a lot of staying power in the rock and metal world.
Now, that song may be about two years older than me, but I imagine that my reaction would’ve been something like that. While the story may be false (who knows), the sentiment still remains.
On his sixth solo full-length, Tremonti continues to prove why he’s one of the best guitarists out there. From the heavy hitting riffs of “One More Time” to the mellower passages of “It’s Not Over,”
The End Will Show Us How is an exhibition of the diversity of Tremonti’s writing and a testament to his consistency throughout the years. The chorus chord progressions, the subtle verse leads, the intricate solos, and even the rapid-fire riffs are all present and just as good as ever. While it’s so easy to get caught up in his guitar work and how catchy his songwriting is, there is a lot to digest from this album. Although his guitar work has almost always been the focal point, his vocals have become more of an attention-grabber throughout the years. He’s continuously found ways to build his music around his voice, and tracks like “Nails” showcase his guitar work accentuating his vocals and taking them up a notch. Moreover, while the rest of the band isn’t necessarily flashy, each member does their job perfectly, creating tracks full of chemistry and cohesion.
So, with all this positive talk, where does this album fall flat? Well, that answer is unfortunately one of the reasons why Tremonti is so good: his consistency. After nearly three decades of songwriting, Tremonti has made it clear how consistent he is with his guitar writing, and his style has become so recognizable in rock music. Every now and then,
The End Will Show Us How evokes this feeling of near deja vu, almost like you’ve heard the song somewhere before vaguely. Although the album is full of fun moments and well-crafted music, it’s hard to ignore the fact that it’s been done by Tremonti already, and it loses its punch. It’s not even that the record lacks anything, but rather that the context of what Tremonti has already done dulls it in light of his discography.
Despite the consistency to a fault, the point still remains: Tremonti is one of the best guitarists out there and he is still making consistent, quality rock/metal music. While it may not be his best,
The End Will Show Us How is still an enjoyable listen and worth a listen. Just like back in ‘99, Tremonti continues to impress with his guitar work, giving me that same feeling I had many years ago.
