The Calling rings the same old bells

In the tradition of Creed, Lifehouse, Staind and Matchbox 20, I bring you The Calling and its debut album, Camino Palmero. \nWhat's new and different about The Calling? Well, nothing really. The band's lead singer Alex Band sounds eerily similar to Scott Stapp, Creed's lead singer. The album really offers little in the way of imaginative writing or sound, and basically folks, we've heard this group before through the vocals of Stapp and all those bands I mentioned before.\n A couple of the band's tracks were recently featured in the popular WB show, "Smallville." "Wherever You Will Go" starts out slow and smooth with Stapp, err, I mean Alex Band (sorry) crooning ever so sexily into the chorus. The song itself is good but the fact that it sounds just like Creed bothers me slightly. Guys! That musical niche is already overflowing, dig out your own!\n"Unstoppable" starts out with a short but sweet electric guitar intro before Band chimes in with his thick and hearty voice. The backing vocals of the band members combined with Band's voice create magic in the chorus verses.\nWe really see that "Nothing's Changed" with the second track and it's doubtful that anything will change for The Calling, for the band's sound continues to dwell in the already crowded corner of alternative rock bands.\n"Could It Be Any Harder" starts out with Band's vocals fading in and out, getting louder then softer, then louder. This effect is a nice touch to the otherwise bland track.\n"Things Don't Always Turn Out That Way" sounds darker and more mysterious other tracks on the disc. Band's voice drifts between sounding like Creed to sounding more like Marilyn Manson, all the while the lyrics sounding like they belong in a pop song.\nI recognize talent when I see it, and I definitely see potential peering out from within The Calling's currently cliched sound. The writing talent is there, as is the musical talent. Band's voice is something to behold, it's just that the manner in which it is showcased has already been done before.\nThe verdict? Isn't obvious? If you like Creed, purchase Creed's latest album. Right now The Calling is like grape juice. It's just a matter of time before it ferments as a band.\nRating: 4