That something was Boston. Not the city, the band. Theft is part of pop music. In fact, it's most of it. The clever ones hide it better than the thick ones, but anyone who tells you they're an original is full of shit.
Pop music is built on that which has come before it.
Most artists go out of their way to credit their forebears, at least partially out of fear of being flayed for ripping them off. No doubt, the Orlando, Fla., foursome Creed have spent some time pondering that very question. A quick listen to their recent release, Human Clay , finds them guilty as charged. Pearl Jam with frightening exactitude. Many of the same critics who've nailed Creed to the cross for their Pearl Jam-isms have responded with glowing praise to the California band, Paloalto, who just as thoroughly appropriate the sound and feel of another iconic '90s band, Radiohead.