Collective Soul

Collective Soul again turn back the clock to the '70s, when rock bands were bigger than life, guitar riffs were circuitous, lyrics tended to the repetitive, and the drumming was bombastic. The Roland brothers and company reinvigorate the power ballad in a way that even Jon Bon Jovi has never been able to--and they do so totally without irony. In fact it's no joke that they've convinced old-school rock icon Elton John to croon on "Perfect Day." Collective Soul allowed a contest-winning fan to name their fifth album Blender, but it's not a particularly apt name, since they deviate so little from their classic-rock approach, save the frenetic, Prince-like "Vent," with its flashy guitar gymnastics and laughable lyrics ("You bite before you lick / Why? Because you're such a prick") and the well-executed psychedelic frills in the rhythmically challenged "Skin." But other than those artistic curves, Collective Soul serve up muscular anthems about being misunderstood, ("You Speak My Language"), finding one's way out of chaos ("Turn Around"), and love gone bad ("Why Pt. 2") with the same lumbering lyrics that colored their first four albums. --Jaan Uhelszki

This is a re-issue of the Target exclusive which debuted at #25 on the Billboard Comprehensive album chart in September 2007. Contains three new songs by Ed Roland, exclusive to this piece. CD features an offer to join the fan club for one year with access to VIP ticketing, exclusive content, and private events.

Great collection at a great price.

After the surprising success of "Shine" from his debut effort, Collective Soul honcho Ed Roland told anyone who'd listen how the track was a demo that wasn't even recorded by his "real" band. This self-titled release is the first thing recorded by Collective Soul as a group, and guess what? The sub-Allman Brothers country boogie and ultra-derivative classic-rock riffing proves that "Shine" was a fluke and Roland certainly isn't the best judge of his own material. --Jim DeRogatis

Seven #1 Rock Hits, 4 Platinum Plus albums and 10 million total albums sold, Collective Soul return with their most ambitious album to date, Collective Soul. Recorded in just 45 days in their home studio in Georgia and produced by Ed Roland himself, the album features their most mainstream songs ever recorded. Songs from their last studio album Afterwords were featured in American Idol commercials, The Hills, Woman’s Murder Club, Shark, Celebrity Apprentice, Brothers and Sisters, 90210 and more. Most recently “Tremble For My Beloved” from their album Dosage appears on the Twilight soundtrack.