As has been noted before, I have a strong affection for Collective Soul. So how could I not write about its new record in my latest post (which will be there in a bit) for the Examiner?
Collective Soul, the Atlanta rockers led by Ed Roland, are a rather unfashionable lot these days. Despite a lengthy string of hit records and singles, the band’s stubborn adherence to tightly controlled melodic hard rock has left them on the outs of music intelligentsia. Too aggressive for adult contemporary, too tuneful for alternative, not old enough for classic rock, not young enough for teenyboppers. Simply put, in 2009 Collective Soul doesn’t fit.
Thankfully, as evidenced on the band’s new album Collective Soul it could care less.
Collective Soul, the band’s second self-titled release (its original name Rabbit was pulled — no pun intended — at the last minute) is from start to finish a solid piece of work chock-full of its trademark sound: rich, hook-laden melody delivered with classic hard rock’n'roll gusto. Collective Soul heralds back to a day when it was possible for a hard rock band to get on the Top 40 without succumbing to the dreaded power ballad disease. Not that the band is all screamers with no dreamers; quieter moments are available. This duly noted, when Collective Soul turns it down it doesn’t turn down its intensity.
Roland’s songwriting has never approached lyrics as a throwaway element. Although preferring not to publicly categorize his own beliefs, the unmistakable influence of his upbringing as a preacher’s kid is woven throughout his body of work. Collective Soul is no exception. The references to Christian thoughts and mores aren’t as overt or prevalent in Collective Soul as was the case in its 2007 predecessor Afterwords, although “Lighten Up” is unmistakable in its roots as the lyric chides one unwilling to come to terms with faith. However, when Roland directly addresses these things he does so with raw, emotive power.
The record’s ending track, “Hymn For My Father,” is a tribute to Roland and his brother Dean’s father who passed away a few years ago. Delivered with the simple, devastatingly powerful structure of nothing but piano and Roland’s lone voice, it not only affirms the love of a son for his father but also notes his beliefs are followed by his son. He may cringe at the statement, but with “Hymn For My Father” Ed Roland outs himself as a believer.
Not that there’s anything wrong with that!
[video http://www.diecast-dude.com/gac/collective_soul_welcome_all_again.flv]
“Welcome All Again” by Collective Soul from Collective Soul
