RR Score: 8.5 ROCK FISTS!

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Intro

I've always liked Collective Soul. They came along when grunge was all the rage, yet wrote 'happier songs'. Basically I didn't feel depressed after listening to their songs like I did with most of the grunge bands. This is the bands ninth studio album (yes you read that right), and IMO they haven't released a bad album. Ed Roland knows how to write a short sharp catchy modern rock tune, and that has never changed at any point in the bands career so far. With the longest gap between albums with 6 years since their under rated self titled record, are Ed and the boys still capable of greatness?

Review

The first song and first single from the album 'This' opens the album is typical Collective Soul fashion. With a cool fuzzy guitar riff that leads to a huge sing a long chorus made for radio, it is the perfect way to start the album and a good sign of things to come. I could easily see this song on their classic self titled album from 1995. 'Hurricane' has a faster beat that bops along until yet another melodic chorus you can't help but sing along to. 'Exposed' sounds like something that would have fit on the under rated Blender album. It has a slightly different feel to the first two songs and it took me awhile to warm to it, yet it is currently my favourite track on the album. The guitar solo is great too. Actually the first 3 songs have all cool guitar solos.

'Confession' starts off soft and sweet with Ed singing the initial verse over a soft guitar before a crunchy riff leads to the chorus. This continues with the second verse as well before the song closes on a rocking note.

'AYTA' is by far the most accessible track on the album. It has a feel that 'You' had on their last album with that huge melodic feel that finds the perfect balance between a ballad and a rock song. This song is made for radio airplay. It is a really sweet song with Ed singing 'Are you the answer, to all I need. Are you the answer, the answer for me'. 'Contagious' contains yet another classic Collective Soul riff that leads to another classic 3 minute Collective Soul track they are known for. This song is yet another highlight on the album and is probably the most aggressive song on the album which adds to the diversity of the album.

'Life' has a rollicking guitar sound that is again slightly different to anything else on the album, and 'Tradition' although probably my least favourite song on the album, it is again adds diversity with Ed talking his way through the verses before he sings a sweet chorus. 'Am I getting through' and Memoirs of 2005' make sure there isn't a dip in quality as both are classic Collective Soul songs. 'Without You' finishes the album with a piano tinged sing along, with the ooh oohs and the ahh ahhs giving the fans something to sing a long to. The piano breakdown is something different as well that leads to a classical fade out at the end with strings and piano. A great way to end a great album.

Outro

This is a really solid album. These guys deserve a bigger profile than what they currently have. This has the classic Collective Soul sound. The songs are short and catchy and full of melody. There is a real diversity to the album as well with hard rock songs, melodic rock songs and soulful ballads. The band have never let me down, and I can safely say they haven't here. I believe the band are already back in the studio recording new material, so I look forward to more great stuff in the near future from these guys. If you are or were a fan of Collective Soul, track this album down, you won't regret it.