I think I need a towel

I was surprised to learn that Collective Soul had released a greatest hits collection. They have been surprisingly successful and resilient in an industry and a decade where integrity and talent are often overlooked in the pursuit of ‘the next big thing’. Well, if you’ll remember back about eight years ago, Collective Soul was indeed the next big thing. The #1 smash “Shine” was everywhere, and is a phenomenal song to say the least. It still has a special place in my heart. And it would have been real easy (and understandable) for these guys to be a one-hit wonder. But eight number one singles in an extremely fickle decade ought to stand for something.

I generally find myself a bit dissatisfied with greatest hits collections. But twelve of these thirteen songs truly belong on such an album. Oddly enough, one of the number one singles is missing (“Where the River Flows”) and I was surprised at the omission of “Perfect Day”. Also, the final song “Forgiveness” is the only album track of theirs that I was surprised at its inclusion. But for the most part, I am pleased with the selection of songs and this is as close to perfect as you’ll find. I guess I can be a bit of a five-star wh*re and perhaps I say that too much. But this album is really deserving of it. The two new tracks, “Energy” and “Next Homecoming” could both be released as singles and are quickly becoming favorites of mine as well.

The CD opens with the palm muted riffing of “Heavy”. This song is indeed one of the heavier tracks in their catalog, but loses none of its melody or beauty. The chorus is intense, and Shane Evans provides a rocking cymbal-heavy backbeat. This song is an example of playing the right thing at the right time, because it is deceptively simple. The tempo change and guitar solo come out of left field and always makes the hair on my arms stand on end. This is followed by the hidden track from the Dosage album. “She Said” is a plaintive, orchestrated ballad with a heart wrenching chorus. I do find myself preferring the mix on the more guitar-oriented version found on the Scream 2 soundtrack. But in any form, this song shouldn’t be missed.

“she said that time is unfair
to a woman her age
now that wisdom has come
everything else fades

she said she realizes
she’s seen her better days

she said she can’t look back
to her days of youth
what she thought were lies
she later found was truth

she said her daddy had dreams
but he drank them away
and her mother’s to blame
for the way she is today

Life’s river shall rise
She said
And only the strong shall survive
She said
But I’m feeling quite weak
She said
Will you comfort and forgive me
She said

She said she’s still searching
For salvation’s light
Yeah, she wishes all day
And she prays all night

She said she won’t speak of love
Because love she’s never known
She said it’s moments like these
She hates to be alone

Forgive me, she said
Forgive me, she said”

I was surprised that “Shine” wasn’t the opening track on Seven Year Itch. But these guys don’t often follow the predictable path. This song is a legendary 90’s rock track, and sounds pretty good for what essentially was a demo. It has the combination of everything that Creed wishes it had. It ranges from a quiet verse with a melody that takes you somewhere else. This mixed with a soaring chorus and otherworldly guitar solo, and you have the makings of a hit. But the real success in this song lies not in any formula, but in the integrity of the musicians. You can’t fake that or package that.

The first of two new songs, “Energy” is a welcome addition to Collective Soul’s repertoire. It has all the elements that their fans have come to expect, with a few surprises. This spoken “come on, come on” parts sound cool when all of the instruments drop out right before the chorus. It’s a cool effect and shows that vocalist/guitarist/song writer Ed Roland is quite a skilled producer. These guys are anything but a fluke. What I also enjoy about this track is the guitar tone. It’s a sound that I’ve never heard replicated anywhere else and has always been a source of inspiration for me personally.

“Run” is an acoustic ballad from Dosage that I felt was a surprise number one single. This song took a while to grow on me, but I find that I enjoy it now. I had felt that on their third album they had written too many acoustic ballad type of songs. So when this song was included on their fourth album, it was my first instinct to ignore it. But this song is much better than the singer-songwriter style of writing that hurt Disciplined Breakdown as an album. A rocking track that gained notice on their second album as well as the Jerky Boys soundtrack is “Gel”. This is may be a bit of a surprise as a number one hit, but is one of the coolest little three-minute songs you’ll find anywhere.

The opening track of their third album is “Precious Declaration”. It has one of the circular riffs that is present in a good deal of Collective Soul’s work (such as “Boast” and “She Gathers Rain”), but still sounds great. I think the follow-up to their second album was lacking in some areas, but this track is one of its highlights. However, in comparison to “Shine” or “Heavy” I definitely see why Disciplined Breakdown is their weakest seller. I like this song, don’t get me wrong. But it does seem a bit thin by comparison, though I love the layering of guitars and vocals during the chorus. This is followed by the lone representative of the marvelous Blender album, “Why Pt. 2”. This is a simple song both musically and lyrically, but is one of the finest they’ve produced.

“In the air I’m tasting your perfection
forgive me dear for my misdirection
as I crawl beneath this torture you adore
I fall face to face with my scars you’ve ignored

So tell me why it don’t feel the same
Tell me why I’ve got to feel this way
Yeah, you leave, you’re gone
And I’m left here with the blame”

Another favorite of mine is the moving “The World I Know”. If you’ve ever seen the video, you’ll know the true nature of the art form. Not all videos need to have fifty scantily clad women dancing in unison in Las Vegas. I think that’s been to death, okay Snoop? Going back to real music, this song is a soulful and earnest blend of twelve string acoustic guitars, orchestration, subtle electric guitar overdubs and one of the finest vocal performances this side of “Sweet Emotion”. New track number two is “Next Homecoming”. This has some killer riffs, great singing, and tight rhythm section. I don’t think you really need anything else. Well, good lyrics…

“In the morning when I slow
and the sun soon explodes
I need the world to be controlled
And in the evening when I leave
I need a reason to believe
In the next homecoming”

Ya dig?

“Listen” was one of the songs from Disciplined Breakdown that I thought was good, but nothing great. It features the usual strong performances from each member of the group, but just doesn’t really stand out in my mind. The bridge and solo section is incredible, but the rest is a little plain. Not a bad song, but I would’ve never had it pegged for a number one single. That’s why I don’t work in A&R. But then we are treated to the famous, jingling arpeggiated intro of “December”. This song was everywhere on the radio and for good reason. It’s one of those deceptively simple tracks that just stick in your mind. I never met a person that didn’t like this song who wasn’t a complete moron.

The final stop of this tour is Disciplined Breakdown’s “Forgiveness”. I have one question… “Why?” It’s never been one of my favorites, and I don’t recall it being released as a single. The lyrics are okay, but there are just so many other songs more deserving of being in a collection of this type. With the exclusion of a number one single, “Where the River Flows”, the inclusion of “Forgiveness” is that much more baffling. Oh well. The song just sort of drags on and if you skip it I won’t tell anyone.

If I haven’t made it abundantly clear by now, BUY THIS CD FOR GOD’S SAKE. AND STOP LISTENING TO STATIC-X AND SLIPKNOT!


Song Selection:
1. Heavy (from Dosage)
2. She Said (from Dosage)
3. Shine (From Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid)
4. Energy (previously unreleased)
5. Run (from Dosage)
6. Gel (from Collective Soul)
7. Precious Declaration (from Disciplined Breakdown)
8. Why Pt. 2 (from Blender)
9. The World I Know (from Collective Soul)
10. Next Homecoming (previously unreleased)
11. Listen (from Disciplined Breakdown)
12. December (from Collective Soul)
13. Forgiveness (from Disciplined Breakdown)

Top Picks: “which one is it?” “You must choose… but choose wisely…”

Band Members:
Ed Roland: vocals, guitars, keyboards, “man, the”
Dean Roland: guitars
Ross Childress: lead guitars
Will Turpin: bass, percussion
Shane Evans: drums, percussion



By Siralex, self-proclaimed top reviewer and expert