Collective Soul is a rock band that hail from Georgia and started to become popular in the post-grunge movement. They formed in the early 90's in the small town of Stockbridge, Georgia and released an album titled
Hints, Allegations and Things Left Unsaid on a small indie label called
Rising Storm Records in 1993. When the album began to gain popularity and success with the help of the single
Shine they signed on to Atlantic Record and re-released the album in 1994. Since then, Collective Soul has gone on to release four more albums between 1995 - 2000 with success and being a popular rock band in the mid to late nineties. Then in 2001 they released this album "7even Year Itch", a greatest hits collection spanning over their early career with a very good song selection and some very well known songs. And for just knowledge, Collective Soul got their name from a line in Ayn Rand's book,
The Fountainhead. Now on to the album
As I stated earlier this has a very good song selection and songs you probably heard most of, and just never knew it was Collective Soul. Anyway, the album opens up with the brilliant song
Heavy taken from the album
Dosage released in 1999. This is a great song with a familiar riff. This song is also featured on the NHL 2001 video game for Playstation. Next is
She Said, a nice mellow song with good vocals as provided by Ed Roland. Not much else to say about the song other than that is a good song and can only be found on this album. The third song is
Shine, the song that made them popular, off their debut album. You have probably heard this song as it was a hit back in the 90's and is still played on radio stations today from time to time. It is definitely one of the best on the album. After Shine comes
Energy, a great track which is also only found on this album. It is softer as compared to the previous song but an enjoyable one, nonetheless. The 5th track is
Run, taken off of
Dosage, an excellent acoustic song with nice melody and some violin in the song. About half way through the song, electric guitar comes in with a nice little solo. Overall an excellent song.
Gel featured on their 1995 self titled album. This song is harder than the previous two songs. Gel was a moderate hit for the band and saw some airtime back in its day. Not one of my favorites, but still a decent song.
Now half way through the album comes
Precious Declaration, the opening track on their 1997 album
Disciplined Breakdown. This is a rockin' song that opens with a drumbeat and then kicks into a sleak guitar riff. Also features a great drumbeat throughout the song. Track number 8
Why PT. 2 was a big hit for the band and it is easy to see why. This song is easily one of the best on the album. Why PT. 2 was on their last album before this album was out, 2000's
Blender. This song has a heavy riff and a great solo from Dean Roland. Alright, this next song is my favourite song on the album and featured on their self titled disc.
The World I Know is like the ballad of the album. A very nice acoustic intro, and then the violin and drums kick in. Great lyrics in this song and sung well by Ed Roland who really has a great voice. Just an amazing song.
Next Homecoming is a song with a heavy intro with weird sounding vocals in the verses, but then sounds better in the chorus. Not one of my favorites on the album, but still good.
Listen is another great song featured off of Disciplined Breakdown. This song was a fairly big hit from the band. A decent song with a cool solo. The second last song on the CD is
December. You have probably heard this as it is was a huge hit for the band and a song with an extremely catchy chorus and guitar. Now to the last song on the album,
Forgiveness, the last of three songs from Disciplined Breakdown, and probably the best of the three. A nice mellow song clocking in at exactly five minutes. A great way to end this compilation.
This is one of the better compilations I have heard, considereing the amount of songs. It has 13 of the bands best and does a great job spanning over their career, though it misses some greates, these were their hits. I think Collective Soul is often over looked and underrated which is unfortunate as they are a really great band. They have since made a comeback with their 2004 album
Youth. This album, while not containing very many songs, can be bought for a reasonable price and a good look at some of the band's better songs.
As far as compilation albums go, it certainly serves well for only containing thirteen songs, and for the price ofr this, it is sure worth it.
Recommended Songs
The World I Know
Run
Heavy
Why Pt. 2
December
Forgiveness
