MR

After seeing a couple members here mentioning how they'd like to see Styx tour with Collective Soul I figured I should bring them up. As they are one of my favorite bands. I've loved everything they did, and it thrilled me to no end to hear Ed Roland singing on the 7 Deadly Zens album.

This band just keeps impressing me, especially with the state of the music business how it is. I love how they broke off from their label and started their own and how it gives them the freedom that all bands should have. In just over a year they've released a new album, an Acoustic EP, and a Double CD/ DVD live with the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra (which is incredible, especially if you were there). Also having been allowed to explore new sounds has resulted in a very classic rock sounding album (the song Better Now is often compared to a Bowie/Cars kind of mix)

Anyway, I just thought I'd expand on a brief idea someone else brought up and see everyone's thoughts.

Collective soul rule, I really like how they came back with youth, Feels Like, better now and counting the days are my favorites. I never really cared for the acoustic ep but I love the symphony album-dvd, they aired it on direct tv the other month and it was awesome. I've always thought their first few albums and the goo goo dolls first few albums(around they boy named goo times) are the best albums out there

I bought the first two Collective Soul albums and really enjoyed the second album alot. However, for one reason or another I never did keep up with the band. Can somebody with the whole catalog fill me in on how the band progressed starting with the third album and are any of the newer ones on par with the first two?

Thanks

I never got into Collective Soul
But man when I heard their song
Better Now I was amazed that
song musically slaps me around.
What energy!..I love it.

Go buy their latest album Youth. It's amazing. Under Heavens Skies is my favorite song of the year.

So for a "newbie" with this band, which cd should I start off with?? Or if anyone would like to make me copies

Is this a newer band that sounds pretty much like Classic Rock that most of us grew up with???

Scott, love your location!! How would you know that I would've thought of that?? (LOL)

swwskj wrote:I bought the first two Collective Soul albums and really enjoyed the second album alot. However, for one reason or another I never did keep up with the band. Can somebody with the whole catalog fill me in on how the band progressed starting with the third album and are any of the newer ones on par with the first two?

Thanks

The whole catalog would be (in chronological order)

- Hints Allegations and Things Left Unsaid - Only big hit here was Shine, Ok album, not the best

- Self Titled - Hits: December, The World I Know, Gel, Where the River Flow - One of the best albums, more modern influence than others

- Disciplined Breakdown - Hits: Precious Declaration, Listen - Where they start to transition to a bit more classic of a style, less crucnching guitars, but as many big melodies as the last album

- Dosage - Hits: Heavy, Run, She Said - Where they start to get more experimental with their sounds, bigger orchestral pieces (Needs) even a 3/4 Waltz kinda piece (Not the One)

- Blender - Hits: Why Pt. 2, Perfect Day - After stressing over the perfection of the last album this one is more layed back, more acoustics, less polish

- 7Even Year Itch - Greatest Hits

- Youth - Hits: Better Now, Counting the Days, How Do You Love - After 4 years the band reappears with a new guitarist and a more upbeat exhilarating tone that was missing off the last studio album.

- From the Ground Up - An acoustic EP that contained both older and newer tracks. For the most part its not the hits, but some lesser known songs

- Home: A Live Show With the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra - It's live, and it's brilliant, the orchestra parts that have run through songs before are more brought out and when they add new orchestration its incredible (see: Heavy)

If I was gonna recommend what one to get I'd say start with Youth or Home, both are great representations of the bands current sound. Then if your gonna move backwards I'd go for either Dosage or the Self Titled as they are both incredible. If your a little hesitant of the more modern roots trying the greatest hits is always good too.

I feel like an advertisement.

I highly recommend 7 year itch (greatest hits) if you are just beginning to get into Collective Soul. I was surprised by how many songs I knew.

Their new live dvd with the Atlanta Youth Symphony is pretty good to.

I became a huge fan after seeing them last summer at a festival.

Angie wrote:

Their self titled is my favorite. Dosage rocks too....SHIT! I still owe you Isaak cd's, don't I! Be patient with me and I'll add a couple Collective Soul.

Thanks Angie, I hope you don't take as long as I take to send out cd's - LOL I have friends waiting 3 years now - LOL

Thanks, I would love some Collective Soul cd's too!!

"Youth" is the best album of their career!

There isn't a bad song to be found on it... what a great album!

Angie wrote:

No, as a matter of fact, I have a couple done already. I'll do the rest tonight and get them out this week!

Thanks Angie!! I'm looking forward to hearing them!

I've been listening to the ELO cd's that Space sent. OMG, I haven't heard all these songs in years! I would love to see ELO live if they ever tour. What great music.

DarwinNebraska wrote:

"Youth" is the best album of their career!
There isn't a bad song to be found on it... what a great album!

I can't wait to hear this one. I remember when I first received my "Grand Illusion" album, there wasn't a bad song on that one either!!

I'm looking forward to listening to this group!!