Sometimes an artist just needs 12 more songs to summarize their career. Case in point...
Collective Soul released a pretty decent best of compilation - 7even Year Itch: 1994-2001 - nearly a quarter of a century ago, but there's been nothing to summarize their output since then. Considering that output consists of seven albums and a couple of EPs, we've got our work cut out for us. (Since the band stopped having "hits" in 2009, most of these are just my personal preference, though I did give the singles first consideration).
1. "Better Now" (from Youth, 2004)
"Better Now" is buzzy burst of optimism that has stood the test of time/\.
2. "There's a Way" (from Youth, 2004)
Great riff, great chorus, great bridge, great song.
3. "What Can I Give You" (from Afterwords, 2007)
Fascinating structure on this one: It starts out somewhat pedestrian, then goes into a soaring chorus followed by an even more melodic post-chorus, then brings it back down for the instrumental bridge, toned-down chorus, and outro.
4. "Hollywood" (from Afterwords, 2007)
The last big "hit" of their first era.
5. "You" (from Collective Soul, 2009)
A U2-esque ballad from the band's last album before their hiatus (and, curiously, their second self-titled set).
6. "Contagious" (from See What You Started By Continuing, 2015)
The band focused on side projects and went through a few different line-up changes and before going back to the studio with new with drummer Johnny Rabb and guitarist Jesse Triplett. The resulting album had some signs of rust, but "Contagious" feels like something right out of the band's early days.
7. "Right As Rain" (from Blood, 2019)
In my mind, Blood began the true Collective Soul renaissance. This catchy, country-tinged rocker brought the band back to the Mainstream Rock chart for the first time in over a decade.
8. "Big Sky" (from Blood, 2019)
A marching beat drives the verses into a yearning, melodic chorus.
9. "Reason" (from Vibrating, 2022)
10. "Mother's Love" (from Here to Eternity, 2024)
11. "Keep It On Track" (from Here to Eternity, 2024)
One of the great things about Collective Soul Mach II is the band's willingness to embrace the songwriting formula and musical style that catapulted them to fame. Like "Contagious" before them, and like much of the Vibrating album, "Reason," "Mother's Love," "Keep It On Track" all manage to recall the band's '90s hits without rewriting them.
12. "Letter from E" (from Here To Eternity, 2024)
Another great thing about Collective Soul Mach II is the band's willingness to expand their sound. The double album Here to Eternity is full of songs that sound like Collective Soul, but also has surprising stylistic shifts such as the late-period Beatle-esque "Sister and Mary," the Dylan-esque "Bob Dylan (Where Are You Today)," and this harmony-laden piano-and-cello-focused ballad. By the way, Here to Eternity is that rare beast: A consistently good double album. And this is even more impressive for the fact that it was made by a band 30 years into their career.
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If you liked Collective Soul in their heyday, but have sort of forgotten about them since then, I urge you to give this a listen. You can start by checking out this playlist on YouTube Music. I think you'll find they're still just as artistically vital as ever.
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