Customer Reviews

Collective Soul: Afterwords - Only at Target

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

No surprise here: another solid 11 song set from the boys from Atlanta. Collective soul have had a formula that's worked for them since the beginning, and they don't deviate from it here. Impeccable, precise, air-tight production; some rockers with riffs; some midtempo, more comtemplative songs; radio-friendly, arena-friendly songs - they're all here. Most bands that stick to such a rigid formula stagnate or become tiresome after an album or two. Collective Soul, though, absolutely flourish. I can't explain it, really. For them, it just works. Their sound falls somewhere between U2 and Def Leppard, and one gets the sense that that's exactly where they want to be.

This feels very much like a sequel to their last album, "Youth," as it seems to carry through on the positive, energetic momentum of that cd - perhaps their no longer being on a big label has something to do with it. Ed Roland's songwriting remains in good form, though he's still using the same tricks (note the ooh-ooh-ooh chorus of "Never Here Alone," something CS has done over and over). Roland does well to allow guitarist Joel Kosche to take the mic on his "I Don't Need Anymore Friends," (a much more successful song than the last one that featured a different vocalist, the appalling "Dandy Life" from Dosage, which is otherwise my favorite CS album, along with their self-title second cd). And of course the single "Hollywood" is destined for all future CS best-of packages.

If you liked Collective Soul's previous albums, I have no doubt you'll enjoy this one, too. There isn't a bad song in the bunch - just 40 minutes of Collective Soul doing what Collective Soul does.

[A note on this CD's availability only through Target: In this new era of music, the band has acknowledged that they need to market their cd in a new way, and this Target-exclusive strategy is the option they decided to try. Why not? When released, it was under $10. I have no problem with that, and, personally, I give them credit for trying to break from the failing music industry's normal strategy.]

I have been a fan of Collective Soul for well over a decade. But it wasn't until a few years ago when YOUTH came out that I realized just how much I loved this band. I realized that they were one of the few bands I could count on to deliver every single time they put out new music. Then when their acoustic EP FROM THE GROUND UP was released, I found one of the greatest things ever to grace my music collection. It was like going out on their own and leaving Atlantic Records, gave them a new shot of energy and a newfound creative freedom that hadn't felt in a long time. I had been anticipating AFTERWORDS quite a bit and I was excited when I learned I could hear the album in it's entirety a full week before the official release date...

But don't worry, just because I downloaded the album doesn't mean I won't be buying a copy myself. In fact I plan on buying 3-4 copies for friends and family members, just to support the band. So what exactly do I think of the new album AFTERWORDS? It's a nice mix of their old style and their new sound, it all flows together perfectly and it's definitely one of their best overall albums. I have listened to it twice and I definitely had that 'I can't to hear these songs again' moment on several occasions. Yeah, it's that damn good! Collective Soul are one of those bands who combine a unique ability to sound familiar, yet totally fresh on each release. When you hear a Collective Soul song, you know it. But not in an AC/DC kind of way, where it's the same song over and over again.

I'm not big on going track by track, I'll just say it's a damn good album and you definitely need to check it out!

Few rock bands that had their start in the 1990s have continued to release noteworthy material. Far too many bands from both sides of the rock n' roll spectrum have either burned out, as in the case of Nirvana, Guns 'N' Roses, Stone Temple Pilots, Dog's Eye View, Toad the Wet Sprocket, Semisonic, and The Verve Pipe (just to name a few), or falled from grace and cherished only by their legions of fans (like Counting Crows, Everclear, Live, and Pearl Jam). Their best work is behind them. Fortunately, a few bands have soldiered on and brought outstanding music into the 21st century.

Collective Soul is one of them. Afterwords is yet another solid album and does not disappoint. In my opinion, it actually outshines Youth and promises a great future ahead for the group. The only flaw that can be found in Afterwords is that it's too short. "Burn," from the live double album 'Home,' would have been a awesome addition. Highlights include "New Vibration," "Bearing Witness," "Good Morning After All," and of course, "Adored."

If you enjoy this album, I recommend that you catch up with The Wallflowers (yes, they're still around), another band from the 1990s that continues to release great music. Their albums 'Red Letter Days'(2002) and 'Rebel, Sweetheart'(2005) are criminally underrated.

If you like catchy melodies, energizing guitar riffs, intricate intstrumentation, thought-provoking lyrics, then you will love this CD. I almost did not buy this CD because I could not listen to samples on Amazon.com. I am glad that I overcame my reluctance to purchase it. This is destined to become one of my favorites.

This is a CD where the band committed itself to the art of composing and arranging. I don't know whether it will be a commercial success, in part because you can only buy it at Target. It is too bad that the exclusivity of the retailer may keep people from hearing this remarkable recording. This is the kind of CD that so many people would enjoy. I plan to buy copies for my family and friends, but that won't get it to platinum. So, do yourself and the band a favor and head over to Target and get yourself a copy.

When I first heard Hollywood, I thought it was great song and couldn't wait to get the album. Well I bought it the morning it came out, and I must say how much I LOVE this album! New Vibrations has to be my favorite song so far. I haven't taken the cd out of my player yet! And I haven't skipped one song. Although the repeat button has been used a little too much! LOL! If you are a fan of CS you will love this album! I cannot wait to see them in concert!

i'm a huge collective soul fan, really. every album i buy the day it comes out, and today was no exception even though i hate target. while its definitely a great disc in general, for collective soul i think its kinda below par. all the songs sound pretty much the same, except for songs like 'georgia girl' and 'adored' but thats only because they're slower than the rest of the album. speaking of slow songs, why have they not done anymore 'run' or 'ten years later' type songs? 'afterwords' is a good cd and all, but i just think collective soul got a little lazy with being original on this one. one other fan pointed out the redundancy of some of their choruses...even some of the lyrics i remember from past albums. they're clearly trying to return to the mainstream which is having a negative effect on their sound. granted these are all thoughts after only a few listens so hopefully, like with most new albums, it will sound more distinct with a few more spins.

All those who grew up listening to CS in the 90s should rejoice. Back with only 3/4ths of the original group but still strong as ever. "Afterwords" is a great modern/alternative rock album and a perfect follow-up to "Youth". It may not rank right up there with Disciplined Breakdown or CS, but falls somewhere in the middle of their catalogue.
The best song on the album for me is "Hollywood", a perfect pop-rock ditty that will keep you humming the tune for days to come. "I don't need anymore friends" is sung in its enterity by Joel and he does a pretty good job of it. Joel has slowly become an integral part of the band in just his second contribution. "What I Can Give You" has a chorus section that will remind you of "Run", while "Georgia Girl" and "Adored" are reminiscent of songs like "She Said" and "Compliment". Overall the rest of the songs are standard with "Never Here Alone" being the only above-average track. My least favourite of the lot is "New Vibration". It just dosen't have the punch of other opening tracks like "Shine", "Simple" or "Better Now".
In a nutshell, CS fans should definitely buy this record (goes without saying:). If you love good modern rock like Fuel, Drowning Pool, Foo Fighters, Live.....pick this record up. At only $9.98 this week at Target, it is a steal. I still miss Ross, but Joel does an equally good job and so does Ryan Hoyle behind the drum-kit. Rock on CS. Will catch them live on tour in September.

Love this album. Lot's of catchy tunes and "Georgia Girl" is one of the more beautiful songs I've heard in a really long time. Keep 'um coming, guys!

This cd rocks. Collective soul is back and better than ever. Every song is awesome.
phil R scott

I just saw these guys open for Live and Counting Crows in Frederick, Maryland. Simply awesome! Collective Soul's songs are hugely popular, but the band itself isn't. Everyone knows at least four or more of their songs but most of them cannot connect the song to the artist. I've only heard two songs from their new album, "Afterwards". The first is "Hollywood", (available from itunes), and the second is "New Vibration". Both are about as good as "pop-rock" can be. Amazing guitar hooks and strong melodies to sing along to. You will love both songs instantly. If these two songs are any indication, "Afterwards" may be their best album to date.