By
Maggie Burnett
Collective Soul
Blender
(Atlantic)
Grade: A
Since their last major hit, "The World I Know," Collective Soul has been hard at work in the studio producing their latest CD Blender.
Collective Soul first hit the airwaves in 1994 with the release of their first album Hints, Allegations and Things Left Unsaid. Both "The World I Know" and the band's first single "Shine" bear a harder, metal edge and somewhat dismal lyrics.
However, Blender has a distinctly more of a rock/pop-sound than any of the band's previous albums. Those who found the heavier sound of the band's previous hits such as "The World I Know" or "She Said" to be slightly overbearing will find the songs on Blender significantly more upbeat.
Take the song "Perfect Day" for example. The song features pop-sensation Elton John singing soulful lyrics such as "Troubles blooming/ innocence now fades/she's still dry through all the rain...I would walk a million miles/to give her all that she needs."
Despite John only gracing one track on the album, the rest of the music has a similar sound and equally meaningful lyrics. Another soon-to-be-radio hit is the album's first track "Skin." Lyrics like "I'm starting to feel loopy/your dizziness consumes me" simply reiterates Collective Soul's new-found desire to experiment with pop music.
Blender is a true example of the older-artist's desire to conform to pop-culture, yet it works for Collective Soul. The band has been down the "dark and dreary" road in the past and Blender provides a refreshing sound to the band's already well-honed vocals.
