Album: Afterwords /  Band: Collective Soul  /  11 tracks /  Rock

 

Afterwords, the current album from Collective Soul is comprised of a mixture of hard hitting, guitar driven rock tunes, that slam you up against the wall like one of those lightening fast amusement park rides, and contrasts those songs with tender confessions of love that leave the listener feeling grateful for their significant other, or pining for past or future lovers. Both themes come into play on the first two tracks, the opening salvo “New Vibration,” and the love ballad “What Can I Give You,” sung by Ed Roland.

 

There are no hidden agendas or secretive messages in “What Can I Give You,” only Ed Roland confessing his love, and asking the woman with whom he is in love to consider choosing the love that he has to give her, which will outlive anything of material worth. The song stands in contrast to the opening track, because although the tune “What Can I Give You,” is up-tempo, it is not as furious as “New Vibration,” and the melody breathes a little easier. Roland plays a pretty keys bridge.

 

Drummer Ryan Hoyle’s strong backbeat and a ragged melody line set the stage for some Robbie Williams like vocals by Ed Roland, as he sings “Never Here Alone,” which chronicles the journey back from loneliness and despair to rediscovering “blue skies.”

 

The fourth track “Bearing Witness,” is a journey of self discovery, and it possesses a contagious melody which invites the listener to join in the singing. Stickman Ryan Hoyle does an excellent job of accompanying Ed Roland, rather than competing with his vocals, or merely being content to become some forgotten part of the musical décor. On the lines, “Some days I surrender / Some days I resolve,” Roland reaches for a higher octave and creates somewhat of a faux falsetto.

 

Joel Kosche (lead guitarist) and Dean Roland on rhythm guitar create the magic for “All That I Know,” with some scintillating guitar work, which fuels this love letter; that is a confession of all consuming love. At 4:11 the song is one of the longer tunes on the album.  “All That I Know,” is one of the best songs on Afterwords, because it is well crafted, both musically and vocally. It is easy to visualize concertgoers holding up their cell phones and lighters as the band plays.

 

Kosche penned the sixth track, “I Don’t Need Anymore Friends,” and appropriately he takes the lead vocals on a song, which finds the singer in a dour mood, as he pushes others away, at the conclusion of a very tough day. Bassist Will Turpin carries the tune, Ed Roland’s keys add depth and color, and Kosche’s vocals have a bit of bite to them.

 

Interestingly enough “I Don’t Need Anymore Friends,” is followed on the album by the song “Good Morning After All,” a song of hope, in which the singer turns to God for strength.

 

More serious themes are abandoned for the fun; roll the top down on the car, “Hollywood,” songwriting collaboration between Ed Roland and Joel Kosche. This is a let the wind blow through your hair kind of a song, as you and your friends roll down the highway. The lyrics are simple and Will Turpin serves up a thundering bass bridge.

 

The last three tracks on the album are “Persuasion Of Love,” a hard hitting, fast paced rock tune, with lots of guitar wizardry, “Georgia Girl,” which is an appropriately titled song for a band that hails from Georgia, and the reflective “Adored,” the closing track.  

 

 

 

 

Reviewed May 2009

Click here for printer friendly version