Review of Youth

After a four year hiatus, Collective Soul returned with a new album, a new guitar player, and a new record label; their own. Ostensibly, the reasoning behind leaving their former label was to take more control over the creative and marketing process.

Like all previous Collective Soul albums, Youth is a compilation of solid music that you can sing along to. “Home” is a sound political statement about the beauties of America, “Him” is a Go-Your-Own-Way kiss-off to an ex (presumably lead singer Ed Roland’s ex-wife, now married to former lead guitarist Ross Childress), and “Under Heaven’s Skies” is a tune with genuine comeback hit written all over it, utilizing soaring guitar work by newcomer Joel Kosche and lyrics that would have any lady ready to fly to Vegas. Unfortunately, none of these three songs have yet to be released as singles. Instead, the band chose to release “Better Now”, a tribute to their creative resurgence, “Counting the Days”, a guitar driven dedication to personal freedom, and the sappy, self pitying ballad “How Do You Love”.

Collective Soul’s work ethic and talent in crafting meaningful songs has never been in doubt. However, as Youth demonstrates, they have never been especially gifted in releasing material that will bring back old fans and create new ones. It is there, if you buy the album, but if you aren’t already familiar with the band (and the numbers say that most people are not), it is doubtful that you will get to hear it.