Collective Soul

Item: Blender
Author: Wesley Denton

Blender

(2000)

Reviewed by Wesley Denton

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Label Atlantic RecordsHM Magazine #87January/February 2001

alternative rock hard rock pop rock post-grunge

We all have 'comfort-foods.' For me it's Krispy Kreme doughnuts, and my mom's Kentucky chili. And in the realm of music, it's Collective Soul that sets me at ease. I have tons of CDs, and I buy at least 10 or more new ones each month, not to mention the countless number we are inundated with at the HM office. But every time I pop in a C.S. disc, I breathe a sigh of relief. I guess you could call them my musical sanctuary, a hideaway amidst the ever-changing scene of splintered genres and cores. Their new album Blender further provides just this kind of rock solace.

But this comfort does not translate to boredom of repetition -- it is actually quite the opposite. C.S. have proven time and again that they are comfortable with a wide variety of styles, from huge guitar rockers like "Skin" and "You Speak My Language," mid-tempo pop-radio-friendly tunes like "Turn Around" and "Perfect Day," to lingering ballads such as "10 Yrs Later." And with the top-notch songwriting and layered instrumentation found here, how could you ever be bored? This is not a scrappy 3-chord, English-accent garage band -- these guys are professional musicians.

On Blender, their fifth LP to date, we see Ed Roland and crew dabbling with more sampling, keys, and drum loops; a stepped-up progression from their last album, Dosage. And while many bands have been force-feeding the electronic influence upon their audience like brussels sprouts to an 8 year old (see U2's Pop, and Kid A from Radiohead), C.S. integrates it with surprising ease.

As far as lyrics go, C.S. have been increasingly vague since their first album with their words and meanings, opting for a general poetic approach, leaving the listener to make the final interpretation. And on Blender you will be somewhat perplexed at lines like: "Jesus didn't speak English/But I do think I understand/The rhyme and the reason of a goody-good gentleman/If I were one I'd swear/I'd still be tasting your skin" (from "Skin") or "...no truth in you exists.../I love you 'cause you're such a prick" (from "Vent"). But songs like "After All" seem to give a clear indication you cannot put your hopes in this world -- "Lately it seems we've been chasing what time's resolved/Maybe something means nothing here after all." But this is a call you need to make yourself, just don't expect any grand 'ministry' statements.

If you haven't heard any C.S. material since "Shine" saturated pop charts, you obviously do not own a car radio or have cable access to MTV. These guys have been the most consistent rock band of the last decade. Every album has featured huge radio hits, and this one will surely follow the trend. And if you need further proof of their credibility, check them out live. You will not be disappointed.