Live

Collective Soul

Suretone Records, 2017

http://www.collectivesoul.com

REVIEW BY: Pete Crigler

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: 12/18/2017

The first ever full-length live record by Collective Soul is packed to the gills with hits. Nearly every major hit of their 25+ years is here. Kicking off with the still-rocking “Heavy,” it’s clear the band hasn’t lost a step in their lengthy career. Ed Roland still sounds great as the band’s frontman/leader, and it’s a role that he plays well.my_heart_sings_the_harmony_web_ad_alt_250

“Precious Declaration,” a personal favorite, feels a bit sluggish and is sped up more than it should be. Of the newer songs here, “AYTA” comes off well and shows the band can still come up with interesting material and do new things that are still appealing all these years later.

“Gel” and “Why Pt. 2” turn into some of the great highlights here; loud and full of vigor, they really are great and exhilarating to hear. “Shine” turns into one of several lengthy jams that go on longer than necessary, but that’s what happens with live albums. “The World I Know,” another personal favorite, is one of those songs that never gets old and still sounds great, no matter how many times you hear it.

Even songs like “Needs” and “Counting The Days” that weren’t originally hits come across exceptionally well and are two of the big takeaways from this record. They are both excellent highlights of an extremely expansive career.

I’m not usually a fan of live records, finding them to usually be just lame and unnecessary. But this one is quite different, showcasing the sound of a band that isn’t ready to throw in the creative towel just yet. All in all, this is quite a compendium of the band’s long career and their continuing ability to please fans both new and old.

Rating: B

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