MTV review on Collective Soul's "Blender"

Although Collective Soul is frequently lumped together with the post-grunge, sensitive-guy crowd, the Atlanta, GA quintet's music packs more substance than the usual suspects. Rather than wallow in the requisite pool of pseudo-romantic yearning, frontman/main songwriter Ed Roland dwells on a more cryptic range of sentiments, some romantic, some spiritual, some between both. More importantly, the music that gives form to his ruminations is crisp and concrete, a precise balance between pop allure and metallic edge, the impulse to rock out and a artful sense of restraint.

On its fifth album, Collective Soul pulls a U2 maneuver, charging up a new batch of tunes with a jolt of techno energy a la Achtung Baby. Deftly deployed, the slinky elements enhance rather than disrupt the fundamental character of the music. The grooves are both fluid and air-tight whether rough and chunky ("You Speak My Language"), svelte and spunky ("Vent") or shimmery and simmering ("After All"). Lead guitarist Ross Childress basks in the spotlight on a few occasions, adding tasteful solo work to several tracks ("After All" and "Ten Yrs Later"), but most of the time (notably on the first single "Why Pt. 2") he's content to underscore the seductive rhythms with incisive riffs.

Roland and co-producer Anthony J. Resta's arrangements are lively but uncluttered, leaving room for various elements to surface, prompting subtle mood shifts: the heartfelt piano (courtesy of Elton John) and soulful organ in "Perfect Day," the distorted background vocals and ticking drum machine in "Over Tokyo"; an assortment of guitar effects and keyboard sounds that add texture and flavor throughout the album.

Short, sweet and to the point, the 11 tracks comprising Blender whir past in under 40 minutes without skimping on content. Collective Soul pulls this off because they not only know how to play, they know when not to play.

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