"Blender" by Collective Soul

Don't be fooled by their slick production values or updated rock star image, for Collective Soul are burning the flame for the Seventies. Indeed their fifth album, Blender, is another testimonial of frontman Ed Roland's ability to craft catchy, no-frills rock songs inspired by classic rock and R&B bands. And for fans of a band who first commanded the airwaves with tunes such as Shine and December, that should suit them just fine.

Working for the second time with techno-savvy producer Anthony J. Resta -- who spruced up Duran Duran's engaging Medazzaland -- this Atlanta-based quintet wisely dress up their retro passions with new clothes. Happiness and Why Pt. 2 may sound like modern hard rock, but they're really arena stompers in the vein of REO or Boston with a little rhythm programming to counterbalance the power chords. Likewise, Vent riffs off a disco groove with a slight techno twist, featuring background vocals from Shawn Mullins. The band even lured in Sir Elton John to lend his vocals and swaggering piano work to the soulful Perfect Day, which also includes subtle programming work.

To their credit, Collective Soul are able to make this all sound palatable and fresh with a musical mixture of past and present and a lyrical approach toward personal-but-not-too-deep. Roland's vocals can be both gritty and soothing, and his band knows how to get into the groove. For bands who are considering jumping on the impending Eighties revival bandwagon, they would be smart to investigate how Collective Soul have taken the music that they grew up with and revamped it for a new generation.

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