First off I'd like to say I'm a huge collective soul fan. I grew up in the 90's and can recall hearing there music all the time. Weather it was through the radio or my dad's CD's, I remember always hearing Collective Soul (or the Counting Crows, who are equally as great as collective soul). The only Collective Soul CD I'm missing is Youth, which I Hear is a pretty good album. This brings me to my piont, collective soul has always managed to put out good albums, this one is no exception. It has a little something for everyone Hard Rockers:"New Vibration", Anthems:"All That I know", and moving Ballads:"Adored","Bearing Witness", And even a huge hit song:"Hollywood". My advice: Buy this album, support the band, they really deserve it they've always satisfied us with good music and this album is just another one to add to the collection so buy it ,you'll like, and if you don't you have a seriously warped musical taste

Oh, I really hated this release when I first heard it. As a rocker, it seemed way too pop for my tastes and I wondered what happened to these guys. After a few more listens, I guess it's alright, but it's my least favorite Collective Soul release. After many painful listens, I've sort of grown to like "All That I Know", "New Vibrations", and "What I Can Give You" - but that's it. I just can't get into any of the other songs at all. And, I have to say "Hollywood" is one of the worst songs ever. Honestly, having been a fan of CS since their national debut and comparing their catalog of songs to "Hollywood", I'm so incredibly embarrassed for them. I mean really.

I like the relaxed and spontaneous sound to this CD. Why is it that some listeners have a problem with pop/rock? In Britain such a label would not be looked down upon. If you don't believe me then check out BritPop. One of my favorite bands from the '90s--alongside Collective Soul--is Blur, a BritPop band. Only in America is it uncool to be pop.

I've been a fan of CS from the beginning and I love all their CD's but there's something about this one that's different from the rest. It seems more mature and relaxed from their previous work. I love it! They grow on me more and more and I find myself humming the lyrics all day. Definitely one to keep! Don't listen to the previous negative reviews...check it out for yourself!

If half stars were available, I would give it 3 and a half, but 4 is just too high.

If you are willing to realize what Collective Soul is, a band that puts out pretty good ear candy that doesnt attempt to be world changing, they are fun to listen to. Their last 3 albums are almost interchangeable and you really could call them Catchy Hooks Volumes 1, 2 and 3 (though the first of the 3...Blender...is the worst of the 3). The songs structures are all very similar: a couple of short choruses that lead to very catchy and repetitive choruses and a bridge thrown in about 2/3 of the way through the song. My "other half" and I listen to very different kinds of music: she prefers sing along pop and I prefer more moody "thinking" rock. But when we go on trips, we both can agree on popping in a Collective Soul cd, especially the most recent two, Afterwords and Youth.

The latest, Afterwords, contains several good tracks: the bouncy and vibrant "New Vibrations", the distorted anthemic rocker about realizing love "Persuasion of You", the feel good anthem "Never Alone", the glossy pop rock of "Hollywood", and the pensive closer "Adored". The only glaring mistake was turning over the lead vocals to Joel Kosche...he aint no singer. I realize Ed Roland aint no Sinatra, but his voice fits the music very well. So lets let him take all the lead vocal parts...please!!! Its also apparent that Joel Kosche isnt quite the guitarist Ross Childress was. It seems the guitar parts are a little more simple and straightforward than they were years ago, but the pop CS produces now doesnt really require virtuoso playing.

All in all, if you and your other half are looking for some good sing along pop rock music, Collective Soul fits the billing. They are never going to win album of the year, but I dont think they are trying to.

One last note, the cd IS worth the 11 or 12 bucks you would pay at Target or the 9 or 10 you would pay at Itunes, but certainly not the $30 import price.