Since making its debut in 1994, Collective Soul has consistently released very good music, including their latest, Vibrating. Their lineup has remained Ed & Dean Rolland, and bassist Will Turpin and they have maintained their standard of excellence while producing well-received post-grunge rock for a devoted audience. Nearly three decades after their founding, they continue to strive to create music with strong melodies and hooks. In contrast to last year’s concert supporting Vibrating, this concert was a “greatest hits” celebration. And they have plenty of fan-favorites, including honoring fellow Georgian band R.E.M. with a cover of “The One I Love.”
In general, mainstream artists don’t always consider themselves in the power pop genre, but last year these artists made us proud. If you missed these albums check them out, my favorite mainstream albums of 2022…
Elvis Costello “The Boy Named If”
I did a full review of this album earlier in the year. It is a magnificent comeback for Elvis after years of experimentation with Jazz, Spanish translations, and other things. Each track shines and he hasn’t sounded this good in years. No highlights – listen to the entire album from beginning to end and soak it in.| Amazon
Panic! At The Disco “Viva Las Vengeance”
Ever since 2008’s Pretty. Odd. singer Brendon Urie’s charismatic, cross-pollinated brand of pop moved away from his emo roots toward something resembling power pop, as that album was Beatles-influenced. But Viva Las Vengeance, produced by power-pop fave Mike Viola, was a love letter to glam, rock, and power-pop. Highlights: “Middle Of A Breakup,” “Local God,” and ” Sugar Soaker.” Highly recommended. | Amazon
Collective Soul “Vibrating”
The band has become a rock and roll institution, 30 years after the hit single “Shine” and it continues to roll on with this new collection of music. Ed Roland and the guys have laid down another solid album. One of the rare touring bands that offer new music on par with their established hits, at least for the album’s first half. Highlights: “Cut The Cord,” “Reason,” and “All Our Pieces.” Full review here | Amazon
Weezer “SZNZ”
A new EP has been released at the dawn of each season of 2022, and it totals 28 tracks when it’s all done. Rivers Cuomo is a unique talent who is both amazing and frustrating in equal measure. A fitting coda is “Iambic Pentameter” where even though he doesn’t know what’s in his “messed-up head” it still sounds great. Like most post-Hurley Weezer, there are enough diamonds to be found once you dig deep, past the musical sketch fluff. Highlights: “Dark Enough To See Stars,” “Francesca,” “A Little Bit of Love,” and “Records” are starting points. | Amazon
WITH CONCERT FOOTAGE! Aaron chats with Dean Rolland, guitarist for Collective Soul. We talk about the new album “Vibrating” and the concert tour. Read the review here.
🎸 Visit this link to get their album: Amazon
Check out “All Our Pieces”
The days of classic rock bands soldiering on with new material are fewer and further between, but Collective Soul has an enviable track record. They have nearly 30 years of solid anthemic rock under their collective veteran belts, and Vibrating continues that tradition. Densely saturated melodies and hooks continue to be the focus of the songwriting, and Ed Roland knows his fan base well. Drawing from the band’s grungey roots, he always manages to craft expressive and emotional statements, and the “power” in this pop is undeniable.
The first 3 songs are easy to love, “Cut The Cord,” and “Reason,” are loaded with that familiar energy, especially “All Our Pieces,” which boasts an excellent sing-along hook. The band then calms down a bit with mid-tempo rockers, “Take” and “Undone” and Roland and the band do a great job with these tracks. Past the midpoint, it gets less predictable as “A Conversation With” reminds me of Peter Gabriel a little. Things aren’t as memorable until “Back Again” a slow-building rocker that seems to be directed at an ex-lover and Roland sells it well with his deep tremolo. Overall, a highly recommended addition to the Collective Soul catalog.
One of the brightest young power pop artists I’ve heard recently is Toronto’s Ben Cook, aka Young Guv. His first EP made my 2019 Best-of list and his continued growth as an artist is heartening to rock fans who fear those classic influences are on the wane. Drawn from the influences of The Byrds, Beatles, Todd Rundgren, and others he creates irresistible melodies than evoke the past without sounding like a tribute band. This collection is a combination of two albums with a bonus track. Both albums were created in the isolated New Mexico wilderness, and are focused on the power of love.
Starting with the opening jangle of “I Couldn’t Leave You If I Tried” it feels like a lost Teenage Fanclub classic, with a hook that doesn’t overstay its welcome. If anything III is nearly flawless. For example, the Big Star-like “Only Wanna See You Tonight” and the Britpop fuzz of “Scam Likely,” each song is efficiently composed and rendered. Once we get to IV, Ben takes a few more stylistic liberties but the earworms are still here, from the tambourine shakes and handclaps of “Too Far Gone” to the West Coast strum and slide guitar of “Change Your Mind.” Further on the songs get longer, and they don’t always stick (“Overcome”) or feel more like sketches (“Cold In The Summer.”) However, Guv’s batting average over 24 tracks is pretty darn good. Highly Recommended.
