Once in a while, a mainstream album comes along that deserves attention from me. Collective Soul are back with their 7th studio album in 13 years. The public stopped paying attention to this band after “Blender” in 2000 and it’s a damn shame. With “Afterwords” Ed Rolland and the band have come full circle back to the sound and style that put them on the map. It’s those big clean hook-filled rock anthems that they did so well in the late 90s. Things kick off with the blistering “New Vibration”, a powerhouse tour de force that is anchored by new drummer Ryan Hoyle and a killer guitar riff. Next up is “What I Can Give You” a catchy tune with layers of guitars, a pounding backbeat, and smooth vocals. “All That I Know” continues the hit parade, and although it’s very good, it’s nothing new for this band. “I Don’t Need Anymore Friends” tries a new vocal here and Joel Kosche does a decent job. “Good Morning After All” has steady rhythm section and inspiring lyrics (“But you swear there’s always hope/Always hope from above/Now everything starts to fall into place”) and it is my favorite track. If you are a Collective Soul fan, tracks like this feel like a favorite pair of comfortable old sneakers. The next track “Hollywood” is a very Cars inspired track – it’s pretty good, but ultimately sounds like a throwaway tribute track. “Adored” and “Georgia Girl” close the album nicely as inspirational ballads. No tunes here are really throwaways (unless you count “Hollywood”). Overall it’s good, solid power pop that isn’t heard much nowadays. Go to the band’s site to hear the whole album streaming.

Collective Soul’s Main Site | My Space | Itunes

Listen to “New Vibration”

Listen to “Hollywood”

Let me start by saying The Trolleyvox are consistently good. They have produced four albums, each with the smooth professional vocals of Beth Filla, and the Byrdsian guitar work of Andrew Chalfen. And to add to this rarity, we have a double CD album. The discs are musically from different worlds, “Your Secret Safe” is power pop, and “Luzerne” is ambient folk instrumentals. If you’re familiar with this blog, you’ll understand as I will put aside “Luzerne” and talk about “Your Secret Safe.” After the success and positive critical reception of the last album “The Karaoke Meltdowns,” the Trolleyvox have accelerated to the forefront of the Philadelphia indie scene. Chalfen’s songwriting and pacing has only improved with time here. Unlike earlier records, the melodic guitar stylings are more prominent and early Peter Townshend seems a bigger influence than Roger McGuinn. This is evidenced by an awesome cover of “Our Love Was” (from The Who Sell Out). Beginning the album with “I Call on You” it sets the tone as jangle pop similar to REM, Dream Syndicate or especially, The Blake Babies. The band’s combination of moody sixities guitar and free form lyrical approach works well for songs like “Rabbit in the Sun” and “Jean Jacket.” Both are standouts here and with great hooks that warrant repeat listens. Beth’s vocals are hypnotizing and carry every tune along. There are plenty of nods to psych-pop lite with the understated brilliance of “Fume of Sighs” – a gentle mid-tempo song with wonderful harmonies and lyrics, it’s my favorite song on this album. Toward the end of the album it mellows a bit with songs like “Can you find a way down?” and the 11 minute jam of “Cricket in Euphoria” after which you could easily put on the “Luzerne” CD and sip coffee and read a novel in your favorite Starbucks. It beats the “song of the day” any day of the week.

My Space | Emusic | Not Lame | Kool Kat Musik | Transit of Venus

Listen to “Jean Jacket” from “Your Secret Safe” CD

Listen to “Call on You” from “Your Secret Safe” CD