Categories : Music Reviews, Rock + Pop.
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Rating: 3/5 Released: February 7, 2006 Reviewer: Nathan Atnikov |
There’s something inherently frightening about that time in a band’s career when they decide to release an album that’s not only live, but with a backing orchestra. Doubly frightening then, if you are Collective Soul, and you’ve chosen to sit in with the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. Is it possible that a once mighty mid-90s band have fallen so low as to only be able to entice a youth orchestra to such a performance? Apparently so.
Surprisingly though, Home isn’t as embarrassing as the premise would suggest. Older songs like ‘December’ and ‘The World I Know’ translate well, and newer ones like ‘Counting the Days’ are no worse than in their original format. The poorest point of the album is singer Ed Roland’s performance. His baritone has always been a little grating, but when you can actually hear him straining to make his voice as low as possible, that’s the line. Behind him, the band is tight if a little uninspiring.
Home is hardly going to win over a new legion of Collective Soul fans, but it’ll be more than enough for the band’s loyal followers until they release their remix record.
