Artist:  Collective Soul
Title: Home
Label: El Music Group
Tracks: 22

It’s hard to believe that it has been a decade since Collective Soul first captured the ears of modern rock fans. The band’s mix of spiritual lyrics and thoughtful music has influenced bands that span from Thrice to Creed. Somehow the band has managed to avoid the many clichés that ensnare bands with spiritual lyrics, firmly establishing that they are spiritual people but that doesn’t mean they are Christians.

Spirituality is the key to this album as a matter of fact. The band performs all their “hits” and more on Home, with the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra at their side. This combination tends to enhance the spiritual sound the band is known for, adding an even more interesting chapter to the band’s catalog of music. If they have bored you the last few years, Home will bring you…well home.

The band do a great job here of keeping the original songs intact. For the most part, nothing is really re-arranged or awkward. The songs rock when they should rock (“Shine, “”Precious Declaration,” “Counting the Days,” etc.) and contemplate when they should contemplate (“December,” “The World I Know,” etc.). Everything sounds like Collective Soul, it’s just all bigger. The orchestra is absolutely amazing and even more amazing when you consider that these are all amateur youth players. They breathe new life into these songs.

The band really sounds great here. In my opinion this is the first time in years they have sounded anywhere near this good. This is a nice album to add to any rock fans music collection. At two discs and enhanced features that include an EPK, a photo gallery, and a video this is a good bang for your buck as well. If you are gonna listen to Collective Soul, this is the best way to do it.