kritta162002's profile

Collective Soul is Back - In a BIG way!

Collective Soul is back – and in a HUGE way! “Youth”, their latest CD offering after a four-year hiatus, is nothing short of magical, rip roaring fun – mixed with a healthy dosage of emotion and well, let’s face it, one word: Soul. Collective Soul, to be exact. Back in January of 2005, I purchased “Youth”. Around February of 2005, my best friend recommended some current popular favorite songs on the radio she felt I should listen to. “I can’t,” I replied. “I’m listening to this new CD and I just can’t stop…I’ll get to those songs soon.” Fast forward to March 2005. Lather, rinse, repeat…Fast forward to April 2005: The CD, “Youth” is still in the Number One position in my car’s CD player. My friend, Grace, is now a Collective Soul fanatic (along with me) and she has been to two major shows in the last two months, including the huge Atlanta, Georgia show with the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra. She now understands what I’m talking about! There have been five CDs that I own, out of my collection of nearly 300 CDs, that I can say I adore every single song on them. I am proud to announce “Youth” is one of those five. With its popish-upbeat lyrics and upbeat good-for-your-karma infused guitar riffs (provided by the newly-installed Joel Kotsche), let the world be put on official notice: “Let the word out – I’ve got to get out: Oh, I’m feeling better now!” And mind you, this announcement doesn’t come in a sweet, tea party type announcement, but a “wrapped to be seen”, thirty/forty-something, down and dirty romp through many emotions we all recognize. So, stand up and take notice – and that’s not a request! The CD’s first single, “Better Now” lets you know that Ed Roland and the boys are back – and they won’t be sneaking in like guilty school boys: They arrive in full force – kicking it and taking names. No holds barred, no prisoners taken. Stand back and bring it on! As a guitar nerd myself, I can appreciate the AC/DC-esque hard-driving rock. Collective Soul shows once again they are a definitive force to be reckoned with! The highlights of “Youth” include: “Home” – with a killer guitar riff by Joel, and a hard-driving, bass-thumping chorus, and crowd-pleasing sing along part (“Woo hoo!”); The beautiful, yet bittersweet ballad “How Do You Love”, in which Ed Roland is possibly at his vocal best. Mr. Roland commands such presence and attention and grabs you to your core on this one. By the time he’s done, all you can say is “Wow…” in amazement. Flawlessly executed by a true master; “Perfect to Stay”, a catchy, straight pop-oriented favorite (I rank this one as an “I can’t do without it!” selection on this CD.) Ed Roland takes an ordinary situation and turns it into an experience of such depth: “She said ‘Good day, boy. Are you ready to shake?’ I said ‘I love noise and this life that it makes.’” Sweetly written and hooked. Sure to be a pop favorite. “Counting the Days” – a hard rocking, down and dirty “Guess what? We’re back, for all of you who missed it!!” number. “Under Heaven’s Skies”, my favorite sentimental ballad. It’s honest, sweet, and romantic beyond belief. “General Attitude”! I LOVE this song! Lyrically clever, driving rock and roll! The song is what its title says it is, and you really couldn’t ask for more. I do not recommend CDs, nor do I write CD reviews – and I have NEVER been so intensely fanatical about anything in the last 10 years. I cannot recommend “Youth” enough.

Great light load shelf

Already assembled. All you have to do is put on the legs. This is a shelf for light to medium storage weights. Not a lot of weight. I’m pretty impressed. For the money it’s a good buy. Shipped very quickly to my door. Side note - I’m a 5’2 single woman and I could carry it up my stairs to the second floor in my apt with little issue. Additional note- I bought the smaller unit as well - its exterior is NOT in gray, as this one is. I got it to match and while it looks quirky chic which is fine, the small exterior does not match the gray of the larger unit. Smaller unit has a natural birch color which I do like, it just doesn’t match the other. I like both units. I got two of each and stacked them. One will be too low for a tv unit. Get two and just don’t put the legs on one, stack it on the other one you put the legs on. ;)

Great little shelf.

Already assembled. All you have to do is put on the legs. This is a shelf for light to medium storage weights. Not a lot of weight. I’m pretty impressed. For the money it’s a good buy. Shipped very quickly to my door. Side note - I’m a 5’2 single woman and I could carry it up my stairs to the second floor in my apt with little issue. Additional note- I bought the larger unit as well - its exterior is in gray, as this one is not. I got it to match and while it looks quirky chic which is fine, the small exterior does not match the gray of the larger unit. Smaller unit has a natural birch exterior color which I do like, it just doesn’t match the other. I like both units. I got two of each size and stacked them. One will be too low for a tv unit. Get two and just don’t put the legs on one, stack it on the other (bottom) one you put the legs on. ;)