Collective Soul’s eighth studio album is a set of 11 tracks, all of which amplify what the band has been doing — and doing well — for 16 years. Yet, there are a few firsts to this compilation. It is the first album for which the band members have co-written a couple of songs — You and Understanding. Ed Roland, who wrote songs in the past, has admitted to letting go of his ego and letting others step into his realm. Another debut being their drummer Cheney Brannon’s, who joined in 2008.

As far as the sound goes, this is a modern rock record that finds a lot of hooky spots across songs. All the right ingredients are there — melodies, well-arranged tracks and a high quality of production —and most of the songs will be playing in your head after listening to them a couple of times. Soon, you also realise that it is nothing different from what the band has already done.

Starting with the strong riffs of Welcome all again, the album moves into the smooth and young vibe of Fuzzy and delves into the power ballad mode with You. Hymn for my father, a simple ballad with just the piano for accompaniment, is the only song that is a tad different in terms of sound, while Staring down comes across as one of the stronger tracks. Lighten up will remind you a lot of their old song Gel, and the guitar playing in Love and My days is fun but regular.

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