Mid-nineties pop rock revisited

Georgia quintet Collective Soul, spearheaded by brothers Ed and Dean Roland, reached the public consciousness in 1994 with debut album Hints, Allegations and Things Left Unsaid and the hard-rocking, chart-topping single "Shine." \nSeven years and four albums later, the brothers Roland and company have amassed enough material to release 7even Year Itch, a greatest hits album, and the results are primarily good.\nThe album's tracks appear in no certain order, but the selections made, at least for the most part, are quite apt and entertaining.\nInterestingly enough, the album's high points include tracks that are featured on two other releases. "She Said" originally appeared on the "Scream 2" soundtrack and later showed up as a bonus track on Dosage, the band's excellent 1999 release. "Run" was featured prominently on the "Varsity Blues" soundtrack, and was bar none this critic's favorite tune on Dosage. Both songs grapple with relatively sad issues and desperate figures. But skillful power-pop balladry and moving string arrangements easily mask these morose elements. What could have been a dual gloom-fest is elevated into thoughtful and inspiring meditations on the human condition.\nCollective Soul was wise in following the tried and true "greatest hits" formula by including its most popular songs, such as "Gel," "The World I Know," "Listen" and "December." These tracks sound as good today as they did the day of their release and are welcome additions to the album.\nThe boys were also smart in excluding a vast majority of their last album, Blender. Aside from first-class "Why Pt. 2," which is included on 7even Year Itch, the record blew pretty hard. Instead, they opted for stronger tracks such as "Precious Declaration" and "Forgiveness" off their 1997 effort Disciplined Breakdown.\nThe album isn't without its faults and a certain omission should have been made in "Next Homecoming," which doesn't begin to match the caliber of other tunes within the collection. \nDespite a few minor qualms, 7even Year Itch is a solid greatest hits album that should satisfy both seasoned fans of Collective Soul and the uninitiated who are simply looking for a capable rock album.\nRating: 7