Collective Soul still rockin’

One of the biggest alternative acts of the ’90s is still rocking as this decade nears its end.

On Collective Soul’s eighth studio album, unofficially titled “Rabbit,” the group seems to be picking up right where they left off: writing catchy, memorable hooks and mixing hard rock riffs with pop-tinged melodies.

That formula is continued here, though to mixed results.

The best song on the album, “Staring Down,” serves as the first singleand it fits right up there with some of their previous radio hits. This track will quickly grow on fans of their work because of a memorable hook that can easily get stuck in your head.

The problem with this release is that it’s full of the same standard, run-of-the-mill rock songs.

Despite their catchiness, the album’s songs quickly wear thin.
When Ed Roland and company connect with a melody, it feels like 1995 again. However, on “Rabbit” that occurs less frequently.