Collective Soul-7even Year itch: Greatest Hits, 1994–2001

Why I Like It:

This post has been sitting in draft mode since June 2024 and it's time to stop procrastinating and get to it. It likely is because this is the first time I'm choosing to talk about a greatest hits album and to make a case that Collective Soul is a band that doesn't get enough love or credit in the history books. So here we go, buckle up. 

Greatest hits albums I feel were more popular when we had only physical media and radio for music consumption. Having a way to spend $20 on a CD and get only the hits? Heck ya, sign me up! I think the best greatest hits albums are the ones that have songs you may not recognize right away, when reading the track listing, but once you play that album, you know all the words to each song and say: "I forgot about this song! It's so good!". That is exactly what Collective Soul-7even Year itch provides.

I was first inspired to write this post because of a podcast that claims there are no true fans of Collective Soul, and I am here to claim yes, there is at least one true fan here. I may be the only one on the internet shouting it out, but there it is. Actually, The Throwback Podcast guys shouted it out too technically, as a retrospective love. 

Upon doing research for this greatest hits album I found out a couple interesting facts, first the album was originally released September 2001, ooof that's unfortunate timing that probably didn't help with sales. Secondly, two songs were added just for the album, "Energy" and "Next Homecoming", which I actually had no idea about and assumed they were hits on the radio at some point. They are that good. 

I'm pretty darn sure I inherited Collective Soul-7even Year itch from my dad's collection and it was played constantly in our family car. Now it's the one me and the husband blast on road trips and sing horribly to (yes we have a CD player still). Ok ok, I will add that my dad and husband are true fans too, so we have at least 5 fans of the band now. In all honesty I know there's more fans out there but the point still stands that the band doesn't get the recognition they deserve. Heck, even the Podcast 60 Songs That Explains the 90s doesn't have a Collective Soul feature. 

So here's my final pitch, stream or get the Collective Soul's greatest hits album, and give it another go. Also, consider seeing them live because they are amazing to see and have that spark of passion to this day. I still get goosebumps from watching the live version of "Run".

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Highlighted song and lyrics:

Energy - "In beauty or beast/Who's my character to be"

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Similar bands to check out:

Better Than Ezra, Vertical Horizon, Everclear, Tonic

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Links to check out:

Glidemagazine.com- Album review

Rick Beato 2- Interview with Ed Roland

Rock N' Roll True Stories- Collective Soul: What Happened To the Band Behind 'Shine', 'December' & 'The World I Know?'

Live at Woodstock 99

Foxing-Nearer My God (2018)

Why I Like It:

Back in September I teased about reviewing an album by the band Foxing and it's about darn time I deliver on that promise.  

The album I landed on was Nearer My God, which might be because I've had more time with it, than their latest 2024 work Foxing. Either way I would recommend any of their albums if you want something with an atmosphere that's usually tinged with a sinister darkness. You could say, almost apocalyptic. This is especially true on Nearer My God. 

Start off by looking at the album artwork and you will see what I mean. It's 4 horses that can be interpreted as the four horsemen of the apocalypse. Still not convinced? Ok lets, look at the opening song Grand Paradise, where there's talk of being "shock collared at the gates of heaven" and "Jesus Christ I'm wrecked to bed". Then there's the interviews with band where they reference inspiration coming from a CNN Doomsday Video. Ya I think you get the point now. 

In a few other interviews and discussions I've read about Foxing, there's some talk about comparing their trajectory, and even some atmospheric elements, to Radiohead. With Nearer My God being compared to Ok Computer, in that it was their departure from traditional rock formatting and anything was game. Bagpipes? Yes and it's a must have, no compromises. A 9 minuet song right slab dab in the middle of the album? Of course it's needed to transition the listener to the next half of the album. And you know what, I agree, this is all needed to make Nearer My God what it is, a haunting brilliant piece of music. I don't hear anyone saying Ok Computer is too much (or at least the opinions of music critics that I read). 

A final comparison I wanted to make with Foxing and Radiohead is movie/TV soundtrack media. Radiohead is in so many TV series and movies, because of its perfect way of evoking a certain grandiose emotion, whether it be devastating or triumphant. I think this could be an avenue for Foxing music to go as well, so why the heck has no one jumped on this yet?? Come on people! Fine, I will just pretend in my own head until this becomes a reality.

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Highlighted song and lyrics:

Bastardizer- "Next generation/It's feeling the same/Raising themselves up but can’t forget your name"

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Similar bands to check out:

Smidley, Seahaven, Cymbals Eat Guitars, Balance and Composure

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Links to check out:

Nearer My Pod- In-depth look at the making of Nearer My God

Stereogum.com- Interview with the band

Spectrum Pulse YouTube- Album review

*fun fact you can read something I wrote in the comment section of this video

Live at Granada Theater, Dallas