Dosage

Album Review

After the disappointing sales of Disciplined Breakdown, Collective Soul made a move back to the sound that was so successful on their self-titled sophomore effort. Dosage is a step backward into familiar territory, and it invites mixed results. While the singles "Run" and "Heavy" are two of the band's biggest hits in years, much of this album seems to sound slightly more tired than Collective Soul's recent efforts. Collective Soul has always been best when performing a mix of ballads and harder material, and Dosage holds true to that formula, although the ballads (which are not quite as strong as the ballads on previous albums) rule this album. Kicking off with the upbeat "Tremble for My Beloved" and "Heavy," the album quickly slows down and fails to reignite. Only a few of the ballads (among them the hit "Run" from the film Varsity Blues and the mid-tempo "No More, No Less") manage to leave any lasting impression, and the majority of the up-tempo rockers seem like filler. This doesn't mean that Dosage is a weak effort, though, as there is still more than enough here to please fans. Ed Roland continues to grow as a songwriter, and Dosage is another successful set of radio-friendly pop/rock that, while far from radical, is a worthwhile listen.