GENRE: Rock

WILL KIDS WANT TO OWN IT?
If your child was interested in listening to Collective Soul's first album, they will be excited to hear more from them in this release. There are four hit songs off this album, one of which is on the soundtrack to The Jerky Boys movie. The band has appeared heavily on MTV and has done extensive touring, including a stint as the opening act for Van Halen.

HOW WE RATE THE CONTENT:
Minor

OUR TAKE: 8 out of 10
This self-titled release is the second album put out by Collective Soul. Their first, Hints, Allegations, And Things Left Unsaid, was more or less a demo tape that contained the smash hit, "Shine," and thrust this quintet from Georgia into the musical spotlight. Their follow-up album is the first in which all band members were part of the recording process and it shows in a much more polished approach. There are four songs, "December," "The World I Know," "She Gathers Rain," and "Gel," which have contributed to the success of this CD. Most of the songs are about the universal theme of celebrating the good things in life and letting the bad ones pass by. They contain heavy rhythmic guitar work interlaced with hard-edged lyrics. We give this release an 8 out of 10.

OUR WORD TO PARENTS:
Content-wise, this release does not contain anything that would offend most listeners. There is no profanity or references to violence or sexual content. However, there is one song, "The World I Know," that contains overtones related to suicide. Two other songs make minor mention of words related to alcohol.

ALCOHOL OR DRUG USE
There are two minor references related to alcohol found in two songs on this release. In the song "The World I Know," a generic use of the word "drink" is mentioned in the first stanza, but it could be associated with consuming alcohol. The lyrics state: "Has our conscience shown? / Has the sweet breeze blown? / Has all kindness gone? / Hope lingers on / I drink myself of newfound pity / Sitting alone in New York City / And I don't know why." In "Reunion," there are the lines: "Now my water's turned to wine / And these thoughts I have / I now claim as mine / I'm coming home." There is no mention of consuming the wine.

COVER ART
There are written lyrics to all of the songs found in the liner notes. There is a corrugated picture of the band and artwork found in the liner notes.

DISRESPECTFUL/BAD ATTITUDE
None.

GUNS/WEAPONS
At the beginning of the song "Bleed," there is a reference to a fire arm, but there is no use of it during the song. The lyrics state: "I think her gun's unloaded now / I guess tomorrow will be after all? / Who made me judge and jury here? / It seems I'm bearing witness to her fall."

IMITATIVE BEHAVIOR
In summary, two songs could suggest an imitative response. The first song contains heavy overtones related to suicide. Although it is not directly expressed, there is enough concern to mention it in this category. In "The World That I Know," the lyrics state: "So I walk up on high / And step to the edge / To see my world below / And I laugh at myself / As the tears roll down / 'Cause it's the world I know / It's the world I know." The video for this song seems to address the same issue of suicide. The troubled man depicted in the video does not jump from the top of the building and begins to see the good in life that the song is expressing. Those above lines are mentioned twice in the song. The other song, "Smashing Young Man," has the word "bitching" to describe someone who is complaining. The lyrics state: "Success is so tragic / Pain is your gadget / Your tongue's just lashing / Just bitching by habit / Hey I hope your feeling / A little purer now / Hey I hope your feeling / Securer now."

MUSIC (SCARY/TENSE)
None.

PROFANITY
None.

SEXUAL CONTENT
None.

TOPICS TO TALK ABOUT
Suicide.

VIOLENCE
None.