Billy Corgan takes the Smashing Pumpkins in new directions and then wonders why fans desert him. Collective Soul's Ed Roland, on the other hand, need never worry about this, because the man simply will not stray. Dosage is everything Collective Soul fans want some REO Speedwagon, a dash of Phil Collins, even a bit of Poison wrapped in lush production and tasteful orchestration. Roland's hurt heart and weary resignation, couched in catchy guitar and keyboard hooks, allow his compositions to slide down smoothly, and the band's steady platinum sales show that meat-and-potatoes rock can live in the '90s after all.

Sure, "Not the One" gets a bit too precious with synths and vocals that wouldn't be out of place in a Yes song, and the potential hit "Needs" basically takes the band's crossover smash, "December," and adds more strings. Besides that, Roland walks a straight line from the first note right through the obligatory hidden track, serving up strong, heard-'em-before guitar hooks and tough-but-sensitive, sometimes clunky rock-hunk lyrics. "Run" is already all over the airwaves; the rest of the album is sure to follow.