Collective Soul's last album found them caught between a rock and a hard place, literally!

After almost instant success with 1994's "Hints, Allegations and Things Left Unsaid", their shining start as a hard rock band was eclipsed by the "power ballads" that make up the other half of Ed Roland's personality. It appears that in the USA, you are either a rock band or you are not, and those who mix the formula tread dangerous turf.

By album number 3, American radio was confused. What started out as a modern rock act just two years earlier with Shine now had songs like The World I Know on high rotation on Adult Contemporary stations.

Album number three became the difficult third album, with Roland attempting to try and win back some of the early audience while maintaining for more popular "and financially rewarding" pop market. The attempt failed and Roland went away to think things over for almost a year.

Collective Soul have emerged with an album they are proud to call their own. The R&R has been beneficial and for the first time since their debut album we are hearing collection of songs that make up a "Collective Soul" sound.

Roland's vocals sound slightly different as well. It's like he's been taking inflection lessons from Peter Gabriel.

The first track Tremble For My Beloved makes the statement that the bands "Shine" audience is not forgotten.

Heavy is from the other end of the scale - a polished CS production for AC Radio.

Maybe it's the was the songs are sequenced, but the diversity works on "Dosage".

I suspect Ed is cheekily wearing some of his influences on his sleeve on "Dosage". Slow contains a very subtle homage to David Bowie's "Heroes".

The single Run also distances the band from prior releases. The albums ballad is an unusual way for a "rock" band to introduce a new album, especially after a few years but the strings add a new dimension to the band.

Four albums since 1994 is an impressive output. Collective Soul fans will get the right dosage out of "Dosage".