If Collective Soul's 2004 comeback album Youth was a splashy, glammy guitar-rock record, its EP sequel From the Ground Up — arriving just six months later — is its opposite, a gentle, laid-back set of acoustic tunes. But with the exception of "Youth," which may have one time been intended as the title song for the proper album, there are no new songs here: the remaining seven tunes are relaxed acoustic re-interpretations of songs from their catalog. The stripped-down, laid-back vibe suits the group well, making them sound relaxed and assured, more natural than they do on many of their glistening studio albums. While this is primarily a record for fans — the only big hit to lure in casual listeners is "December" — Collective Soul sounds so loose and warm here, they might manage to win over some doubters, if they ever managed to hear the record. This, combined with the shiny hard-rock of Youth, suggests that Collective Soul is entering its second decade as a more ambitious and interesting band than they were at the height of their popularity in the mid-'90s.
 

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Additional Information

All lyrics written by Ed Roland; published by Sugarfuzz Music (BMI) except "Compliment", written by Ed Roland and Dean Roland, published by Sugarfuzz Music (BMI)/Global Slant Music (ASCAP).

Recorded and mixed by Zack Osdom at Tree Studioes, Atlanta, GA
Assisted by: Kenneth Mount
Mastered at Rodney Mills Masterhouse, Ouluth, GA

Art Direction & Packag Design: Brian Porizek @ IDesign
Band Photos: Lee Clower