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An incredible live performance by a great band

bixodoido | Utah, USA | 06/09/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It's not very often that I get totally blown away by a music album these days. I don't even like much music these days, and even the stuff I find mildly appealing doesn't make much of an impression on me. Collective Soul, on the other hand, has been one of my favorite "new" (I loosely use that term for anything from the last 15 or so years) bands since their first album, but I haven't followed them much for the last few years. When I saw this album, however, and saw that it was live (I've seen some of the biggest bands in history live, and none of them had ANYTHING on CS in terms of pure energy) I decided to pick it up. The result was one of the best listening experiences I've had in a very long time-I listened to it over and over and over again, and still wasn't satisfied.



First of all, CS is a phenomenal band live. The band packs so much energy and is so talented, and Ed Roland's spectacular voice holds up very well live, unlike some other bands. This 2 disc set also features the Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra, which adds rather than detracts from the performance and at times seems almost a part of the band. This CD is just like their live shows-not much idle chatter, no theatrics, just pure, energetic rock and roll at its finest."

4.5 Stars.... Long overdue live album finally available

Paul Allaer | Cincinnati | 03/03/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I saw Collective Soul live for the first time in 1995 when they opened for Van Halen. There was electricity in the air, that's how much energy they brought. I've seen them many times since then, and they never disappoint live. I've never understood why the band (or their label) never issued a live album. Well that has finally been corrected!



"Home" (2 CDs; 22 tracks; 97 min.) brings the best of 2 homecoming concerts Collective Soul held in April 2005 in Atlanta. The additional "twist" is the Atlanta Youth Symphony Orchestra. Before you wonder whether this is another one of those forced concoctions (remember Metallica with symphony? or KISS with symphony?), strings always have played an important role in Collective Soul's music, in particular its ballads. And the "Home" album bears this out: on the tracks where a symphonic sound comes natural, it really works very well (check out for example "The World I Know", "December", and "Pretty Donna"). THe inclusion of "Youth" is interesting as that track did not make it onto the album of the same name. Ed Roland is in good form (and humor) throughout. By the time the encore "Shine" comes along, I was surprised how quickly it all passed by.



Collective Soul now has plans to release individual shows from the Fall 2005 tour as well. To which I say: bring it on! We have been without a live album too long, from famine we go to feast. (The fact that the band now self-releases its records surely has a hand in that.) All that aside, "Home" is a thoroughly enjoyable live album, and a must for the serious Collective Soul fan."

Way better than I expected

Liza180 | San Francisco, CA United States | 07/12/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have been to quite a few CS concerts and I always leave happy. I was a little hesitant to buy this cd because I couldn't be at the actual concert and I normally am not a fan of live recordings. I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoy this cd and love to play it in my car. For some reason I like the feeling of remembering seeing them in concert. The symphony was a great addition minus a couple songs that didn't really fit. A few of CS songs are made to be played with a symphony like Run, Shine, She Said, Compliment and Home and they delivered well above expectations. If you are a big fan of CS and can visualize them in concert, this cd is a great addition to your collection."