Official album cover

Collective Soul is back with a new album that is being sold exclusively through Target and iTunes.

"Afterwords" is the band's seventh studio effort and follow-up to 2005's acclaimed "Youth" album, the first release on their own El Music Group label. Collective Soul will kick off a massive 70+ date U.S. concert tour beginning in June. Shows are scheduled with both the Counting Crows and Live.

"Afterwords" captures Collective Soul at a time when the band is writing from a hard-won, more mature perspective. "As a band, we released five albums and were with a major label for seven years. Traditionally, that had been the ultimate dream and only outlet for an artist and songwriter to present their music," said vocalist and songwriter Ed Roland. "The music business is different now. Our exclusive partnership with Target and their brand is exciting. It's truly a unique and intriguing alternative. This was our choice and we're enjoying being independent. Together as a band and organization, we couldn't be happier with our new relationship."

"Afterwords" was recorded at several different studios, but mixing was mainly completed at "Edible Studios," Roland's home studio in Atlanta. The new single "Hollywood" may strike listeners as the perfect top-down summer song, featuring an infectious melody with tinges of '80s pop. "The theme of 'Afterwords' is love," says Roland. "I always liked writing positive songs. I want to be positive. I want everyone around me to be positive." Other tracks, including "All That I Know," "Good Morning After All," and "Georgia Girl," range from poignant songs of strength and faith, heavy melodic rock to the rollicking three minute pop song. "We're still a guitar oriented band," Roland says, "but we're more confident than ever in the music we're making and the reason we're making it."

Multi-platinum hitmakers Collective Soul formed in 1994 and had 19 singles reach the Billboard charts. "December" was one of seven songs to go to #1 on the Billboard Rock Tracks charts, along with the omnipresent upbeat pop number "Shine," the soaring ballad "The World I Know," "Gel," "Blame," and "Precious Declaration" and the list goes on. Collective Soul is brothers Ed Roland (Vocals/Guitars/Keyboards) and Dean Roland (Guitar), Joel Kosche (Guitar), Will Turpin (Bass/Percussion) and Ryan Hoyle (Drums/Percussion).

Official website: www.collectivesoul.com MySpace: www.myspace.com/collectivesoul

About Target Minneapolis-based Target serves guests at 1,502 stores in 47 states nationwide by delivering today's best retail trends at affordable prices. Target is committed to providing guests with great design through innovative products, in-store experiences and community partnerships. Whether visiting a Target store or shopping online at Target.com, guests enjoy a fun and convenient shopping experience with access to thousands of unique and highly differentiated items. Target (NYSE:TGT) gives more than $3 million a week to its local communities through grants and special programs. Since opening its first store in 1962, Target has partnered with nonprofit organizations, guests and team members to help meet community needs.

You can pick up the album today for just $9.99 at Target retailers nation-wide.

FEATURED MEDIA:

COLLECTIVE SOUL - "Hollywood" VIDEO PLAYER: http://www.imanddmedia.com/CollectiveSoul/index.html

AVAILABLE MEDIA ASSETS:

COLLECTIVE SOUL - "Hollywood": STREAMING AUDIO: http://vista.streamguys.com/jspiewak/collective1.wma

COLLECTIVE SOUL - "All That I Know": STREAMING AUDIO: http://vista.streamguys.com/jspiewak/collective2.wma

COLLECTIVE SOUL: "New Vibration": STREAMING AUDIO: http://vista.streamguys.com/jspiewak/collective3.wma

Enter to win a guitar signed by the band and tickets to their New Years Eve show in Chicago by entering the contest here: www.rockridgemusic.com/collectivesoul