Search - Skillet :: Collide

Simply Great

Weix Mud | Knoxville, Tennessee United States | 05/03/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"An album like this comes every few years. The album that you can't stop listening to even years down the road. Albums like this to me in the past have all been secular like Rage Against the Machine - Renegades, Foo Fighters - There is Nothing Left to Lose, American Hi-Fi - Selftitled, and Blink 182 - Enema of the State. I had never listened to Christian music even though I am a Christian I just thought you couldn't find any good Christian music. P.O.D. had previously been the only band I had enjoyed that was Christian. I found christian rock being way to soft for me and shouldnt even be considered rock. But I heard Skillet and went to there concert and I was blown away. I haven't stopped listening to them since. I like this tons better then there old stuff. I don't give out many 5 start reviews because I am a pretty tough critic but I simply loved this. They opened my door to other Christian Rock such as Thousand Foot Krutch, Kids in the Way, Pillar, and Demon Hunter."

A bit more adult but still Christian

Patrick J. Mathewson | 12/18/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"It is true that God/Jesus isn't referenced directly in the lyrics. Often God is simply referred to as "You" or otherwise the lyrics are spoken from the viewpoint of God. I admit listening through this album initially left me wondering where the Christian value was in this CD but with subsequent listenings it became more apparent. Also, it is true that the subjects dealt with in the songs are sometimes dark but that does not make them any less relevant in the lives of Christians. For example, at Lifest, Cooper explained that "Open Wounds" was his first "suicide song" as he called it. In short, this song puts the listener into the shoes of someone who has been betrayed by their friends/role-models. Of course this isn't the traditional Christian way of teaching the golden rule but I think it still acheives the results on a very personal level.



"Forsaken" has been referred to by some reviewers as "angry" but I believe anyone who has experienced tragedy can identify with the lyrics. Personally, I respect Skillet for showing a side of Christian life that isn't always pretty. We've all felt this way at one time or another.



"Savior" is one of those songs that could easily be considered mainstream due to it's indirect references but I think many people like myself see how beautiful this track is directly after "Forsaken." "Savior" is clearly God's reply to the upset narrator of "Forsaken." Here God explains that the only thing that lasts in this world is His love. Suffering is inevitable in a broken world but God is the rock of ages. This song is the reason why "Forsaken" fits on the album.



"A Little More" is obviously a song about spreading the love of Jesus in a world that right now is driven by fear and hate. It's simply a beautiful ballad.



"My Obsession" is really the first praise song on this album. If you're finding yourself addicted to bad habits or hung up on material things this song serves as a good reminder that we should be more obsessed with God and his Word.



"Collide" is just an awesome song. Like "A Little More" it hints at fears and uncertainties in today's world of terrorism. Unlike "A Little More" the keywords aren't "love" they are "faith" and "perseverence." It's a great song about holding onto your beliefs in the face of adversity.



"Fingernails" is best explained by Romans 7:7-21. It refers to the struggle with ones sinful nature and realizing that we can never reach perfection on our own accord. The second half of the song deals with not letting that guilt and anxiety separate us from God's grace.



"Imperfection" is a lot like "Fingernails" in that it goes over feelings of inadequacy when realizing our sinfulness. However, "Imperfection" provides more of a clear cut solution to these feelings by presenting prayer and repentance in its lyrics.



"Under My Skin" is the second song of praise on the album. It has some rather gritty lyrics when conveying the need to have God part of us but it's still very effective.



"Energy" is the third song praising God and His almighty power comparing Him to a hurricane.



To me, "Cycle Down" is a dialogue between "God" and a Christian all in one song. Here again the Christian is expressing remorse over sins. Yet, God responds each refrain with an encouraging "I am on a higher ground." and the Christian testifies saying "You are my cure from the cycle down." In other words the repentant acknowledges his/her sins, Jesus assures the Christian that He is perfect, and finally the Christian acknowledges that he/she has been clothed in Jesus' righteousness. This song can be looked at as a prayer of repentance.



Of course, I don't expect everyone to interpret these lyrics the same that I do. I'm simply offering my view of the album to those who may be unable to find any Christian significance in the rather cryptic lyrics. As far as the cover art is concerned I simply figured they were going for an artsy look. The snake wrapped around the angel mannequin is peculiar but it can be regarded in several different ways. The most obvious explanation is that the cover illustrates the prevalent theme throughout the album that sin and redemption are incompatible but never far apart. The second possibility is that the serpent wrapped around the metal mannequin frame reminds me of Numbers 21 in which God sent venemous snakes among the people but commanded Moses to put a bronze snake on a pole so that those who looked at it did not die. In other words, the cover art may be an artsy way of illustrating this symbol of redemption.



In short, this album does rock hard, it doesn't have any direct label for God, and the lyrics aren't two-dimensional. I don't feel this is a bad thing but simply means that children most likely won't get much out of this album.



The reason I didn't give the album 5 stars is because the melody sometimes sounds too derivative of other bands such as Three Doors Down and Disturbed in certain parts. Also, it seems as if Cooper is trying too hard to sound hardcore in some of the songs. Either that or he simply doesn't have the type of voice needed to match a hard rock sound. I'm sure others would disagree with me on this though. In conclusion, I highly highly recommend Collide to mature Christians or even those curious about Christian music."