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| Artist: Skillet
Label: Lava
List Price: $11.98
Buy New: $7.49
You Save: $4.49 (37%)
New (35) Used (14) Collectible (1) from $6.06
Rating:  74 reviews
Sales Rank: 4064
Format: Enhanced
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
MPN: 93192
UPC: 075679319227
EAN: 0075679319227
ASIN: B00022351C
Release Date: May 25, 2004
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: Expedited shipping available
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Same day shipping. Free upgrade to 1st class mail for all CDs. Professional packaging material. Friendly customer service.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 6-10 of 74
 A bit more adult but still Christian December 18, 2004
Patrick J. Mathewson
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
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.
 Simply Great May 3, 2005
Matt Mabry (Knoxville, Tennessee United States)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful
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.
Skillet Is Out To Conquer the World August 28, 2004
Brandon Hagen (Arlington, Wa)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Probably many Christians will whine that Skillet "sold-out" and went mainstream, and watered down their message as a result. What they don't realize is that the album was put out on a Christian label first, before it was picked up by the secular Lava. Nothing on the album was changed except that a new track was added. Anyone who has ever seen Skillet live and heard their message would know that their not about the money. They wouldn't have stuck in the Christian underground so long if that was the case. I applaud Skillet for stepping out into the world and reaching out to lives other than just Christians. To me it would have been dissapointing if they would have stayed under the safety and comfort zone of just playing to Christians all the time. Switchfoot has recently done the same thing successfully without compromising their message.
The music is spiritual, just because they don't sing the name Jesus on every song doesn't mean the song isn't Christian or spiritual. The lyrics are by no means fluff or watered down, they deal with the struggles we all deal with in life, dark as they may be. Very mature songwriting with depth.
My only complaint is that this album doesn't have as much keyboards, loops, and synth like their previous albums. I just hope on the next album they'll bring back a little more, its part of what made Skillet so addicting and unique. "Collide" is up there with Skillet's best albums, the high bar of standard they attain to hasn't been lowered.
If you want straight up hard rock, get Collide as this is Skillet's hardest album. If you want a little more variety, more melodic hard rock with keyboards, check out "Invincible" which in my opinion is still their best album. Long live Skillet!
Best Christian Rock Back out there. December 18, 2004
InjuinEnzan (New York, NY)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Skillet truly shines with their blessed talent to show their skin-deep thirsting love for Christ. Most people think that they are not a Christian band due to their Album Cover and some songs; but you have to pay attention to the lyrics to understand the message they're trying to bring. The Album Cover, as I understand from my point of view is showing that you are free (angel wings) even though the enemy is pressing hard upon you (snake) Jesus will deliver you.
My Obsession is a hard- deep love for Jesus (You're my only/infatuation/don't leave me straded/in my obsession/my purpose/my possession/live and die in/my obsession.
Imperfection is talking about Christian believers who think that they are not good enough for the love of Jesus. The song is saying it's simply because we as humans are all Imperfection hence, "Imperfection". The song is also about God's love for us no matter what.
Savior is a hard-rock song simply stating that Jesus is telling us that we NEED him, even when everything crashes and breaks.
A Little More explains that even if the world crashes upon us, God's love can take a little more than that simply. God's love is stronger than any attack from the enemy.
In closing, I'd like to say that while the hard-rock may be a turn-off for some Christian-music listeners, rock-fans will love this disc.
Skillet NOT good Christian rock! Just great rock.... June 4, 2005
Wayne A. Hunstad (Waco, TX USA)
5 out of 8 found this review helpful
Aaaaaaarrrrrggghhh!!! I never knew rock music could get saved!!!! Skillet's Collide is Flat out, plain and simply, hands down one of THE better rock albums to come out in the last year or so... can we not base a review on the fact that it's just simply great modern rock music.
For the nimrods that don't "see enough Christ" in the songs and recommend the cheesy youth group friendly Kutless, let me give you all a quick analogy... A painter who HAPPENS to be a Christian may get challenged why they draw landscapes, angry pictures, children, etc. but no churches, crosses, or blatantly "Christian" art.... That painter may very likely respond, "Some people paint the light itself, others simply paint how they see things because of the light"... Skillet writes from the latter perspective, and thank God for that.
Are you a Christian??? Get over the fact that every song isn't about Jesus, etc.
Not a Christian???? Keep an open mind... this album will rock your arse off!!!
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