Disciplined Breakdown has to be one of only a handful of records inspired by a songwriter's breakup with his manager, but despite its origins, the album is another smartly assembled arena rock collection from
Collective Soul.
Ed Roland knows how to co-opt contemporary alternative rock trends and refashion them into hard-rocking anthems, as evidenced by the first single, "Precious Declaration." He still has a problem coming up with a consistent set of songs, but
Disciplined Breakdown is nearly as slickly entertaining as
Collective Soul's eponymous second album, and its best moments indicate that
Roland is beginning to develop a distinctive hard rock style of his own. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine