How Did “Hints…” The First CS Album Come About?
With Collective Soul not-so-collective and Ed Roland in a basement studio aiming for a publishing contract, he decided to write a fresh batch of tunes to showcase his songwriting abilities. (The instrumental, “Pretty Donna,” was included among these tunes to show his flair for TV themes or movie soundtracks.) With a drum machine, some help from Shane, Ross, Will on backing vocals and percussion (note the congas on “Heaven’s Already Here”…that’s Will!!), the Atlanta Symphony, and friend Matt Serletic (who would later also produce the 2nd, self-titled CD), Ed formed his songwriter’s demo. Borrowing the title of a poem written by a friend, he came to call this demo, Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid. How Did “Hints…” All Come Together? Looking for some feedback on his songwriter demo Hints, Allegations, and Things Left Unsaid, Ed sent a copy to a local college radio station at Georgia State, Album 88 WRAS. He submitted it under the fictitious band name, “Brothers and Brides.”
