Vibrating

Vibrating does indeed vibrate, thrumming along with its dense layers of fuzz and intertwined riffs, sounds that have been at the core of Collective Souls music since their inception in the mid-90s. During the ensuing decades, theyve occasionally softened and expanded the sound, yet theyve never abandoned it, which may be the reason why Vibrating works as well as it does. The 2022 album isnt so much a return to roots as it is an accentuation of the bands heaviest, hookiest elements, so much so that the record seems to be a hyper-stylized spin on Collective Souls identity: this sounds like the band, only turned to 11. That doesnt quite mean that Vibrating is an excessive or indulgent album; there are no detours, no botched experiments. Rather, its the sound of a band being fully, completely themselves, relying on their song- and studiocraft, resulting in an album thats far more tuneful and vigorous than the groups veteran status would suggest. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine