| by Sarah Lipman | 12/06/06 | 117 views |
It’s getting harder and harder to stick up for the once innovative Brandon Boyd and the boys of Incubus.
After almost a three year hiatus, Incubus is back with their latest release, “Light Grenades,” taking one step forward towards pop culture and politics but two steps back from their true fans.
The much anticipated “Light Grenades” takes slower, more emotion filled lyrics fitting today’s trend in music, leaving behind their quality DJ-funk-metal sound that used to defy popular music. Boyd has failed to create a balance between marketability and the brilliance that fans once new and loved. In all actuality, “Light Grenades” will never reach the rankings of Incubus classics like “S.C.I.E.N.C.E.,” “Make Yourself” and “Morning View.”
Most importantly, however, is Incubus’ continuing downfall since the departure of bassist Dirk Lance in 2003. With releases like “A Crow Left of the Murder” in 2004 and now “Light Grenades” his absence has proved to be a detriment to the growth of the Incubus and their music.
Ben Kenney is certainly a qualified replacement bassist, working wonders for Hip Hop band, The Roots, but for Incubus, he has just left them struggling for a sound to call their own again.
The main problem keeping “Light Grenades” from being explosively good is the lack of individuality fans used to know and love. Incubus was praised for its experimentation and unique sound as alternative rock became progressively mainstream, hitting radio airwaves all over the country.
Mike Einziger’s guitar and Jose Pasillas’ drum sounds are starting to form to the likes of other California-based rock bands like Red Hot Chili Peppers and The Mars Volta. Boyd’s lyrics and vocals are sub-par as well, all elements which Incubus once had mastered through creativity and experimentation — not just musically.
This isn’t to say “Light Grenades” should be completely frowned upon; however, one can’t help but feel a longing for the psychedelic funkiness that was once Incubus.
The new album, produced by Brendan O’Brien, continues to lean toward a whole new angle — rebellion. It may be something which comes along with maturity, but the political garage band sound isn’t coming along with very well with Incubus’ latest albums.
Similar to single, “Megalomaniac” off of their 2004 album, “A Crow Left of the Murder” the title track, “Light Grenades” has an explosive riot-inducing political message: “Start lobbing the light grenades/ That burst and blind them with the truth/ Eye for an eye/ Tooth for a tooth.” Granted, its powerful but it most certainly isn’t psychedelic.
This isn’t to say Incubus’ new album is a complete failure, as it far exceeds “A Crow Left of the Murder” and does produce a small number of songs which longtime Incubus fans can enjoy, just not as often as albums like “Make Yourself.”
Rather than saying “Light Grenades” is a terrible album, it can be left at extremely disappointing. There are a few gems off the album, most notably, the first single from the album, “Anna Molly” and the second to last track, “Pendulous Threads.” These two are the closest to the Incubus fans know and love providing just small clips of similarities to those tracks in “S.C.I.E.N.C.E.” and “Make Yourself.”
However, something is leaving it empty. Somewhere between the average production, politics and mediocre vocals and lyrics, Incubus forgot to bring in the eccentric beats, turn tables and individuality that they once played with.
So Incubus, take note: go back to your psychedelic roots — wear your dreadlocks tightly, bring back the turn tables and funky beats and really ‘make yourselves’ over.
     
|
University of Delaware
)
