Review Summary: While it's unique, it's quite forgettable other than a few tracks. Still, any Incubus fan should pick it up.
Look, I'm all for being unique, but Fungus Amongus is a mediocre attempt from Incubus. It's like one big identity crisis. While I like certain bands that fuse funk and rock like the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Incubus just suffers because they took the funk style a bit too far. It just seems as if every song on this album wants to be a 70s Funk song but suddenly turns into a nu-metal rocker. But you must keep in mind this album was made by a bunch of 16 and 17 year olds. That's an accomplishment right there. The bass work is fantastic in this song as well; because quite simply, that's what funk is all about...the bass. Fungus Amongus has plenty of bass.
This album sure is a trip, though. I've never heard a band that can integrate two totally different sounds and styles like Incubus does. From the opener 'You Will Be A Hot Dancer' to the rocking closer 'Hilikus', Fungus Amongus retains it's funk/metal sound, but stumbles around a bit as it grabs anywhere it can for an identity.
The opener 'You Will Be a Hot Dancer' truly has all the funk sounds of Fungus Amongus with a truly hard, metal chorus. While 'Shaft' resembles 'Stellar', it gets a bit repetitive by the end. 'Trouble in 421' has some truly crazy funky guitar lines that manages to keep a metal feel to it with the chorus. The bass solo in this song is just off the wall and reeks of greatness. The bassist in Fungus Amongus is world-class, let me tell you. While 'Take Me To Your Leader' loses a bit of the funk sound as it feels harder and less like a funk song. 'Medium' features a strange entrance effect that has some nice guitar riffs in it. Boyd's vocals are a bit repetitive in this song as well.
'Speak Free' is a song with lyrical substance that shows how well Incubus can do metal and how good Brandon Boyd is at screaming. While 'Psychopsilocybin' is rather repetitive jamfest, 'Sink Beneath the Line' is a sprawling, funk rocker that feels and sounds like 'Azwethinkweiz', my personal favorite Incubus song. The solo at the end is just spectacular; as this song is easily the pride and joy of Fungus Amongus. But the last song is no passover, as 'Hilikus' is a heavy, drawn-out, funkmetal anthem that can't be passed over because it's funky basslines and heavy guitars are to die for.
So all in all, this album while only having a few unforgettable tracks is still very good for a bunch of teenagers at the time. It's one heck of a unique album, that is a must-have for any Incubus album; it's not nearly up to par with S.C.I.E.N.C.E. or their later work, but it's a good listen if you're into 'the floating torso man and company'.
