Review Summary: Overall, Incubus has made an album that combines alot of elements from A Crow Left of the Murder and Morning view. The major faults of this album are the song lenghts and the track order but overall its a solid work, nothing grand, but a good one none the
It hasn't exactly been awhile since the last we heard from Incubus, the last release being early 2004 and then 3 new songs on the STEALTH film soundtrack, but the more we hear the better. Over the last 12 years since the release of the Fungus Amongus CD, Incubus' overall sound has evolved drastically from each CD to funk (Fungus) to rap- metal (S.C.I.E.N.C.E.) to nu-metal (Make Yourself) to mellow rock (Morning View) to a more difficult sound to classify that is A Crow Left of the Murder. Now in late 2006 we see them forming and molding into perhaps their own sound, keeping many aspects of the hard rock of early days but adding a much more soft feel that seems to combine Morning View and A Crow. The new sound works pretty well and, while probably not entirely pleasing to the hard core fans of old, will surely please the others.
1. Quicksand-2:13 The beginning track is an extremely cool intro that sounds a lot like progressive ambience, combining guitar and DJ effects. If this song was longer it would probably be coolest and most original song they have done, but at just over two minutes it doesn’t really feel like its own song, just an intro to track 2. 4/5
2. A Kiss to Send Us Off - 4:16 The second song picks up from Quicksand in a spacey atmosphere that forms into a guitar riff then into a heavy intro and back into a quieter verse. The verse sounds pretty good but it jumps into a rather standard distorted chorus and so on. The ending chant of ‘A Kiss to Send Us Off’ sounds far off from what Incubus would usually do and seems slightly out of place. 3/5
3. Dig- 4:17 As with most CDs, the softer track three is a definite standout. While the lyrics may be slightly corny at times, this is some of the better song writing on the album. The soft guitar and vocals from the verse turn into a slightly louder yet still mellow chorus. The bass work here is pretty strong and the drums form a steady beat that keeps the pace well. The guitar solo near the middle is very well placed. Overall this is one of the better songs on the album and could be a good choice for the next single. 5/5
4. Anna Molly- 3:46 The upbeat first single off the album is defiantly another highlight. The vibrant guitar intro forms into a verse that has DJ Kilmore experimenting with a stringed instrument similar to a piano and then launches into heavier head bangin’ guitar riff. Just about every aspect of this song screams single because it is not only catchy but well written, each instrument playing an equal role. The funny play on words that Boyd uses refers to a girl being the ultimate anomaly. Perhaps the only problem with this song is the rather abrupt bridge that seems out of place but still works in the end. Definitely a welcome song to an Incubus mix CD. 5/5
5. Love Hurts- 3:57 Another soft song that is fairly similar to Dig yet still holds its own as one of the best songs on the album. Again sometimes the lyrics can be a little cheesy but the rhymes easily make up for it, for they are clever and well fitting. This time the verse and chorus are more equal in dynamics and it is left to the sweet guitar solo in the middle to break up the mix as well as the bridge. Mike Einziger still seems to have some of the coolest riffs in the business as the transition lick from the bridge to another chorus is awesome. Unfortunately, they put three of the best songs on the album right in a row, leaving a bit to be desired near the middle and end of the CD. 5/5
6. Light Grenades-2:20 Sure this song is a good break from the softer Love Hurts but the way the vocals and drums work in this song form a cacophony that is quite frankly annoying. Plus the song is only 2 minutes long and can’t really stand on its own as a good song. 1/5
7. Earth to Bella (Part 1)- 2:28 Yet another soft song but it transforms into a hard, distorted, effect ridden riff that is also irritating and it doesn’t fit at all. Having these two rather bad tracks in a row was a poor choice as it breaks up the flow of the album. 1/5
8. Oil and Water-3:50 Track 8 finally sees us turning to some real songs once more. It begins with a neat guitar riff and, while still a somewhat soft tune, this track seems a bit more driven than the other softer songs that have preceded it. The song slowly builds into a louder undistorted climax that fits well and is much appreciated compared to the last 2 tracks. 4/5
9. Diamonds and Coal-3:47 This song beings with a rather funky and driving bass line that is a good change of mood and a bit separate from what they have done in the past. Kilmore stays more on top of the effects than usual and the vibe stays upbeat throughout the song and stays consistent to the rather abrupt ending. Probably the best part of the song is the guitar and DJ effects in the interlude. This song and its predecessor share cool names that serve well back to back. 4/5
10. Rogues-3:56 The quiet guitars of the intro go into an explosive head bobbing post intro which again launches into more upbeat verse. The transition from intro to verse is indeed a most pleasing aspect of the song and the vocals and chorus are rather pleasing as well as they deal with interesting subject matter. Another solid guitar solo in this song though the bass is rather lacking and the end is again abrupt. This song would have served well as a bridge between tracks 6 and 7. 4/5
11. Paper Shoes-4:17 Back to another softer song but the arrangements of the dynamics is rather interesting. The most interesting part is the middle where the noise dies completely only to return again. Again the bass work could be a bit more creative and the guitar is not very impressive but the effects and the dynamic arrangements are interesting enough. 3.5/5
12. Pendulous Threads-5:35 Finally a more lengthy and odd song that breaks up the mix. The song begins with a rather annoying guitar part and builds with drums and effects into to a sweet vocal and guitar melody that is one of the best on the album. Again it launches into creative guitar work backed by once again solid bass work from Ben Kenny. The structure of this song is rather strange but it works to the songs advantage. The bridge here is especially strange, using some ambient sounding guitar work that sounds quite similar to a Mars Volta style riff. The song ends with a fade out which is not something Incubus usually does but it works well. 4.5/5
13. Earth to Bella (Part 2)-2:56 This second part shares much in common with the first but it leaves out the annoying distortion. Instead it spirals out from soft to effect layered guitar and ambience into a rather annoying ending that wouldn’t be out of place in a concept album but this indeed is not one of those, yet it might work well if you have the whole album on loop and it goes back to Quicksand. 2/5
