I've been with Incubus since my cousin left Make Yourself in my computer's disc drive one summer. I enjoy listening to bands evolve and mature, and Incubus has kept me quite satisfied over the years.
Essentially, from a musician's point of view, Incubus' sound has come into maturity without loosing what kept me captivated from my first exposure. Their still experimenting, still bringing the thunder, still making me think and inspiring me to do. But this album has an atmosphere like none other they've created. The compositions aren't necessarily intricate, but they are complete and satisfying.
Looking through the credits while listening, I noticed that they were bringing more to the table as musicians, as well. Instruments of which I'd never even heard were being brought into play, and everyone contributed lyrically. I don't know if it's true, but I felt like everyone put something into the music in ways they've never done before.
I also felt it was put together well. Much like Make Yourself, this album seems to have an overarching theme; it's like a story. The opening track Quicksand and the intermediate Earth to Bella basically define the album lyrically, and Earth to Bella Part 2 offers a perfect closing (I'd like to die to this song). Dig, Oil and Water, and Love Hurts are some of the most mind-blowing songs this band has put together, compositionally. A Kiss to Send Us Off, Rogues, Light Grenades, and Pendulous Threads keep the album rooted in that good, old-fashioned, Incubus-induced chaotic musical rebellion we've all grown to love. Anna Molly offers the same energy as a single as Megalomaniac did for A Crow Left of the Murder. Paper Shoes won my heart with its captivating acoustic progression and nine bar phrase. Diamonds and Coal stands apart from the rest of the songs, in my mind. It's like nothing else the band has put together before.
There's not one song on this album I can say I dislike.
All that said, I don't think this album is for everyone. If you're a fan of "old-skool" Incubus, you'll have to evolve/expand your tastes to fully enjoy the album. The old Incubus is in here, if you know how to listen for it, but there's a lot of new over all that old, and it's a matter of embracing it.
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An album of LOVE :D
I've been with Incubus since my cousin left Make Yourself in my computer's disc drive one summer. I enjoy listening to bands evolve and mature, and Incubus has kept me quite satisfied over the years.
Essentially, from a musician's point of view, Incubus' sound has come into maturity without loosing what kept me captivated from my first exposure. Their still experimenting, still bringing the thunder, still making me think and inspiring me to do. But this album has an atmosphere like none other they've created. The compositions aren't necessarily intricate, but they are complete and satisfying.
Looking through the credits while listening, I noticed that they were bringing more to the table as musicians, as well. Instruments of which I'd never even heard were being brought into play, and everyone contributed lyrically. I don't know if it's true, but I felt like everyone put something into the music in ways they've never done before.
I also felt it was put together well. Much like Make Yourself, this album seems to have an overarching theme; it's like a story. The opening track Quicksand and the intermediate Earth to Bella basically define the album lyrically, and Earth to Bella Part 2 offers a perfect closing (I'd like to die to this song). Dig, Oil and Water, and Love Hurts are some of the most mind-blowing songs this band has put together, compositionally. A Kiss to Send Us Off, Rogues, Light Grenades, and Pendulous Threads keep the album rooted in that good, old-fashioned, Incubus-induced chaotic musical rebellion we've all grown to love. Anna Molly offers the same energy as a single as Megalomaniac did for A Crow Left of the Murder. Paper Shoes won my heart with its captivating acoustic progression and nine bar phrase. Diamonds and Coal stands apart from the rest of the songs, in my mind. It's like nothing else the band has put together before.
There's not one song on this album I can say I dislike.
All that said, I don't think this album is for everyone. If you're a fan of "old-skool" Incubus, you'll have to evolve/expand your tastes to fully enjoy the album. The old Incubus is in here, if you know how to listen for it, but there's a lot of new over all that old, and it's a matter of embracing it.
5/5
~Buck
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[no more words]