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In today’s world of music, few rock bands seem to be able to go on a journey of self-discovery and manage to come out alive.
Then again, few bands can barely stand up to the awesome creative power that is Incubus.
Since the band’s beginning during the members’ high school years, Incubus continues to find its roots in a variety of different music genres among a variety of different fans.
Yet, the band still manages to draw massive crowds and prove it deserves all attention on its quest.
Now with the band’s sixth studio release, Light Grenades, the crowds may be getting even larger.
The first release since A Crow Left of the Murder, Light Grenades provides a powerful set of songs sure to please the diverse fans of the band.
Unlike the band’s last release, though, Light Grenades brings fans back to the edgier and more grunge-like sounding Incubus.
Fans of S.C.I.E.N.C.E. and Make Yourself will rejoice while fans of Morning View will find that the band still holds uniqueness in both its lyrics and riffs.
In fact, the album is so unique that it is really hard to even compare with previous albums.
From the very first track, the listener is drawn into complete ear candy, distinctive from that of all other rock bands.
The first track, “Quicksand” begins with a very soft melody and the familiar voice of singer Brandon Boyd slowly fading in and out.
Guitar can then be heard as “Quicksand” quickly fades into “A Kiss to Send Us Off.”
The massive power of guitarist Mike Einziger turns a seemingly quiet song into a power rock smash.
The combination of Boyd’s creative lyrics and the rest of the band’s heavy melodies set the song apart from all imitations in modern rock.
“Dig” then adds more beautiful melodies with a dash of piano and acoustic guitar.
Sound effects top the song off into something completely indescribable. On songs like “Dig,” Incubus achieves a sound previously unreached.
It’s a euphoric sound sure to please audiences and give the band the worldwide recognition that has finally begun to bear the fruits of the band’s labor.
Even more enjoyable tunes follow “Dig” including the album’s first single, “Anna Molly.”
The track is possibly the closest trace to A Crow Left of the Murder and Make Yourself.
The hard-hitting guitars, endless talents by DJ Kilmore and the genius lyrics of Brandon Boyd give the song the edge that Incubus always seems to generate time after time.
Listeners will not be disappointed by the album’s single.
Even more surprising and entertaining, though, is “Love Hurts.”
With a title and meaning not usually the style of Incubus, “Love Hurts” calms the album’s tone down from the power hits early on the album.
With smooth guitar and the nicely timed effects of DJ Kilmore, the song brings out an Incubus that listeners have yet to see.
Even Mike Einziger includes a very bluesy solo that really shines.
However, listeners must be warned that this album is a roller coaster.
The calm tone set in “Love Hurts” doesn’t last through the album’s title track.
“Light Grenades” is a fast-paced jam similar to many of the tracks found on Incubus’s heavy rock album S.C.I.E.N.C.E.
“Earth to Bella Part 1” and “Oil and Water” almost predictably bring the tone back down to normal levels and continue to give listeners beautiful harmonics.
What follows are numerous other hits bound to make the airwaves in the near future.
Most notably, “Rogues” seems to culminate the loud and the soft sounds of the album all into one track.
The ability of a band to create such a song is beyond belief, but never a challenge for Incubus.
Finally, the album is tied down with “Earth to Bella Part 2.”
What would seem to be a soft acoustic solo by Boyd turns into a massive conclusion of Einziger’s edgy guitar antics and the rest of the band’s ability to blend different styles of music in one song.
However, it’s possible that some fans may be displeased by the ending. The track’s ending sounds as if it were the flaming finale of a Jimi Hendrix concert: wild, chaotic, and abrupt.
One has to ask though, isn’t that the style of Incubus?
It seems that no matter how one looks at it, Light Grenades is a step up from the last Incubus release, A Crow Left of the Murder.
New fans of the band will find amazing harmonics and a sense of passion for music that many bands lack.
Older fans will be pleased that the band continues to keep its edge regardless of the way modern music continues to change.
Light Grenades is a worthy addition to anyone’s music collection and proves that any band with a hunger to survive will survive.
To support their new album, Incubus will be on tour across the country.
For the Colorado show, they will play at the Fillmore Auditorium on Thursday Feb. 8.
