Review Summary: So many genres crammed into one package... And it couldn't have been done any better!
Incubus was a much different beast before they entered the world of alternative rock. They're were many words to describe them at this time, words that you couldn't say about them now. Words that come to mind? Funky, heavy, and most importent of all, energetic. Around this time, Incubus messed around with various genres, such as funk, jazz, hip hop, and techno. This was, in my opinion at least, their most creative album. And dare i say? Their greastest as well.
Right from the start, you'll notice that this album has a lot to offer. The album starts on Redifine, which the beginning is played by a didgeridoo. Then the song builds up in energy, then evenually explodes into mass of guitars, samples, and turntable scratches. Then Brandon's vocals come in at full force, adding to the energy. This energy is carried on throughout, only stopping on Summer Romance (Anti-Gravity Love Song). This is not a bad song by any means. In fact, this song shows the jazz element of the album, and I could not be more impressed. Even the songs with energy dabble into funk in and jazz elements.
All the band members have contributed to this masterpiece as well. Like in Vitamin and Redifine, the intense guitar work is shown. The guitarists don't play just simple riffs either, these riffs are heavy, and give songs like Redefine and Vitamin the energy thats makes them great songs. They aren't the only members who make those songs and the others on the album great however. With Dirk's bass lines on songs like Glass, and Summer Romance, he truely shows that he is one of the most talented members in the band. As for the drummer, he's usually drowned out by the guitars. However, if you actually listen drum beats, they are very unique and fun to listen to. If not really hard to play. Another talented member of the band is the DJ, or turntablist if you will. He provides a lot to the band's sound using his samples and turntable scratches.
Brandon's vocals, for the most part, are really no different than any other Incubus album. Although, he can be a bit crazier with his vocals on this album. A prime example of this is on Calgone, where he comes into song after it builds up and starts to get heavier. At this point you hear him sing a "huh, huh, heh, heh," then comes into the song screaming. His softer, sensual vocals are shown to, on Summer Romance. Where he comes out singing "Im home alone tonight", and "I was thinking of some thoughts that were seemingly possible, with you".
As for the lyrics, they aren't neccasary the most mature at times, but they are well written. The lyrics don't consantrate on just one subject either, with the whole album spanning various subjects. Subjects include aliens in Calgone, using the lines "They put cold things in my butt butt butt" and "They sampled a bit of my DNA". While this sci-fi theme is also used in Nebula, Summer Romance is about something much different, romance. This is easy to see seeing as Brandon used lines like "Im home alone tonight".
There is alot to this album and it was well done. With the various instruments and moods this album displays, this makes for an album thats good to pop in no matter what genre you feel like listening to that day. Simply put, this an album that covers a various amount of genres, and covers it well.
