Incubaka...

Many of you who know me know how I feel about the music that is Rock. My love for modern rock/alternative music was greatly decreased in 2001 by the band formerly known as Creed. I blame them, and them alone for my serious distaste for this genre. Around this time, I began seeking greater musical avenues, and I soon discovered the beauty that is Classic Rock, and I began to listen exclusively to that and that alone.
A dear friend of mine, however, has always found it necessary to criticize this love of mine. It's all in good fun, yes, but I must say that I've found it hard to heed her advice, and try to enjoy modern rock. She frequently mentions great bands that I proceed to listen to in iTunes or wherever, and usually, I'm disappointed. I can enjoy it, but I just don't get that same "umph" that I get with most Classic Rock.
One band, in particular, that she has pushed above all others is that of Incubus, so I will proceed to share my thoughts on this band:



Incubus is a band I can get behind. While their music isn't the kind of music I can constantly listen to, or even purchase a lot of, I have tremendous respect for them, and the institution they've managed to create.
Incubus is more than just a rock band, but a progressive rock band (in a very liberal sense of the phrase). They're the kind of band that refuses to be pigeon-holed in any specific genre of rock, and therefore, are always changing their sound. Most people have heard Incubus at one point or another, usually in the form of their biggest hit "Drive", or in other moderate hits like "Stellar" or "Wish You Were Here." What's most sad about this, is that most people haven't heard the REAL Incubus, because those latter songs make up only a small part of the Incubus library of music. They infuse rock and rap on many songs, many times defying standard rhythms to create something that will instantly be thought of as unique. Their lyrics are poetic and insightful, and superbly profound. They don't shy away from writing obscure lines and complicated melodies.
Sometimes they're extremely mellow, musing about love lost; other times, their lyrics pack a powerful political punch, and their message is all too clear. They're constantly trying to re-invent themselves, and therefore will never become stale.
The highlight of the music of Incubus is the lead singer, Brandon Boyd (center in above photo). His flawless vocals punctuate each piece with a melancholy beauty that's extremely rare in the rock genre. He lacks the nasal tones of punk rock, or the rasp growls of most alt rock singers; it's sweet, clear, and extremely beautiful. His range is unbelievable, and it's clear from one listen that his is one of the most talented vocalists working today.
One of my favorite aspects of this band is the inventive percussion. After watching some concert DVD's, I've seen how they handle the bongo portion of the songs, and it's quite cool. Just listen to the intro to "New Skin" off of their S.C.I.E.N.C.E. album, and you'll get a taste of this. I also enjoy the tasteful (take THAT Linkin Park) use of rap and hip-hop to heighten the rock experience. The scratches come at just the right moments, and the random samples are very well placed.
Now, you have to be wondering.... With praise like this, how come I said earlier that they're not a band I could listen to a lot of, or even purchase? Well, it's mostly because I just ain't as young as I used to be, and hard rock sometimes just doesn't do it for me. I find the more stressed out out I get, the softer and more mellow I want my music to be. On various occasions, music like Incubus has hit the spot, but I find that lately, the teenage-like angst that used to drive me towards hard rock just doesn't exist much anymore. But, don't get me wrong...I don't think it requires that certain kind of angst, or any angst at all in order to enjoy Incubus. I think I'm a rare breed, and I think that those who enjoy Incubus listen only because they relish in the aspects of the band I mentioned above. They are one of the most talented bands in music today. Compare, if you must, the garbage that is anything released by Hoobastank, or Creed with any album done by Incubus, and it'll become immediately clear that some rock can't and shouldn't be tolerated.
All in all, Incubus is a band that, according to conventional wisdom, should be a huge hit. From the intoxicating sounds and insightful lyrics, to the incredible vocals by lead Boyd, one would expect Incubus to frequently top the TRL countdown, or even Billboards charts. But, the beauty of it all comes down to the fact that Incubus manages to be known, and yet still unknown. While other bands "sell-out" and whore themselves out to the screaming girls of MTV's fanbase, Incubus remains a relatively unhidden secret. They're worth a listen, if you haven't quite had the chance. They're interesting and engaging, and, at least for me, that makes for a mighty fine rock band.