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Rating:
The new album from Incubus arrives somewhat under the radar
This American band has always been at the center of many discussions, too quickly categorized into the new-metal scene whereas their path has consistently shifted more towards rock shores. The previous album clearly marked the most significant break between their old and new sound.
Personally, I have always admired this band because they have constantly tried to propose personal sounds and solutions which may sometimes have seemed too commercial, but always within a path of a certain honesty.
With "Light Grenades," perhaps for the first time, we face a much less evident change compared to its predecessors. The direction is very similar to the previous "A Crow Left Of The Murder," but this work is more successful simply because it is more stripped-down both in content and length.
While the previous work seemed the result of too strained an attempt to surprise, which led to a too heavy and often boring outcome, here it reflects a maturity in understanding the band's own flaws and trying to correct them, resulting in something that might have its faults but is above all and most importantly enjoyable.
It opens with "Quicksand", an intro that gives way to "Kiss To Send Us Off", the track that most resembles the Incubus of "Morning View." Then follows a trio of tracks that work best, namely "Dig", "Anna Molly" (first single), and "Love Hurts", the latter a classic romantic song but anything but banal.
The middle section contains the title track and "Earth to Bell (part1)", both fairly insignificant.
The second part mainly features mid-tempos, which neither add to nor detract from everything Incubus has previously produced. A sense of boredom surfaces a couple of times but nothing particularly scandalous. The most interesting track of the latter part is "Paper Shoes", which musically, without offending anyone (and in the proper context), recalls late Radiohead for an electronic base à la Kid A. "Rogues" is another well-executed piece that would not have been out of place on either of the last two works. It closes with "Earth To Bella (part 2)", as needless as part 1.
In short, an album I find entertaining, from a band that does not pretend to change rock but simply continues to make their music. I have never loved Incubus, but I have never been able to do without one of their albums.
Fundamentally, for those who did not like A Crow Left..., I strongly advise staying at a considerable distance; however, if someone has even just appreciated it and maybe listens to it a couple of times a year, Light Grenades might be a pleasant confirmation.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
01 Quicksand (02:14)
Ok now the monster is awake
It won't rest until there's nothing left
Maybe ever and anon
I forget about the pain
Someone bending light comes along
And flowers lean towards the sun
Some people fall in love and touch the sky
Some people fall in love and find Quicksand
I hover somewhere in between...I swear...
I can't make up my mind
02 A Kiss to Send Us Off (04:16)
Meet me here
On November 11th, come alone
Bring your mouth
And selective irreverence
We'll both see stars, just
ONE!
MORE!
Tongue!
Kiss before the sky falls
Out
From
This cloud we're hovering on
To send us off
A kiss to send us off
A kiss to send us off
A kiss to send us off!
Kill your doubt
With the coldest of weapons
Confidence
No more words, OOooooooooo
Just the sound of resplendent
Tongues colliding
ONE!
MORE!
Tongue!
Kiss before the sky falls
Out
From
This cloud we're hovering on
To send us off
A kiss to send us off
A kiss to send us off!
A kiss to send us off
A kiss to send us off
A kiss to send us off!
Here I am, there you are
On a wire connecting our hearts
Theres a string, and it's tied, to a kite
Theres a storm, in the sky
Now the clouds become electric
There you are, here I am
Could I
Have!
A kiss to send us off
A kiss to send us off
A kiss to send us off!
A kiss to send us off
A kiss to send us off
A kiss to send us off!
A kiss to send us off
A kiss to send us off
A kiss to send us off!
A kiss to send us off
A kiss to send us off
A kiss to send us off!
03 Dig (04:17)
We all have a weakness
But some of ours are easy to identify. Look me in the eye,
and ask for forgiveness.
We'll make a pact to never speak that word again.
Yes, you are my friend.
We all have something that digs at us,
at least we dig each other.
So when weakness turns my ego up
I know you'll count on the me from yesterday.
If I turn into another
dig me up from under what is covering
the better part of me.
Sing this song
remind me that we'll always have each other
when everything else is gone.
We all have a sickness
that cleverly attaches and multiplies
No matter how we try.
We all have someone that digs at us,
at least we dig each other.
So when sickness turns my ego up
I know you'll act as a clever medicine.
If I turn into another,
dig me up from under what is covering
The better part of me.
Sing this song!
Remind me that we'll always have each other
when everything else is gone.
Oh, each other when everything else is gone.
Oh! If I turn into another,
Dig me up from under what is covering
the better part of me,
Sing this song!
remind me that we'll always have each other,
When everything else is gone
Oh! Each Other, When everything else is gone.
Oh, Each other...,When everything else is gone.
04 Anna Molly (03:46)
A cloud hangs over this city by the sea.
I watch the ships pass and wonder if she might be
out there and sober as well from loneliness.
Please do persist, girl it's time we met and made a mess.
I picture your face at the back of my eyes.
A fire in the attic, proof of the prize!
Anna-Molly, Anna-Molly, Anna-Molly.
A cloud hangs over and mutes my happiness.
A thousand ships couldn't sail me back from distress.
Wish you were here I'm a wounded satellite.
I need you now, put me back together, make me right.
I picture your face at the back of my eyes.
A fire in the attic, proof of the prize!
Anna-Molly, Anna-Molly, Anna-Molly.
I call your name up into the air.
Not one of the others could ever compare!
Anna-Molly, Anna-Molly!
Wait... there is a light... there is a fire
illuminated attic.
Fate? Or something better? I could care less,
just stay with me a while.
Wait... there is a light... there is a fire
defragmenting the attic.
Fate? Or something better? I could care less,
just stay with me a while.
I picture your face at the back of my eyes.
A fire in the attic, proof of the prize!
Anna-Molly, Anna-Molly, Anna-Molly.
I'm calling your name up into the air.
Not one of the others could ever compare!
Anna-Molly, Anna-Molly!
06 Light Grenades (02:20)
We're given a garden
and gave back a parking lot
we got about fifteen minutes to go
before this audience
starts throwing tomatoes, yeah!
it's not the end, there is more show!
we got about fifteen minutes to go!
survived the plague, floated the flood
just peeked our heads above the mud
no one's immune, deafening bells
my God, will we survive ourselves?
I'm not an alarmist
but someone should break the glass
and pull that red, T-lever down!
to get their attention
start lobbing the light grenades
that burst and blind them with the truth
an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth!
survived the plague, floated the flood,
just peeked our heads above the mud
no one's immune, deafening bells,
my God, will we survive ourselves?!
survived the plague, floated the flood
just peeked our heads above the mud
wipe off your face, we've come this far
come on, remember who you are
survived the plague, floated the flood,
just peeked our heads above the mud
no one's immune, deafening bells, my God-d-d-d
survived the plague, floated the flood
just peeked out heads above the mud
wipe off your face, we've come this far
come on, remember who you are
come on, remember who you are
come on! remember who you are!
(remember! remember!)
come on! remember who you are!
(remember! remember!)
come on, remember who you
are!!!!!!
Granadas de Luz ** (Ir Arriba)
Nos dieron un jardín
Y devolvimos un estacionamiento
Nos quedan como quince minutos
Antes de que ésta audiencia
Empiece a tirar tomates, yeah!
No es el final, hay más show!
Nos quedan como quince minutos!)
Sobrevivimos a la plaga, flotamos la inundación
Sólo mirá nuestras cabezas sobre el barro.
Ninguno es inmune, campanas ensordecedoras
Dios mío, sobreviviremos?!
No soy un alarmista
Pero alguien debería romper el vidrio
Y bajar esa palanca roja!
Para tener su atención
Empezar a lanzar las granadas de luz
Esas que estallan y los ciegan con la verdad
Ojo por ojo, diente por diente!
Sobrevivimos a la plaga, flotamos la inundación,
Sólo mirá nuestras cabezas sobre el barro.
Ninguno es inmune, campanas ensordecedoras
Dios mío, sobreviviremos?!
Sobrevivimos a la plaga, flotamos la inundación
Sólo mirá nuestras cabezas sobre el barro.
Sácate la cara, llegamos así de lejos
Vamos, acordate quien sos
Vamos, acordate quien sos! (Acordate! Acordate!)
Vamos! acordate quien sos! (Acordate! Acordate!)
Vamos, acordate quien sos! (Acordate! Acordate!)
Vamos, acordate quien sos!!!!!.
08 Oil and Water (03:49)
You and I are like oil and water
and we’ve been trying, trying, trying
ohhhhh, to mix it up.
We’ve been dancing on a volcano
and we’ve been crying, crying, crying
over blackened soles.
Babe, this wouldn’t be the first time.
It will not be the last time.
There is no parasol that could shelter this weather.
I been smiling with anchors on my shoulders
But I’ve been dying, dying, dying
ohhh, ohhh, oh to let them go.
Babe, this wouldn’t be the first time.
It will not be the last time.
There is no parasol that could shelter this weather.
Babe, this wouldn’t be the first time.
It will not be the last time.
We were trying to believe everything would get better.
We been lying to each other
Hey! Babe! Let’s just call it, call it, call it
Ohhhhhhhhhhh, what it is!
Oil and water! (wouldn't be the first time)
Oil and water! (will not be the last time)
Oil and water! (wouldn't be the first time)
Ohhhhhhhhhhh...
09 Diamonds and Coal (03:46)
If it’s good to complicate then both of us are doing fine.
Just keep your eyes on your part & leave me alone to mine.
If it’s good to instigate then we’re a fast horse, bet on us.
I’m not calling you an animal I think we just fight too much.
Come on, in spite of this we’re doing just fine
Even diamonds start as coal.
Give us time to shine
Even diamonds start as coal.
We’re both aligned in framed of mind but circumstance has got us good.
And now you’re seeing a side of me I wished no one ever would.
Yeah, if it’s right to pick a fight, we’re fingers in a sugar bowl.
Love isn’t perfect, even diamonds start out as coal.
Hello, in spite of this we’re doing just fine even diamonds start as coal.
Give us time to shine
Even diamonds start as coal.
Even diamonds start as coal.
We’re incomplete & infantine
Even diamonds start as coal.
Give it time girl, the fire feels divine.
The sweetest things they burn before they shine.
We think way too much
Look at us losing touch!
A promise is a promise until…
Yeah, in spite of this we’re doing just fine even diamonds start as coal.
Give us time to shine
Even diamonds starts as coal.
Even diamonds start as coal.
We’re incomplete & infantine
Even diamonds start as coal.
10 Rogues (03:56)
I’m keeping an eye on the future,
An eye on the past and the present in my pocket
Just in case I need a door…
Into a brave new world, where all solutions
End up with my head, buried to my neck in sand.
Enough, enough bowing down to disillusion!
Hats off and applause to rogues and evolution!
The ripple effect is too good not to mention.
If you’re not affected, you’re not paying attention!
It’s too good, too good, not to have an effect.
I’m keeping an eye on the pulse
An ear to the track and penance in a locket
I’m dropping from the highest floor.
When it hits ground I watch it smash to pieces.
Songs of liberation echo from the dust. The dust.
Enough bowing down to disillusion!
Hats off and applause to rogues and evolution!
The ripple effect is too good not to mention.
If you’re not affected, you’re not paying attention!
It’s too good, too good, not to have an effect!
Enough, enough, enough, enough, enough!
Enough bowing down to disillusion!
Hats off and applause to rogues and evolution!
The ripple effect is too good not to mention.
If you’re not affected, you’re not paying attention!
It’s too good, too good, too good…
yes.
11 Paper Shoes (04:17)
I fly/I soar/this I adore. & then like a locomotive
the sound of your sorrow comes. I’m tired of the way it feels
I only apologized to you to make you feel better
But I think I’ve outgrown that horsehair sweater.
I’d rather be alone
you’re ‘bout as reliable as paper shoes in bad weathers,
but pain will roll off like water on feather.
You’d fly/you’d soar. But then like a locomotive
the sound of your sorrow comes. I’m tired of the way it feels
I only apologized to you to make you feel better but I think I’ve outgrown that horsehair sweater.
I’d rather be on my own
you’re ‘bout as reliable as paper shoes in bad weathers,
but pain will roll off like water on feathers. I’m tired of the way it feels
I only apologized to you to make you feel better
but I think I’ve outgrown that horsehair sweater.
I’d rather be alone
You’re ‘bout as reliable as paper shoes in bad weathers
but pain will roll off like water on feathers.
12 Pendulous Threads (05:35)
Mend this careless thread, it’s gone askew.
(Thread on my sweater is pendulous, step back & pull it.
Watch it unravel faster than a speeding bullet.)
Or pull & see how much we can undo.
(Thread on my sweater is pendulous, step back & pull it.
Watch it unravel faster than a speeding bullet.)
On a burning bridge, your options are minimal at best.
Depending on where you’re standing
& how much breath is in your chest.
If it came down to it
would you high-tail home & hide? Or dance on fire & enjoy the ride?
Mend this careless thread, it’s gone askew.
(Thread on my sweater is pendulous, step back & pull it.
Watch it unravel faster than a speeding bullet!)
Or pull & see how much we can undo.
(Thread on my sweater is pendulous, step back & pull it.
Watch it unravel faster than a speeding bullet!)
At the heart of it all. That innermost, your fiery core
there’s an amassing armor & it’s building you into a bore. Life’s a match in a gas tank
don’t ever mourn the ebbing tide, just dance on fire & enjoy the ride!
Hey! Mend this careless thread, it’s gone askew.
(Thread on my sweater is pendulous, step back & pull it.
Watch it unravel faster than a speeding bullet!)
Or pull & see how much we can undo.
(Thread on my sweater is pendulous, step back & pull it.
Watch it unravel faster than a speeding bullet!)
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Other reviews
By Kk3
In the first track "Quicksand" the group makes us hear Radiohead influences never heard before, the result is terrible.
This Incubus album is certainly the worst CD from the Californian quintet, but still, at times, it delights us with songs like "A Kiss To Send Us Off", "Rogues" or "Anna Molly".
By GrantNicholas
The sincere and heartfelt (as well as shameless) homage to Radiohead in the opener "Quicksand" is pleasantly disorienting.
"Light Grenades" is ultimately a more than good album, to be rediscovered while waiting for the new studio work from the American band expected by 2010.
