Incubus
Light Grenades

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.