Incubus – Monuments and Melodies

Releasedate: 12-06-2009; Label: Epic
By: Nina Mende

Incubus is a Grammy-nominated alternative rock band based out of Calabasas, California. Formed by vocalist Brandon Boyd, lead guitarist Mike Einziger, and drummer Jose Pasillas while in high school in 1991, the band grew to include bassist Alex Katunich (a.k.a. “Dirk Lance”), and Gavin Koppell (a.k.a. “DJ Lyfe”), both of whom were eventually replaced by bassist Ben Kenney (formerly of The Roots), and DJ Kilmore, respectively. Incubus is known for its electric sound, balancing experimental and progressive qualities with pop appeal, earning praise for their ability to change and evolve their music with each successive release. The band’s lyrics touch on a number of different subjects, from their earliest works which touch on drugs and anti-conformity to the later albums where lyrics tend to focus politics and romance, although primarily stressed with an optimistic view. Incubus has received both critical acclaim and commercial success, reaching multi-platinum sales, as well as releasing several highly successful singles. The band started branching out creatively and earned mainstream recognition with the release of their 1999 album Make Yourself. In 2001, Incubus became hugely successful with the single “Drive” and their follow up album Morning View. Their latest studio album, Light Grenades, debuted at #1 in 2006 and has received Gold certification in the U.S. Incubus has sold 18 million albums worldwide, and are set to release their first greatest hits album Monuments and Melodies in June 2009, accompanied by a tour of the United States.

So since this is a greatest hits album you probably know most songs. You can’t find the lyrics in the booklet but pictures of each band member as well as the credits and thankyous as well as the play list printed in waves. The album artwork is very creative and different just as we are used to when thinking of Incubus. The soft voice of the singer which can also be harsh and the great capturing melodies suck you into the world of Incubus. You sway along to songs, sing along or just drift off thinking about stuff. The deep and personal lyrics touch your heart and the acoustic versions won’t let go of it. Since it’s a best of and you know songs, some songs might bring back some special memories. To me personally “Drive”, “Megalomaniac”, “Love Hurts” and bring back special memories. “Pardon Me” skips between reggae elements, rap and rock. A quite interesting song. The second half of the second CD is mostly slow and melancholic. Although this is a best of album it is a great one to have.

Tracklist: CD 1 Black heart inertia (Album Version) Drive (Album Version) Megalomaniac (Album Version (Explicit)) Anna Molly (Album Version) Love hurts (Album Version) Wish you were here (Album Version) Warning (Album Version) Stellar (Album Version) Talk shows on mute (Album Version) Pardon me (Album Version) Dig (Album Version) Oil and water (Album Version) Are you in? (Album Version) Nice to know you (Album Version) Midnight swim (Album Version)

CD2 Neither of us can see (Album Version) Look alive (Album Version) While all the vultures feed (Album Version) Pantomime (Album Version) Anything (Album Version) Punch drunk (Album Version) Admiration (Album Version) Martini (Album Version) A certain shade of green (Acoustic Version) Monuments and melodies (Album Version) Let’s go crazy (Album Version)

Links:
Incubus MySpace
Incubus Official