I’m not sure where or how Incubus popped in my head the other day. It was definitely out of nowhere and then suddenly I wound up with their song “Sick Sad Little World” playing in my head on repeat. I’ve always enjoyed this song. In fact I’d dare say it’s one of the best songs in the Incubus catalog. So, as it always tends to happen, I went down the rabbit hole of Incubus and remembered their captivating performance at Red Rocks in Colorado that happened during the A Crow Left Of The Murder tour cycle. This version of “Sick Sad Little World” is otherworldly and epic! The song is already epic by nature but with the extended version and added live goodies, it just makes the song so much better! Here’s to hoping Incubus can at least get back to this level on their upcoming new album!
Incubus- Sick Sad Little World (Live At Red Rocks / 2004):
This is a new topic and one that I think will be quite fun to delve into. These are all what if scenarios so, maybe by me writing about them, it will get out into the world and come to fruition.
So, recently Thrice put out a revisited version of their break through and classic album, The Artist In The Ambulance. On this release, the band took the songs from way back when and re-recorded them. The end result from their experiment is actually quite good and I recommend you checking out the revisited version of the album.
I truly think that having Incubus go back to S.C.I.E.N.C.E and do what Thrice did would be quite a trip. Obviously, Incubus is far from the band on that album but, seeing that they’ve all grown as people and musicians, this one would be pretty interesting to hear. One of the things that would make this experiment be fun is that it might actually reinvigorate the band into getting truly back to their roots. Let’s be honest, the last few Incubus albums have been less than stellar. I have a few more ideas on this idea to go over. Along with getting back to their roots, this could be a way to open the door for Dirk Lance (Alex Katunich) to come back to the band. No disrespect to Ben Kenney but, Dirk’s bass playing, style and writing was part of what made Incubus who they were. Another thing that would make this fun would be the chance to hear these songs live again. The last time I saw Incubus in 2015, they did play “Vitamin” so that was cool but, I’d love to hear more. In a recent interview, Brandon has said “It’s the one that I would assume most people would say is my least favorite. It’s the one I listen to the least. When I hear ‘S.C.I.E.N.C.E.‘ I laugh as much as I cringe, there are some pretty sophisticated things on there for such young kids, but I still feel my palms sweat when I listen to it.
I like the willingness to be clowns at certain moments, but also to dig ferociously for something: in hindsight, we had yet to find what we were looking for, which is why we’re still a band. Also, a lot of why I don’t like the album is my performance, I had yet to learn how to sing, I honestly didn’t know what the fuck I was doing, I just liked doing it. I’d give it a five and a half out of 10, or a 6.”
So with that quote from Brandon in mind, why not go back and revisit S.C.I.E.N.C.E. and take all you’ve learned over the years and revisit the album that got the band going!
Back in 2002, Incubus released a DVD called The Morning View Sessions. This was a concert they did in New York on the day of the release of their Morning View album. At this show, they performed a slew of songs, one of which has always stood out to me. “The Warmth” off their album Make Yourself (which turns 20 this year, and it’s also my favorite song off that album), is that song. This version is quite exquisite and takes the song to a whole other level.
Incubus have released “Nimble Bastard,” the first single from their upcoming album “EIGHT.” While it’s not a return to the roots of SCIENCE or even Make Yourself, it’s a very energetic song that would fit in really well with A Crow Left Of The Murder or Light Grenades. Check it out below.
I’ve been on a huge Incubus kick as of late. They are also preparing to release a new album shortly. Hopefully it’s a return to form. While in my Incubus mode, I came up with my “Ultimate Set List” for them.
As usual here are the rules:
Rule 1: What line up of the band would it be
Rule 2: Where would you want to see the show
Rule 3: maximum 25 songs
Lineup: Brandon Boyd, Mike Einzinger, Jose Pasillas, Alex Katunich (aka Dirk Lance), DJ Kilmore
Venue: Roxy Theater
Set List:
01) Redefine
02) When It Comes
03) Anna Molly
04) Circles
05) Adolescents
06) The Warmth
07) A Crow Left Of The Murder
08) Under My Umbrella
09) A Kiss To Send Us Off
10) Privilege
11) In The Company Of Wolves
12) Sick Sad Little World
13) Nowhere Fast
14) New Skin
15) Pantomime
16) Megalomaniac
17) Make Yourself
18) Dig
19) Pardon Me
Encore:
20) Nice To Know You
21) Glass
22) Vitamin
23) A Certain Shade Of Green
24) Take Me To Your Leader
Fungus Amongus= 1
SCIENCE= 5
Make Yourself= 6
Morning View= 3
A Crow Left Of The Murder= 4
Light Grenades= 3
If Not Now When= 2
The late 90’s and early 2000’s brought out many albums that have now become greatly underrated. One such album is Incubus’s Make Yourself. As the follow up to their very funk/metal almost Faith No More/Mr. Bungleesque album SCIENCE, Make Yourself took the band to new heights. Make Yourself added a more melodic groove approach to the songwriting. I personally remember when the album came out when I was a sophomore in high school. At first I was taken aback by their more accessible approach but I really grew to love the album with the exception of the song “Drive.” When “Pardon Me” was released as a single first, I remember going home and learned how to play it on my guitar. There are so many great songs on the album especially “The Warmth.” Even the videos that were released for the singles were captivating. The musicianship on this album is greatly underrated as well. Vocally Brandon Boyd really stepped up his game to a whole new level. Mike Einzinger seemed to have channeled a lot of influences top create a very unique guitar tone. Dirk Lance (Alex Katunich) at this time became the best bass player in mainstream music for his creativity and tones. Jose Pasillas’ drum performance still had his energy but also added a more solid in the pocket sense of playing to his repertoire. All in all Make Yourself, as a whole, is a true mainstream rock album. It has great singles, it branches off into new territory, but it also gave new life into a new journey for an extremely underrated talented band.
AUDIOECLECTICA 