ALBUM REVIEW: Incubus "If Not Now, When?"

Temporary album art
(Photo from metalwarez.com)

Last night, I raped my ears to the whole "If Not Now, When?" album (I know it's not out 'till July but I couldn't stand the itch). Incubus' 7th upcoming record. In the midst of my exploration, a tiny hint of sadness struck me when I came to a realization that Incubus is a reborn band. RIP to the old grunge/hyphy/experimental Incubus.


Well actually it died during Light Grenades but Light Grenades had a little of A Crow Left of the Murder in it. A Crow Left of the Murder had a little Morning View, Morning View had a little Make Yourself, Make Yourself had a little S.C.I.E.N.C.E. and S.C.I.E.N.C.E. had a little Fungus Amongus but If Not Now, When? isolated itself from the rest of the previous six albums. Some of the songs even had a little country feel to it. I guess change is good as long as you know they're the same people behind the magic and the inspiration from the previous records. The love and support is still there. Scratch that, will always and forever be there. Do not get me wrong, I do not completely hate the album, it's just a bit hard to digest.

My current top picks are: "Friends And Lovers", "Thieves", "Switch Blade", "The Original", "In The Company Of Wolves", and "Adolescents" of course. That's 6/11. Not bad. (Oh, and is it just me or "Promises, Promises" sounded like a Tim McGraw hit? Haha. Please excuse me from that death defying question I just asked.)

The songs were not the usual Incubus songs where the moment you first heard it, next thing you know you're constantly craving. But I'm sure these opinions will change through time. No doubt about that.

Steve and the band have actually been giving disclaimers that it's far from their previous records so I knew what to expect especially upon hearing "Adolescents" (which is a lovely song by the way. It had been on loop  for a hundred times now). 


Anything Incubus is appreciated and loved. That's a given fact. Who knows Incubus might jump on another different bandwagon on the next coming albums. I just have this automatic 'adjust' button to any Incubus song. It's just the way it is...no questions asked.

I think some of us are hoping for another 'funkubus' (oops, I think I just coined a new term) record like S.C.I.E.N.C.E. but sorry folks, not gonna happen. Otherwise, it will just be a repetition...and change is better than repeating itself.

Update:
As predicted, my views have changed since I first heard it. I've added "Isadore", "If Not Now, When?", and "Promises, Promises" to my line up of preferred singles. So that's 9/11! Better? Yes! A little more digesting on "Defiance" and "Tomorrow's Food"...kinda hard to chew.
I've also appreciated "Thieves" more. I am madly in love with Mike's guitar arrangement! Now I think I know what the theme of this album is. It's spiritual and native! A perfect soundtrack to an earthly lifestyle. Also, props to Kilmore on the new equip he's been using on this album! I'm not sure if it's still the marxophone, the theremin or neither? Someone correct me.

∞B