Incubus "If Not Now, When?"

         I have always been a fan of Incubus and their ever-changing sound and palette that always produces a different experience every time they enter the studio. Their albums are often full of different styles, moods, tempos, influences and are hardly ever boring; they are often worth the wait. The last album was said to be the closest to the sound they had wanted to achieve, and each song was intended to sound like it was from a different band. The opening track would fare pretty well on the radio, just not the radio stations you would expect them to be featured on; not the most popular stations or hard rock stations, but stations that play easy listening or adult alternative. Some say adult contemporary, but the sound is easier to digest for most, yet not mainstream enough to play on the biggest stations; it is not even as hooky as drive. I would have to say that the arrangement would be suitable for someone like Josh Groban; I probably will not ever have a chance to make this comparison, so "If Not Now,When?"  An atmospheric experiment that relies on minimalistic instrumentation, haunting yet ear-pleasing melodies with a slight folk arpeggio that is made for "Friends and Lovers." The first twenty seconds have seemed to steal my heart like a bunch of "Thieves." The song seems to take us to a different continent for a few minutes, and an experience like that you will never forget; "why should thieves have all of the fun?"                                                                                                                   The funky strumming would be grand to wake up to every morning, especially with those gargantuan drums even if I have to worry about the boyd "Isadore" may have left in someone I know. I will not say that I am original by a long shot, but I'm not sure if I like this version of Incubus or "The Original" Incubus. This track seems to have components that would be perfect for easy listening:  the vocals are soft and slow, and the drums are audible but mostly in the background until the end, and it sounds like a more low-key, minimalistic jazz track ( I might be a little loose with the term, but that's what came to me). The sound seems like it might be in "Defiance" with what your preconceived notions of what a song with this title should be like; short, sweet and to the point, just like the song. It may even oppose what your expectations by mentioning a wonderland explorer in chains.  As i sit "In The Company of Wolves" I realize that there are two sides to every story, and the first one is a confession of amazing grace, while the second half is calling itself southern metal. The heaviest track is not only a flashback to their funk-metal roots (which has dulled a bit since the last time we watered that tree), but a catchy, energizing singalong as addictive as it is dangerous; this is a "Switchblade" we're talking about here. The first single of this record is something for the "Adolescents," especially the solo, or the perfunctory psychedelia, or I could just call it what it really is, and call it c***! Cartoon animals! I believe fans may have felt that this one was a little "too mainstream," some may say dull, but they managed to surprise again!