Incubus Make Yourself (2 Lp's)

Incubus: Brandon Boyd, Mike Einziger, Jose Pasillas II, DJ Kilmore, Dirk Lance.
Additional personnel: Dave Holdridge (cello); Cut Chemist. Nu-Mark (scratches).
Take the apocalyptic, electronics-tinged riff-rock of bands like Korn. Subtract the fratboy sensibility and the Red Hot Chili Peppers-derived hip-hop rhythms. Add a sophisticated sense of melody and harmony, a more optimistic lyrical outlook, and a sense of dynamics. You've essentially got the Incubus sound. Incubus practices the kind of rapid intra-song mood shifts that were Nirvana's trademark, but instead of merely going from soft to loud and back, they change stylistically, switching from full-on hard rock to almost jangly, low-key alt-rock. The resultant sound should appeal to fans of both styles. The tasteful application of electronic effects updates the feel of MAKE YOURSELF nicely. There's plenty of teeth-gnashing and shrieking angst to be found in the lyrics, but there's hopefulness and pop-friendly catchiness as well. In the world of late-'90s radio rock, Incubus seems capable of being all things to all people.

• Released: 11/23/2012
• Genre: Pop
• Format: Vinyl