Album Review: Incubus- "If Not Now, When?"

If my memory serves me correctly, "If Not Now, When?" was used by McMurphy in the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. From the cover of Incubus' album of the same title, one might guess the songs included carry a theme of taking risk or being on a metaphorical edge of some sort. Well, not quite.

After listening to the first four tracks, one immediately realizes this is a more toned-down record. These opening songs don't suck by any means- Brandon Boyd's voice is still entrancing and addictive. But personally, I felt these tracks needed more bite, as none really stood out.

"Isadore" caught my attention at its bridge, and despite the lyrics, I couldn't help but imagine this a play on words ('knows the name is adored,' 'knows the name is a door'). This track leads into "The Original," a soothing, mellow-but-not-somber tribute. "Defiance" is a brief acoustic, and it's here where we start to perk up our auditory senses. "Switchblade" sounds exactly like its title, and will probably be a popular track at live shows, although I'm not crazy about the chorus.

"In the Company of Wolves" is the eighth track on the album, and the best by far. I listened to this entire album initially on headphones, and this song literally gave me chills. It's very Pink Floyd-esque, with a soft opening verse, then an ominous shift into the chorus. Four minutes in, the track gets even more sinister albeit sensual, with some appropriate piano thrown in. It's definitely the heaviest track here in terms of sound, vocal quality and lyrics; the band definitely touched upon new territory with this song.

Overall, Incubus should be given credit for changing it up on this seventh studio album. There were moments of uncertainty, especially in regards to the chosen track sequence, but perhaps the band intended it that way. Even if this is your least favorite Incubus album, listen to track eight on headphones or a stereo an absorb something new.