To: Dave
Love: Adam
Date Sent: 12/3/2018
Incubus – Light Grenades
Release Date: November 28th, 2006
This album, released in November 2006 & therefore making it a 12 year old project, was inspired by an IG post from Incubus stating that at this time next year, Light Grenades would be a teenager. That was something crazy to read and I realized that I’ve actually never given this album a listen straight through. Of course, I know nearly every song from listening out of order over time, but I have never had the urge to choose this album over the other titles in their discography. However, I’ve now listened multiple times in the past week and I have discovered some new favorites (SEE: Pendulous Threads), while also finding hidden gems in other songs (SEE: Last minute-ish of Diamonds & Coal).
In addition to the greatness of songs like Dig, Paper Shoes and Earth to Bella, some of the less popular tracks render this album an absolute treasure. While showcasing their music and Brandon Boyd’s voice in almost every song, they tell a unique story that I am still currently unpacking. For starters, I am a huge fan of the quick intro on Quicksand, whether it’s alluding to my current state with the breakup or if it’s just that it sounds like the beginning of In the Company of Wolves or a My Morning Jacket song. It leads perfectly into A Kiss to Send Us Off, which I think I used to hate prior to seeing them live and now I am fully torqued listening to it at my desk. I will save my piece on Dig, as I believe this song has taken on new meaning since the show we saw in Charlotte and I will quickly highlight some other points:
- Love Hurts seems like the 1 song that does not fit in, as it is basically the equivalent of Here in my Room on A Crow Left of the Murder.
- Can still sometimes think Diamonds and Coal is Oil and Water and vice versa.
- Rogues is still under review.
- (a) Paper Shoes is the FIRST song on my bar playlist, which I started with my first bartending shift at Hibernian, where I asked you and Xtina for any song suggestions for said playlist. You responded with Paper Shoes and 8 others.
(b) Other 8 songs: Echo, The Warmth, Round and Round, Losing My Religion, The World I Know, Harder Than Stone, Comfortably Numb & Have A Cigar.
Now, let’s talk about my new favorite Incubus song, which is Pendulous Threads. How the fuck have you never showed me this song before? I feel like this comes close to matching Sick Sad Little World as far as music and message go, whereas Light Grenades comes close to matching the sound coming from the man cave in I Love You Man. If this song doesn’t get you going while also keeping you thinking, then you can GTFO. Seriously. I have not been able to wait patiently for the rest of this album to play through, so that I can get back to this song. I don’t know if it’s just a current dig or if I’m onto some new #IncubusMagic, but play this song LOUD during your next workout and please allow me to say it still does not beat Sick Sad Little World.
Dave’s Reaction:
You are correct. This album would not usually be chosen over Make Yourself or Morning View. Absolutely fucking not. Probably not even over SCIENCE. I would take this album over A Crow Left of the Murder though. I am glad that you finally gave it a listen straight through. I have listened to it 3 times since you have sent it. And I was nodding to myself after each song, like “This is a fucking good album.” I mean Dig alone. The vocal range and talent is astounding. People take that shit for granted because it is a radio hit that was overplayed, but god dammit he can SING. This song alone makes me want to believe in God.
A Kiss to Send Us Off is the tits. I understand that it is a repetitive song, but there is one part at the 3:27 mark where the music starts to play harder with an echo effect in the background of Boyd’s moaning that is pure #IncubusMagic. Thus, vaulting this song to a higher level than what it would be for just incessantly screaming the title of the song at me. Anna Molly is very, very good, especially with the title being a play on the word anomaly. Crafty vets these Incubus guys are. Love Hurts can suck it hard, right along with Drive. GTFO! I hear you on Oil and Water and Diamonds and Coal. You would think they wouldn’t put them back to back on the damn album. I mean, the songs are structured the same way. If we can hear it, they can hear it. Crafty vets my ass.
Paper Shoes was the first song on the playlist! Hell yes! Do those 9 songs stand the test of time? I want to say yes, but also want to not go so GD heavy on Incubus. YOU’RE BETTER THAN THAT DAVID! And at last we have arrived at Pendulous Threads. I hear what you are saying about it being similar to Sick Sad Little World. I find that I only like the chorus of this song though, whereas Sick Sad Little World was epic in many OTHER ways. But I feel you. I dig you even. I just don’t think it has/had the same effect on me as you. Boyd’s voice is great on the track and it would be an interesting song to see live because it was great played loud in my garage!
The Favorites:
Adam: Pendulous Threads
Dave: Anna Molly