Brendan O'Brien / Bob Ludwig - Light Grenades (CD)

A long-awaited break from an aggressive touring cycle afforded Incubusthe freedom to hone a set of material that fully realized the band's ever-developing musical vision. Light years from the novelty turntable scratching and rap-rock angst that marked their earlier works, LIGHT GRENADESis an arty and diverse affair. The bass-heavy prog leanings of 2004's A CROW LEFT OF THE MURDERare replaced by a much more meat-and-potatoes rock approach that has become quintessential Incubus. The album opens with "Quicksand" and sets a crouching-to-pounce tone, only to launch into the bombastic riffing of "A Kiss To Send Us Off." Leadoff single "Anna Molly" drives with tension and urgency, while the group channels Prince on "Diamonds And Coal." LIGHT GRENADESoffers up a fair number of ballads, standouts being "Love Hurts" and "Dig." In the interests of dramatic extremes, the fiercely punky title track works climactically, while the two parts of "Earth To Bella" act as a midpoint and denouement for a solid effort.