'8' - Album discussion

[torres]

Initial thoughts on the clips:

- Best Incubus album since Crow
- Brandon figured out less is more. He sings at a comfortable vocal register throughout the album without compromising the quality of the melodies. The songs are going to be very fun to sing along. Lyrics are accessible without lacking sophistication.
- It's still a rock record with Incubus' undeniable high level of musicality, but with very pop-friendly production (in a good way). It seems like Mike has gained a lot from his experiences collaborating with everyone in the industry, particularly when it comes to songwriting.
- We might have to wait until the live shows to hear what exactly Kilmore did on the songs, but the album seems pretty loaded with samples, effects, keys, synth, and all that jazz. I just don't know what comes from Kilmore, what came from Mike, and what might have come from Skrillex.

[IncubusBelgium]

I tried to resist, but I just can't.

Been listening to all the snippets for 2 days now.

Like almost every Incubus album, I think the last songs on the album are always the best.

On this one, Familiar Faces, Love in a Time, Make no Sound (<3 <3) & Throw out the map seems to be amazing. Best songs I've heard from Incubus in a decade. Can't wait to hear the whole stuff.

Incubus is back boys !

[torres]

Like almost every Incubus album, I think the last songs on the album are always the best.

First half is really strong though. "State of the Art", "Undefeated", and "Loneliest" are close to flawless for me.

There is a pretty wide market of listeners for this album. Pressure should now be on Island Records to promote it, because the songs speak for themselves. There could be as many as five songs that might make even better singles than "Nimble Bastard" and "Glitterbomb".

[Dean Youngblood]

Trying so hard not to spoil it.

Just caught the "Make No Sound" snippet and my jaw hit the floor. Wow.

[phil collins]

Remember, the teasers usually leave out the best parts of the songs.....solos, etc..

I ran through them a couple of times and then deleted them because I want everything to be fresh on 4/21, I don't want to get to crazy and play NB/Glitterbomb/Clips so much that it's stale before the record even comes out.

I preordered the Vinyl/hoodie/litho combo (bittersweet $100)

[JLynn943]

I'm gonna hold out. I think it would be weird knowing such a big chunk of each song and then filling in the rest with what's not in the snippets. Seems like it would sound odd when getting the rest of the song. I understand listening to them now, but I've got to keep the first listens whole I think.

[IncubusBelgium]

Can anybody preorder with a non-US shipping ?

[Nicubus]

Can anybody preorder with a non-US shipping ?

Not on IncubusHQ, but you can on amazon.

[IncubusBelgium]

Can anybody preorder with a non-US shipping ?

Not on IncubusHQ, but you can on amazon.

Those bundles are way more interesting

(and I don't like Amazon)

[Comatose]

Loneliest is the only one I wasn't digging. I hate hate hate that hip hop drum machine sound.

[MattsPistola]

State of the Art and Undefeated are two of the most generic and boring Incubus songs I have heard. They reek of INNW sap to me. Really digging pretty much everything else especially Throw Out the Map.

[enjoincubus2]

So... this is that album. At least, this is the album you always wanted as an incubus fan circa 2004. Crow is my favorite, then probably my, my, science, LG, then INNW, Fungus. This album is going to be fucking awesome guys. Fucking enjoi incubus.

[Blind Melon]

So... this is that album. At least, this is the album you always wanted as an incubus fan circa 2004. Crow is my favorite, then probably my, my, science, LG, then INNW, Fungus. This album is going to be fucking awesome guys. Fucking enjoi incubus.

You really love Make Yourself that much, huh?

[enjoincubus2]

[quote="Blind Melon"][quote="enjoincubus2"]So... this is that album. At least, this is the album you always wanted as an incubus fan circa 2004. Crow is my favorite, then probably my, my, science, LG, then INNW, Fungus. This album is going to be fucking awesome guys. Fucking enjoi incubus.[/quote]

You really love Make Yourself that much, huh?[/quote]

My bad, *MV, MY

Point is, I really like what I'm hearing.

[jbarnettuk1984]

Hello boys & girls. Long time Incubus fan, first time poster on this particular forum. I started following Incubus around the Make Yourself release, fortunately catching them live 2-3 times in an era where they were playing mostly Make Yourself and Science tracks at their live shows. They’ve undoubtedly been my favourite band ever since and I’ve seen them 12 times live – not bad for someone based in the UK. I was also lucky enough to see Ben performing on his solo tour of Europe, to a room of about 25 people – a gig which is still to this day, one of the best I have ever attended.

From a personal point of view, Morning View & ACLOTM are my favourite Incubus albums. They take me back to certain points in my life where I have very happy memories, and I have continued to play both albums on a regular basis throughout the years. Light Grenades never quite sat right with me, nor did the Trust Fall EP. I could take or leave INNW (a couple of the tracks on there are dynamite, but most of it was largely forgettable).

SO… on to ‘8’. I’m ridiculously hyped for this record. Nimble Bastard was a straight forward, simple ‘rock’ song. An easy introduction for what is hopefully, a return to form. Glitterbomb only added to my anticipation. It took about 3 listens to finally ‘click’ and I’ve had it on repeat since then.

Brandon has mentioned in several interviews that Dave Sardy pushed him to his limits, vocally. You can really hear this in the second verse of Glitterbomb when his vocals break. I was starting to worry that Brandon had run out of ideas when I heard the lyrics to Make Out Party (which were cringeworthy at best), but Glitterbomb’s lyrics are heartfelt and touching. You can really sense the pain behind them – and the rest of the band are pumping out a catchy riff that fits like a glove on top. The whole band just seem ‘on it’. The new mix of NB also highlights Kilmore isn’t just sitting behind his decks killing time.

I’ve listened to the snippets of the whole album (as if I’d be able to wait), and my levels of excitement to sit down and listen to the whole record from start to finish are now at fever pitch. Lyrically, I can connect with ‘State of the Art’ a lot. Brandon mentioned one of the topics of this record was ageing, and I sense this particular song is about that. Don’t get me wrong – I recently turned 33 – I’m hardly ‘over the hill’, but I can certainly relate to the words of this song. Working with a bunch of 18-20 year olds, I appreciate I’m not young anymore – and with him in his early 40’s, I think he’s realising the same.

No Fun sounded different on the snippet compared to the recording we heard from Sonny in the studio. That’ll be a fun song and a good way to start the album. I loved how it turned from a fun, almost poppy rock song in to something dark, moody & Incubus-y.

I have to say I’m quietly excited about Loneliest. The last part of the snippet where Mike comes in with his guitar is beautiful and I can’t wait to see where that song goes. Potentially a huge hit. Throw Out The Map sounds a lot like some of the later tracks on Morning View, and that can only be a good thing. I also like the pacing of Undefeated – similar sort of feel to Agoraphobia.

Familiar Faces seems like an easily accessible song that will be stuck in peoples heads after the first listen. I found the same with tracks like Dig.

I can’t wait to see some of these tracks live (and am surprised by the lack of TV appearances up to this point). A lot of the snippets suggest there is substantial room for adding bits and bobs here and there in to a live performance, which is what Incubus is all about. Here’s hoping for some UK tour news in the near future… sorry to go on, in my first post!

Lastly… where IS Ben?!

[alabaster]

Where's Ben? Probably in his little apartment writing songs that blow away anything that's going to be on "8".

[alabaster]

welcome first time poster!

[redonkulousemu]

Where's Ben? Probably in his little apartment writing songs that blow away anything that's going to be on "8".

As much as I like Glitter Bomb and hyped for the new album, I do very much love Ben's music, so this made me chuckle.

[The Idler Wheel]

Hey everyone,

I've had a few more days with the new snippets and I'm loving them more and more, anticipating how they will sound in their full form. I know we're only about 4 weeks out now, but it feels like forever! LOL

Okay, I have more thoughts on the snippets. I'll give some space for those who don't want to be spoiled....BEWARE-DETAILS AHEAD...










"No Fun"- This one stuck out to me from the first time I heard it. This could be a great summer hit. However, with "Nimble Bastard" already being released, which has a similar uptempo "shouty" chorus, I have a feeling this won't be the next single, which is a shame. I hear some elements of "Privilege" in it. Also, that little part of the bridge we get to hear sounds great! Good opening track!!

"State of The Art"- I'm coming around on this. I'm gonna be honest, I didn't really like this song at first and it's still not my favorite. It's decent. I do like some of the guitar work Mike lays down on this. And there's a part of me that can imagine this song getting some radio airplay. It could be this album's sleeper hit, like "Love Hurts". We'll see.

"Undefeated"- I'm putting this on the same level as "Sate of the Art". Okay, but leaves me feeling like it's missing a little something to make it stand out.

"Loneliest"- This is one of the songs I want to hear the most. I know some people will be put off by the drum machine beat, but I love how everything sounds on top of the beat. Lots of layers to this track...I could listen to it all day! Plus, Brandon has such a versatile voice, it works for me. There was a joke on one of their interviews where Brandon says the album should have been called "Dark and Lovely". That's exactly what comes to mind when I hear this track-beautiful and heartbreaking at the same time. "Here in My Room" meets "Wolves".

"When I Became A Man"- Don't get the point of this one yet, but I know if a really great song got cut from the album for this, I will be pissed!!

"Familar Faces"- I get a fun 80's vibe from this, like something The Police or Hall and Oates would have sung back in the day. At the same time, it doesn't sound dated. I have a feeling this is the song they wanted to make when they made "Diamonds and Coal" but failed miserably. LOL!! I think this will end up being one of my favorites.

“Love in a Time of Surveillance”- LOVE THIS ONE!! Very 90's grunge and it sounds killer! Low crunchy guitars+bassline+Brandon's vocals= PERFECTION!! The only song I can think of that sounds like this is "Zee Deveel", but this is better. Way better!! More of this..PLEASE!!

“Make No Sound in the Digital Forest”- Stunning instrumental track, that sounds like it could fit with the instrumentals that were on the Look Alive DVD. Lots of cool effects. Good stuff!!

“Throw Out the Map”- I hear elements of Morning View and Crow on this one. Sounds like a great closer to the album.


Outside of "When I Became A Man", this sounds like a very strong album. Even my least favorite tracks aren't as bad as some songs off their previous works.

My current rankings, in order of best to worst:

"Glitterbomb"
“Love in a Time of Surveillance”
"Loneliest"
“Make No Sound in the Digital Forest”
“Throw Out the Map”
"No Fun"
"Nimble Bastard"
"Familar Faces"
"State of The Art"
"Undefeated"



"When I Became A Man"

LOL!!



As far as Ben, I just think he's a more reserved guy; a great musician who doesn't really care much about the limelight. Plus, with Brandon saying that Ben and Mike worked really well together on this album, I'm very excited to hear what Ben brings to it, especially live, as I feel his live solos are where he really shines.

[enjoincubus2]

Did anybody read the quote from incubusupdate instagram? Apparently '8' was entirely written by Mike and Brandon. The original songs presented to Dave Sardy were shot down and Mike and Brandon spent the next 6 months together in a rented home in Venice drinking coffee and writing the framework of the new album on acoustic guitar and piano. May be why we are seeing less passion from Ben.