Collegiate Times

Since the late '90s, modern rock has been stuck in the mud. Recently, getting quality air- time on the radio has been a struggle for any band that considers itself modern rock except those named Nickelback and Staind. Unfortunately, the rock genre needs more music from those two like Brady Quinn needs a sponge bath from Jeff Garcia. Today the airwaves are dominated by teeny boppers and hip hop, and there is little room for the kids from Incubus. That might be about to change. But then again, it is radio.

Little is told about the band and its members. Lead singer Brandon Boyd, lead guitarist Mike Einziger and drummer Jose Pasillas have been band-mates since elementary school. In Light Grenades, the trio has once again enlisted in the services of DJ Chris Kilmore. It's Kilmore who provides the band with one of its more unique qualities. Since its beginning, Incubus has used an intricate blend of heavier rock with turntable.

This combination became a fad for many rock bands in the late '90s as Korn and Limp Bizkit tried to establish themselves has hip hop rock artists. Incubus, on the other hand, has never abused the turntable to try and win over hip hop fans.

Kilmore's work with Incubus is much more honest as he provides Incubus with a matching sound rather than the criss-cross of rock and rap seen from the others. Incubus has a pretty simple formula for the majority of their tracks — heavy drums and strong bass accompanied by melodic guitar work and some turntable work to garnish. It also never hurts to have a lead singer who can both sing and look normal in front of a camera.

The dying genre of modern rock gets a booster shot today as Incubus releases their sixth album. Incubus has been lying low for the past five years after their album "Morning View" helped them to climb to the top of the charts in 2001. In 2004 they released "A Crow Left of the Murder." The album failed to follow the multi-platinum foot steps of "Morning View," but did stir up some controversy as many of the songs were critical of the Bush administration. Incubus, much like System of a Down and Rage Against the Machine, has a long track record of politically motivated music; however, the latter two tend to garnish more attention and more air-time on the radio.

Many of the Incubus faithful felt the album in 2004 was too weak. Many attribute the bands success to its acoustic ballade "Drive" from the 1999 success, "Make Yourself." "A Crow Left of the Murder" was an album full of acoustical work that tried to capitalize on the fringe listeners. But since the album disappointed its reliable fans Incubus decided to get back to the meat and potatoes that made them popular.

Released today, "Lights and Grenades" attempts to pick up where "A Crow Left of the Murder" left off. Leaked on the wonderful world of the internet just weeks ago, fans were quickly relieved to learn that Incubus had returned to its former ways. The album has a crisp sound thanks to the unbelievable drum work from Passilas. Consider it a coming out party for the drummer. Also noteworthy is the impressive bass work from new band member Ben Kenny.

The band's first single "Anna Molly" (anomaly, very clever) is about as catchy as they come. It's hard to know where to start when describing the Incubus sound, but simply put — it's loud. "Anna Molly" is no different, and it stands as a showcase of what modern rock should be. The 13-track album has a variety of sounds heard in Incubus' previous work. The album follows the can't miss format laid forth in both "Morning View" and "Make Yourself" of hard alternative rock with the occasional slow ballad for the 13- year-old that thinks Boyd is cute and posts it on her YouTube videos.

It will be interesting to see how radio perceives "Light Grenades" as it unsurprisingly shunned "A Crow Left of the Murder." Hopefully some radio executive finds it in his or her heart to spare us from another cookie cutter song from Nickelback about Chad Kroger's miserable childhood (we get it, your parents got divorced, get over it). It could use something a little less stale.

In all "Light Grenades" comes through like a freight train, and if you're into modern rock that isn't Nickelback, then you're in for a treat.