Disco de Incubus: “S.C.I.E.N.C.E. [Remaster]”

This is currently my favourite album to listen to, and most certainly the most interesting; which of course means its my favourite of all their CD's. Now the others I've listened to, I would give 5 stars, but this is easily 6, and slips into my top 20 alltime albums (and I have alot of albums to choose from).

This a fantasic debut album, taking me back to the craziness of the 1st two Roxy Music Albums (yes I know that was a long time ago, but I remember them, and still listen to them)

Initially, after having enjoyed Morning View, I thought, 'no, not as good', but after the 2nd listening, Redefine and Vitamin caught my 'ear' and then after further listening I realised that the initial problem was the sear variety of music styles played, the sear scale of 'orginal ideas'; however the more I listen the more that variety made the album much more interesting listening for the longer term. In fact the opening track trio are probably my favorite combined opening on any album.

Yes, not everything is perfect, and some styles don't quite gel as well as they might, I wish they had split up Calgone (I always end up laughing though): this is just 'nit' picking. Originally I couldn't understand the point of 'Medicine Magic' (which seems to be the case with most people; actually I still don't see the 'point'), but now I love it; the drums and bass are fantastic and everything else just fits, enjoy the words, but marvel at the music.

From a musician's point of view, great bass, great syncopated drums, the odd jazzy guitar, then there's, funk, metal, hip hop melody, etc. These guys obviously have great diverse musical tastes.

Summary: Original, Eclectic, Continually interesting, Great Musicianship, Fun, No bad tracks, Superb.

After getting hooked on Make Yourself and Morning View, i decided to take a step back towards Incubus' more humble beginnings. I was afraid that i wouldn't like S.C.I.E.N.C.E., but within an hour, I was hooked again! In my opinion, DJ Lyfe's presence was too obvious (too much mixing) but that is the only criticism i can come up with.

Each song has it's own unique beat and lesson. "Redefine" tell us that we should take life into our own hands and "paint whatever picture [we] like." "Idiot Box" exposes our dependence on television, and "Favorite Things" reflects the belief that religion confines our lives. These are great songs to start a conversation! Not to mention great to listen to! There are great guitar riffs and steady drum beats and vocals that hypnotize. Incubus can't be beat!

For ANY INCUBUS FAN, BUY THIS CD!!!

Incubus has been my favorite band for almost 5 years and I tend not to like very hard and loud music. Make Yourself seemed hard enough for me and Morning View was very mellow. Friends told me about SCIENCE and I figured I would try it. Even though the music on SCIENCE is harder than any on the other two albums I mentioned, it was incredible. They can perform hard music in a way so it is not just screaming over one guitar chord and the lyrics don't repeat over and over. It is the most melodic hard rock sound I have ever heard. It is now my favorite Incubus album and only made me love the band more. Not only do they have multiple rock songs (my fav. being Idiot Box), but they also throw in funk, jazz and hip hop. Songs like Antigravity Love Song and Deep Inside (my fav. song on the album) mix rock with funk, jazz, and hip hop like never done before or since. It really makes you think why other bands don't try this until you remember that very few bands have the talent that Incubus possesses.

After hearing other Incubus albums like Make Yourself and Enjoy Incubus, I figured that S.I.E.N.C.E would have a similar sound. But it didn't. It has a better sound and type of music than their others. This one shows their heavier side before becoming soft like on MY and MV. EI had more of a jazzy sound. Being an Incubus fan, I wasn't disappointed with any of these, but this one is my favorite. If you don't have it, I suggest you buy it. It's cheaper...and remastered. I feel "New Skin", "Glass", "A Certain Shade of Green", and "Deep Inside" are the best songs, but buy it and judge them for yourself. I would start out with this CD first, then work your way from oldest release to newest release. Get this record before any others. It's the best.

Incubus' first great album is ironically also their last. Depending on how you view their formative demo-compilation Fungus Amongus, it is also their debut album. Signalling the consolidation of the funk-metal stylings of Fungus Amongus and the E.P. Enjoy Incubus, with the backing of a major label (Immortal/Epic) the southern California youngsters found themselves with more studio time, more experience and ultimately more scope than ever before to flex their creative muscle.

Commonly credited as the brainchild of (since-fired) bassist Alex Katunich aka. Dirk Lance, S.C.I.E.N.C.E. (origins of the title remain a mystery) is a ferocious and fascinating hybrid of metal, funk, drum and bass, hip-hop and jazz fusion. Indeed, Katunich's rapid-fire slap/mute style forms the basis for many of S.C.I.E.N.C.E.'s most recognizable pieces, most notably 'Redefine', 'New Skin' and 'A Certain Shade of Green'. His laid-back, groove-heavy playing on tracks such as 'Glass' and 'Deep Inside' also showcase the burgeoning talents of drummer Jose Pasillas on a percussion-laden record.

Frontman Brandon Boyd is the figure least recognizable from Incubus' current incarnation however, with his staccato quasi-rap vocals; tabla, djembe and didgeridoo playing, and lyrics concerned with social belligerence, spiritual rebirth and higher states of consciousness belying his current status as a supermodel-dating, GAP Jeans poster boy.

Turntable-ist DJ Lyfe also shines in his final outing with the band (he would later be fired, with unconfirmed reasons for his dismissal ranging from disputes over publishing monies to Lyfe having slept with Boyd's girlfriend) adding a much-imitated aspect to the band's frenetic sound.

Comparisons with Faith No More not withstanding, S.C.I.E.N.C.E. is often overlooked with regard to the band's catalogue, yet it stands as their only truly accomplished work, with subsequent records ranging from inconsistent (Make Yourself, 1999), to middle-of-the-road (Morning View, 2001), lacklustre (A Crow Left of the Murder, 2003) and unadventurous (Light Grenades, 2006). S.C.I.E.N.C.E.'s most unfortunate legacy however, stands as its considerable contribution to the popularisation of the loathsome 'nu metal' genre.