The songs of Incubus

The local concert scene is in for a truly rocking evening when Incubus returns for a one-night only stint at the Araneta Coliseum on March 9. One of the hottest alternative bands of the moment, Incubus was here two years ago performing songs from its phenomenal Crow Left of the Murder album. This time around the focus will be on last year’s release Light Grenades, which shows the group maturing into more accomplished artists with its clever mix of metal rock, jazz, hip-hop samplings and philosophical though at times corny musings.

I do not know how important the latter is to its followers or if its practice of dissing social ills is what made the band a success. But there is always something of this sort in all its albums, if you are the type to enjoy such things. Things like Megalomaniac as the ode against the war on terror or Talk Shows on Mute as a commentary against reality TV. And I must say that Incubus’ Brandon Boyd, who is one of the best rock vocalists today, delivers such with conviction.

What I like best about Incubus though is the way it mixes music forms. It is a rock band but it is one that is open to endless experimentation and every new album yields lots of new discoveries. Some work and some don’t, the Beastie Boys do the hip-hop/rock mix better, but I have always admired artists who refuse to keep themselves confined to categories. So local rock artists had better hie themselves over to the Big Dome for this show. If they watch and listen with open minds, I am sure they will be able to learn lots of new things that will get Pinoy Rock out of its current rut.

Certainly new and interesting are the contents of Light Grenades. The latest CD presents Incubus in romantic emo glory. Quicksand, the first cut sets the lighter pace. A Kiss to Send Us Off may rock harder but the next cut returns to a softer mood. Not as soft as the description denotes but softer than usual for the likes of Incubus. The other titles included and which are mostly love songs are Love Hurts, Light Grenades, Earth to Bella Parts I and II, Oil and Water, Diamonds and Coal, Rogues, Paper Shoes, Pendulous Thanks and the best cut and the big hit single out of the album, the classic rocker Anna Molly.

Incubus was born in California over a decade ago. It is made up of Boyd on vocals and guitar; Mike Einziger on guitar, vocals and piano; Jose Pasillas on drums and percussion and Chris Kilmore on turntables, keyboards, samples, etc. Drive, Stellar, Wish You Were Here, Warning, Megalomaniac, Nice to Know You and Make a Move are some of Incubus’ big selling singles. Aside from Crow Left of Murder and Light Grenades, other available albums are S.C.I.E. N.C.E., with which Incubus first made its mark, Make Yourself and Morning View.

Colbie Caillat in Manila

Still on visiting foreign artists. Colbie Caillat, the girl whose sunshine bright countenance and sweet easy sound have conquered the hit charts will be visiting Manila. Thanks to Ayala Malls, MCA Music, Inc. and MTV Philippines, fans can catch her live on March 11, 7 p.m. at the Glorietta Activity Center in Makati City. It will be followed by another performance at 6 p.m. at the Trinoma in Quezon City the next day, March 12.

Colbie is a fine example of the new sort of music star. She was born and bred on the Net and it was only after she had been downloaded thousands of times that she signed the usual recording contract. She made her debut on Myspace performing her own composition Bubbly. In no time at all, Bubbly and Coco, the CD from where it comes from, were topping the regular music charts. Coco is a great breezy experience that reminds me of a female Jack Johnson. It is a refreshing break from all the rock and rap and power ballads we usually get these days. Colbie’s new single Realize is also a winner.

Opening the shows for Colbie will be Filipino soul sister Julianne. Fans who will buy copies of Coco at the show venues can get them autographed personally by Colbie.