Incubus - If Not Now, When (2011)

It has been nearly 5 years since Incubus has released their album Light Grenades and I’m sure fans are eager to hear the loud but delicate vocals of Brandon Boyd. Throughout the history of the band, each album has taken on new directions and creative style. The question on everyone’s mind is which creative direction will this album take?
This album is definitely classified in a category of its own, when it comes to sound alone. If one was to listen to the albums instrumentals by itself and was then asked what 90′s band it reminded them of, I’m pretty certain the name Incubus would be nowhere in mind. The sound is very minimal (instruments wise) and has some very easy and relaxed vocals over the top.

I would normally try to compare this extensive leap of melody to a bands maturity and/or growth, but definitely not when it comes to Incubus. The band remains a loner when it comes to distinguishing a certain sound. They seem to want to take this vocational travel without bringing along any luggage, pretty much allowing oneself to be free from the weight of expectations.
The album opens up with a song that shares the same title and album, “If Not Now, When”. It makes perfect sense to me why this name selection was made after listening to the entire album. The album seems to maintain a passive or even static conceptual pivoting point of provocation and the opening track displays that characteristic throughout the lifespan of the song.
Each song seems to be compromised of emotion but displayed overall in a melodrama. Not exhausting too much energy or power but still providing enough substance to get a point across. Personally this actually makes the album a bit more comprehensive in its own limitations.
After maintaining a consistent feel from track 1 to 8, we finally experience some major contrast. Switchblade, track 9, has a vulgar and high tempo vocal assault encompassed by old Incubus funk. This track is beautiful on many scales and Dj Kilmore extends some really interesting keyboards into the mix.

The following track, Adolescents, broadcasts memories of songs from the album Morning View. Vocally, Brandon Boyd’s range is extended further than anywhere else on this album. You can hear the jam rock and power chords suddenly creep in and out of the track. It sounds like the band is maybe paying homage to the their past works or maybe just having a little bit of fun on the album and throwing listeners off course?
This brings us to last track on the “If Not Now, When?” album. This song is very melodic and direct. After listening to this track 3 or more times, I had conceived my own opinions about why this song was placed at the end of the album and attempted to transcribe the logic in the lyrics. It seems to me that the band is expressing their thoughts on creativity but I will let you listen to the song yourself and form your own opinion.
All in all, the album is beautiful and touches on a new frontier. Upon a first play through, a listener might not be able to appreciate the importance of this album in the bands career but I honestly feel like the band has reached a cerebral point. Fans of the past that are looking for that older and harder feel might still be disappointed in this album but others will feel this album to have depth and eccentric passion. I will give Incubus a 4 out of 5.