Incubus

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, you're probably well aware that I went to the Incubus concert on Friday. It was hard to stop talking about the show after I got home - until 2 in the morning. And the next day. I apologize of this runs on. I can't say enough about them. And while I tend to make suggestive statements about a certain lead singer *cough*, well what the band encompasses is far beyond outer beauty. They work as such a cohesive unit in writing and performing. It's astounding on multiple levels. I am all about words, so music has always been about the lyrics for me. Not with Incubus; it's about them as a whole - though, admittedly, Brandon Boyd's lyrics most certainly lead the way.

An aside on the lyric situation. Another old(ish) tune they played was Anna Molly. Not one I thoroughly loved when it came out, but it grew on me. Love it now; fantastic lyrics...but! (I'm pretty sure) part of the lyrics go something like: Or something better/I could care less. The completely anal writer in me always wants to yell: couldN'T care less. You could NOT care less. But I digress. I'm learning to let the little things go, or at least trying.

Fly away Little Things. Fly away and be free.

I went with my best friend of 22 years. Yeah, 22! Since we were young teens. Which we no longer are. And I have the aching neck, lower back and toes to prove that. But, how could I not do a little head-banging to the biggest surprise of the night - A Certain Shade of Green came out in '97, but it holds up so well today, like pretty much all of their stuff. The guys are close in age to me so I'm not sure how they do it night after night on the road, especially after such a long break between records and tours.

Bestie thought I'd lost my mind for getting pit tickets - and honestly, I wavered about my sanity for making that call. But I am so glad I did. So. glad. (There were as many people our age on the floor as 20-somethings!) We arrived early and were right up against the stage. Le sigh.

I've been to many, many concerts, and I've watched a lot of live Incubus shows on youtube, but it was just beyond what I expected. I was _blown_ away. They played a range of songs spanning 14 years. (They didn't play any from their first album (95) - or either of the 2 new ones on '09's greatest hits album.) On the way there we listened to them (duh!) and there were 3 songs I told her I'd be thrilled if any one was played - they played 2 of them: The Warmth (language) - just beyond a beautiful song and Consequence. Huge bonus was another of my old favorites - acoustic! - Talk Shows on Mute Here's the photo of it:

The latest album, If Not Now, When? (title track - gorgeous) shows amazing maturity in so many ways, while being so basic in many as well. It's gotten flack from many. This is not the hardcore stuff they did as teens and early 20-somethings, but they aren't 20-something anymore. They are adults, with families and/or serious relationships and steady lives. So am I. I think this may be why I've stuck with them when I've not been able to do so with almost every other band/artist I loved through the years. I've grown and changed with these guys, and have enjoyed every step of the way, and each album as much as the last, for its differences, not in spite of them. No doubt, the Morning View album will always hold a huge spot in my heart (hello - my finished novel, ROULETTE, was highly inspired by Echo), but this album has rocked my world, albeit more softly than some of their previous stuff. ;-)

I'm wrapping up soon, Promises, Promises. That was sneaky, eh? And here's Mike Einziger (on far side of stage from me) playing the piano for it:

And Ben Kenney during Switchblade - my son's favorite off the new album; he begged me to wear a black hat, lol! (Daughter likes it a lot, but In the Company of Wolves is her fave.) I'm torn. One is sex, and one is sexy (trust me - make sure you get to 4:15 on Wolves...whew, it's hot in there.

I wanted better pics of Chris Kilmore and Jose Pasillas, but they hide behind all their equipment, and Jose was facing away from me. Boo.


They did 7 songs from the new one, out of 21 total. The last of the night was one of my favorites. Well, I say that, but just like with all Incubus songs/albums, as soon as I hear the next one I say, oh wait, no, this one is my favorite. I honestly can't choose. Not my video - my sound quality is poor since I was so close, but this guy captured it nicely: Tomorrow's Food ~ The older we all get, the better we all were. No, really. This is live. Live. Listen to that voice; listen to that tight music. Live. The night was just beyond.

I'll leave you with what are [for now] my favorite lines on If Not Now, When? There's an absence today of Defiance. Our most awakened inclination. This so resonates with me. I couldn't agree more (see how I tied that in there *snort*). And, it also brings another of my favorite old(ish) lyrics full circle: You had the perfect opportunity/But plead the fifth and walked away. Make a Move (hands over eyes are the engines of demise).

Okay, blog will resume to writing and love and life with my next post! And I will get to all the lovely awards I've been given by my awesome friends and fellow writers. Thanks for sticking with me, guys. Love you.