Incubus: Look Alive

Incubus: Look Alive is a dedicated summation of the state of Incubus, the alt-metal band born in the San Fernando Valley. Generally well-regarded by music critics who have noted the group's evolution since its formation in 1991, Incubus emphasizes tracks from their most recent album, Light Grenades, on Look Alive, a concert disc shot during a world tour. While the seemingly low-key band takes to the road in some fairly exotic places, it demonstrates during live performances of the jangly "Quicksand," the hard-rocking "Megalomaniac," and dramatic "Anna Molly" that vocalist Brandon Boyd, guitarist Mike Einziger, bassist Dirk Lance, and drummer Jose Pasillas are close to mastering their ever-developing penchant for radical tonal shifts within songs. Melodically drifting while rhythmically sputtering and exploding, Incubus' most up-to-date work, perhaps especially played in concert, proves the group is exploring uncharted territory of its own. A novel element on this disc is travel footage from the band's tour, including images from Israel, Dubai, London, and peculiarly beautiful, surreal shots of Iceland. --Tom Keogh