Light Grenades

Last updated

Light Grenades
Incubus - Light Grenades.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedNovember 28, 2006
RecordedJanuary–July 2006
StudioHenson Recording Studio, Hollywood, California
Southern Tracks Recording, Atlanta, Georgia
Genre Alternative rock
Length47:36
Label Epic/Immortal
Producer Brendan O'Brien
Incubus chronology
Live in Malaysia 2004
(2004)
Light Grenades
(2006)
Monuments and Melodies
(2009)
Singles from Light Grenades
  1. "Anna Molly"
    Released: September 20, 2006
  2. "Dig"
    Released: March 27, 2007
  3. "Oil and Water"
    Released: June 5, 2007
  4. "Love Hurts"
    Released: October 7, 2008

Light Grenades is the sixth studio album by alternative rock band Incubus, released on November 28, 2006, on Epic. The album sold 359,000 copies during its first week of release worldwide, and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, selling 165,000 copies in the US in its first week; it is the band's first number one album. [1] The album achieved Gold certification, less than the band's previous Platinum records beginning with 1999's Make Yourself .

Contents

History

"Earth to Bella" and "Love Hurts" made their live debut in front of an audience at the Make Some Noise concert on April 29, 2006.

"A Kiss to Send Us Off" and "Anna Molly" made their live debut on VH1's Decades Rock: Live Tribute to the Pretenders on August 11, 2006, even though the songs were not featured in the program. The same two songs were also performed at Edgefest 2006 on September 30 at Tempe Beach Park, Arizona.

"Rogues" made its debut at a pair of pre album-release shows at the London Astoria and the Berlin Postbahnhof on November 14 and 16, 2006.

The songs "Punch Drunk" and "Look Alive" were recorded during the Light Grenades sessions, but were originally only available as bonus tracks on the Japanese edition of the album. Live versions have since seen release worldwide on the Look Alive live DVD. The studio versions of both songs are also on Monuments and Melodies .

Musical style

Mike Einziger, Incubus' guitarist, commented in an interview with MTV that the album "sounds like 13 different bands playing 13 different songs... Every time we're about to start making a new album, I tell myself, 'Okay, this one's going to be cohesive,' and it never happens." [2] For the most part, Light Grenades expands upon the sounds previously explored in 2004's A Crow Left of the Murder... .

Other songs showcase a new direction for the band. For example, Brandon Boyd describes the curious recording technique behind "Paper Shoes": "There's a song called 'Paper Shoes' where Michael and I mic'd our bodies with ambient mics and did the percussion tracks pounding on our chests and skulls. The galloping rhythm is us pounding on our chests. It was really funny. We were trying so hard not to laugh because we were sitting there like cavemen beating our chests!"

Themes

When asked about the album title by Kerrang! in 2006, Boyd explained:

There's a song called that on the record and it felt like the most pertinent conceptual aspect of the album, the idea of throwing ideas at problems and the ideas explode with light and good results and intention on consciousness. So I started imagining imagery of students in different countries protesting and throwing Molotov cocktails with masks over their faces. But there's one brave student who runs up to the police line and, as opposed to throwing rocks or things that destroy, there's this concept of that one courageous, lonely student running up and throwing ideas and having them actually change things. It just seemed kind of a cool concept: the redefining of weaponry. [3]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 65/100
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [4]
Alternative Press Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [5]
Blender Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [6]
Entertainment Weekly B+ [7]
IGN 8.8/10 [8]
PopMatters 7/10 [9]
Rock Sound 8/10 [10]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [11]
Spin Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [12]

At Metacritic, which assigns a rating determined by a "weighted average" of reviews from mainstream critics, the album received a score of 65 out of 100, based on 13 reviews, indicating "generally favourable reviews". [13] However, Beats per Minute later identified this album as the start of Incubus' decline in quality that continued with later, softer releases such as If Not Now, When? (2011). [14]

Jon Foreman of IGN praised the single "Dig" in his December 2006 review, but also noted, "Incubus is not limited to poppy, commercially viable tracks like this; tracks that can be (and have been) the downfall of other, less forward thinking bands. With influences from Faith No More to Ani DiFranco, the almost schizophrenic range they have established for themselves counts wholeheartedly on the fact that fans and critics alike realize that the varying genres they incorporate into their music compliment[ sic ] one another with credible aplomb. In other words, they would not be able to make a track like 'Dig' work on the album without complimentary[ sic ] tracks like 'Pendulous Threads' or 'Light Grenades'". [8] Mike Schiller of PopMatters wrote in January 2007, "Boyd sounds as Patton-esque in his modern rock operatics as ever, and the band has perfected the transition from studio-friendly perfectionists to intentionally messy well-produced garagers." [9] He further adds, "Incubus has never made a perfect album — no, not even S.C.I.E.N.C.E. — and Light Grenades, truth told, is far from perfect. 'A Kiss to Send Us Off' sounds a little too much like it’s aping Foo Fighters, both 'Earth to Bella' tracks sound forced and disjoint, and there’s still a little too much in the way of faceless middle-of-the-road rock ‘n roll. Even so, there’s not a single track on Light Grenades that’s truly revolting." [9]

Joe Crofton of MusicOMH considered it to be an improvement over A Crow Left of the Murder.... He wrote in his November 2006 review, "I wasn’t expecting much, and on the first hearing I thought my theory had been proved right. Incubus had devolved into a boring sell-out, pandering soft pop-rock to young girls. However, when I removed my sceptics glasses and opened my eyes I began to realise that there is so much more to this record. These are actual songs, in the vein of Make Yourself and the better half of Morning View . Whatever teething problems they may have been experiencing with new bassist Ben Kenney, it all seems to have been resolved." [15] The Philippine Star said that the album "shows the group maturing into more accomplished artists." [16]

On November 27, 2006, Jenny Eliscu of Rolling Stone awarded the album three out of five stars, claiming that Incubus were initially "written off as a rap-rock band", and that on the album they come "ever closer to becoming active-rock radio’s most sensitive, romantic and adventurous marquee act." She compared the title track to Butthole Surfers, and stated that the tracks "Oil and Water" and "Love Hurts" are "a pair of mammoth ballads the Chili Peppers might have authored." [11] David Marchese of Spin wrote in December 2006 that, "by diverting attention from singer Brandon Boyd’s mostly inane lyrics with sun-dazed melodies and a crisp modern-rock sheen, they nail the profundo pop vibe of late-era Chili Peppers." [17] A more negative review came from The Daily Orange's Andy McCullough, who wrote on November 27, 2006 that "Boyd leads a band that is missing a real identity" and that "Incubus has settled into a bland form of vaguely Californian alt rock, like the Red Hot Chili Peppers with a strung-out Anthony Kiedis and none of the guitar pyrotechnics of John Frusciante." [18]

Legacy

When ranking the eight albums of Incubus in 2020, Kerrang! placed Light Grenades fifth, commenting that it was "showing signs of the burnout that would lead to their five-year hiatus." [19] In a 2022 Louder Sound article, Brandon Boyd also placed the album fifth in his ranking of the Incubus discography, and reflected "we were in a creative love affair and still in the honeymoon phase. He [Ben] and Mikey had found each other, they were like instant musical partners, and there was a lot of creativity still floating around. But this was the time where a lot of interpersonal differences were coming in, it was the beginning of an era when things started taking longer than they usually had historically." [20]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Incubus

No.TitleLength
1."Quicksand"2:13
2."A Kiss to Send Us Off"4:16
3."Dig"4:17
4."Anna Molly"3:45
5."Love Hurts"3:57
6."Light Grenades"2:19
7."Earth to Bella (Part I)"2:28
8."Oil and Water"3:49
9."Diamonds and Coal"3:46
10."Rogues"3:56
11."Paper Shoes"4:17
12."Pendulous Threads"5:35
13."Earth to Bella (Part II)"2:58
Total length:47:36
Japanese bonus tracks
No.TitleLength
14."Punch Drunk"5:14
15."Look Alive"4:21
iTunes bonus track
No.TitleLength
14."Anna Molly" (acoustic)3:59
Best-Buy pre-sale bonus disc
No.TitleLength
14."Anna Molly" (live)3:55
15."Drive" (live)4:07
16."Love Hurts" (acoustic)3:57

Release history

RegionDate
Europe24 November 2006
America28 November 2006

Personnel

Incubus

Singles

Charts

Singles

YearSingleChartPosition
2006"Anna Molly"Billboard Hot 100 [23] 66
Modern Rock Tracks [21] 1
Mainstream Rock Tracks [22] 4
2007"Dig"Billboard Hot 100 [23] 94
Canadian Hot 100 [42] 72
Modern Rock Tracks [21] 4
Mainstream Rock Tracks [22] 17
Adult Top 40 [43] 17
"Oil and Water"Modern Rock Tracks [21] 8
Mainstream Rock Tracks [22] 38
2008"Love Hurts"Modern Rock Tracks [21] 1

Certifications

RegionCertification Certified units/sales
Canada (Music Canada) [44] Gold50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI) [45] Silver60,000
United States (RIAA) [46] Gold500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Incubus (band)</span> American rock band

Incubus is an American rock band from Calabasas, California. The band was formed in 1991 by vocalist Brandon Boyd, lead guitarist Mike Einziger, and drummer José Pasillas while enrolled in Calabasas High School and later expanded to include bassist Alex "Dirk Lance" Katunich, and Gavin "DJ Lyfe" Koppel; the latter two were eventually replaced by bassist Ben Kenney and DJ Kilmore, respectively. Nicole Row replaced Kenney in 2024.

<i>Make Yourself</i> 1999 studio album by Incubus

Make Yourself is the third studio album by American rock band Incubus. It was released on October 26, 1999, through Epic Records and Immortal Records. The album received double platinum certification by the RIAA and produced three charting singles—"Pardon Me", "Stellar", and "Drive"—all of which reached the top three of the Billboard Alternative Songs chart, with the latter topping the chart and also becoming the band's sole top ten hit to date on the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number nine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brandon Boyd</span> American singer

Brandon Charles Boyd is an American musician, best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Incubus, with whom he has recorded eight studio albums.

<i>S.C.I.E.N.C.E.</i> 1997 studio album by Incubus

S.C.I.E.N.C.E. is the second studio album by American rock band Incubus. It was released on September 9, 1997, by Epic and Immortal Records. The album was certified gold by the RIAA, and is the second and final release to feature Gavin Koppel, who first appeared on the 1997 Enjoy Incubus EP. It has been occasionally considered the band's proper debut album, due to the nature of their independent release Fungus Amongus.

<i>Lateralus</i> 2001 studio album by Tool

Lateralus is the third studio album by the American rock band Tool. It was released on May 15, 2001, through Volcano Entertainment. The album was recorded at Cello Studios in Hollywood and The Hook, Big Empty Space, and The Lodge, in North Hollywood, between October 2000 and January 2001. David Bottrill, who had produced the band's two previous releases Ænima and Salival, produced the album along with the band, and became the last Tool album produced by Bottrill to date. On August 23, 2005, Lateralus was released as a limited edition two-picture-disc vinyl LP in a holographic gatefold package.

<i>Morning View</i> 2001 studio album by Incubus

Morning View is the fourth studio album by American rock band Incubus, released October 22, 2001, through Epic Records. A companion DVD, The Morning View Sessions, was released on May 29, 2002. Continuing the move away from nu metal, the album ranges widely from soft to hard rock sounds in the style of alternative rock. Morning View was the last Incubus album to feature bassist Alex Katunich.

<i>Meteora</i> (album) 2003 studio album by Linkin Park

Meteora is the second studio album by American rock band Linkin Park. It was released on March 25, 2003, through Warner Bros. Records, following Reanimation, a collaboration album which featured remixes of songs included on their 2000 debut studio album Hybrid Theory. The album was produced by the band alongside Don Gilmore. The title Meteora is taken from the Greek Orthodox monasteries originally bearing the name. Meteora has a similar sound to Hybrid Theory, as described by critics, and the album took almost a year to be recorded. It is the first Linkin Park studio album to feature bassist Dave "Phoenix" Farrell after he rejoined the band in 2000 following his temporary touring with other bands.

<i>Fungus Amongus</i> 1995 studio album by Incubus

Fungus Amongus is the debut studio album by American rock band Incubus, released on November 1, 1995, by Chillum Records, Incubus' own independent label. It was later re-released under Epic and Immortal Records on November 7, 2000, after popular demand.

<i>A Crow Left of the Murder...</i> 2004 studio album by Incubus

A Crow Left of the Murder... is the fifth studio album by the American rock band Incubus, released on February 3, 2004. The album marks the first appearance of bassist Ben Kenney, following the departure of founding member Dirk Lance. The singles from the album are "Megalomaniac" and "Talk Shows on Mute". "Agoraphobia" was released as a promo single.

<i>Contraband</i> (Velvet Revolver album) 2004 studio album by Velvet Revolver

Contraband is the debut studio album by American hard rock band Velvet Revolver, released on June 8, 2004, by RCA Records. A commercial success, Contraband debuted at number one on the American Billboard 200 chart and was certified double platinum by the RIAA.

<i>Getting Away with Murder</i> (album) 2004 studio album by Papa Roach

Getting Away with Murder is the fourth studio album by American rock band Papa Roach. The album was a departure from the band's previous works, showcasing an alternative rock and hard rock sound instead of a nu metal and rap metal sound. Unlike their previous albums, the album features no rapping and instead only features Jacoby Shaddix singing. It was released on August 31, 2004, via Geffen Records and has been certified Gold in Canada, Silver in the United Kingdom and Platinum in the United States. Getting Away with Murder peaked at number 17 on the Billboard 200.

<i>How to Save a Life</i> (album) 2005 studio album by The Fray

How to Save a Life is the debut studio album by American alternative rock band The Fray. Released on September 13, 2005, by Epic Records, the album peaked within the top 15 of the Billboard 200 and was a top ten hit in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the UK. Its first two singles, "Over My Head " and "How to Save a Life", both became hit songs and led the band to mainstream recognition.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drive (Incubus song)</span> 2000 single by Incubus

"Drive" is a song by American rock band Incubus, released on November 14, 2000, as the third single from their third album, Make Yourself (1999). It is the band's biggest hit and breakthrough single, eventually reaching the top of the US Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart on March 3, 2001, and number nine on the Billboard Hot 100 on July 28, 2001. It also reached number four in Portugal, number 13 in New Zealand, number 34 in Australia, and number 40 in the United Kingdom. In 2001, "Drive" won a Billboard Award for Modern Rock Single of the Year. Director Bill Draheim documented the making of "Drive" in Save Me from My Half-Life Drive.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anna Molly</span> 2006 single by Incubus

"Anna Molly" is the lead single from Incubus's sixth album, Light Grenades. The single was released September 20, 2006, on the Sony Music Store almost a month before its scheduled release. However, it was soon withdrawn for unknown reasons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dig (Incubus song)</span> 2007 single by Incubus

"Dig" is the second single released by American rock band Incubus from their sixth studio album, Light Grenades (2006). Receiving huge airplay from alternative rock radio stations throughout the United States, "Dig" peaked at number four on the Modern Rock Tracks chart. On the Adult Top 40 chart, it reached number 17, while just breaking the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at #94. The song is featured in the 2009 music video game Lego Rock Band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Love Hurts (Incubus song)</span> 2008 single by Incubus

"Love Hurts" is the third single from Incubus' sixth album, Light Grenades, released in Europe and is the fourth U.S. single. The song received moderate airplay in European countries. The single was released for airplay in the United States over a year after the previous single, "Oil and Water", and nearly two years following the album's release. It became a surprise hit for the band in the U.S., topping the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, becoming their fourth song to do so. I

<i>Icky Thump</i> 2007 studio album by The White Stripes

Icky Thump is the sixth and final studio album by American rock duo The White Stripes, released through Warner Bros. and Third Man Records in June 2007, with XL Recordings handling the United Kingdom release. Its first release came on June 15, 2007, in Germany, with the release for the rest of Europe occurring on June 18 and the rest of the world on June 19.

<i>Monuments and Melodies</i> 2009 greatest hits album by Incubus

Monuments and Melodies is the first greatest hits compilation album by American rock band Incubus released on June 16, 2009, through Epic Records. It was released as a double-disc set, the first disc featuring 13 previously released singles from the albums Make Yourself, Morning View, A Crow Left of the Murder..., and Light Grenades, along with two new Brendan O'Brien–produced tracks, "Black Heart Inertia" and "Midnight Swim".

<i>If Not Now, When?</i> (album) 2011 studio album by Incubus

If Not Now, When? is the seventh studio album by American rock band Incubus, released on July 12, 2011 and named after the novel by Primo Levi. Preceded by the singles "Adolescents" and "Promises, Promises", the album represented the band's longest gap between studio albums at the time, and their final full-length release through long-time label Epic Records. Described by guitarist Michael Einziger as "a very straightforward, concise album," If Not Now, When? was recorded in the wake of an extended hiatus, and produced by frequent collaborator Brendan O'Brien. The album's cover features high wire artist Philippe Petit.

<i>8</i> (Incubus album) 2017 studio album by Incubus

8 is the eighth studio album by American rock band Incubus. It was released on April 21, 2017, through Island Records. The album takes its name from being the band's eighth LP. The release of 8 in 2017 saw the longest time between full-length albums for Incubus. The album was previously produced by Dave Sardy, and later re-produced and mixed by Skrillex, a close friend of the band. The album's first single, "Nimble Bastard", peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Songs chart in April 2017. 8 is the last studio album with bassist Ben Kenney before his departure in 2024.

References

  1. Katie Hasty, "Incubus' 'Grenades' Ignite At No. 1", Billboard, December 6, 2006.
  2. Chris Harris, "Incubus Find Explosive Cure For Boredom: Light Grenades", MTV, August 1, 2006
  3. "Driven by Incubus".
  4. Allmusic review
  5. "Reviews – Alternative Press". Alternative Press . Archived from the original on October 13, 2007. Retrieved October 8, 2007.
  6. "Blender - All Things Blender, All In One Place". Blender. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007.
  7. "Light Grenades - EW.com". Entertainment Weekly . Archived from the original on October 4, 2007. Retrieved February 14, 2007.
  8. 1 2 Foreman, Jon (December 7, 2006). "Incubus – Light Grenades".
  9. 1 2 3 "Music Reviews, Features, Essays, News, Columns, Blogs, MP3s and Videos – PopMatters". January 2, 2007.
  10. "rock-sound.net-rock sound Resources and Information". www.rock-sound.net. October 6, 2023.
  11. 1 2 "Light Grenades". Rolling Stone .
  12. "Spin review". Archived from the original on February 22, 2007.
  13. "Light Grenades Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic". Metacritic.com. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  14. "Beats per MinuteAlbum Review: Incubus - if Not Now, When? | BPM". onethirtybpm.com. Archived from the original on May 16, 2015. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  15. "Incubus - Light Grenades | Album Reviews". November 27, 2006.
  16. Aguila, Kap Maceda. "Incubus manifests itself in Manila". Philstar.com.
  17. "Incubus, 'Light Grenades' (Epic) - SPIN".
  18. "New Incubus album lacks creativity of previous works". The Daily Orange. November 27, 2006.
  19. "Incubus: Every album ranked from worst to best". Kerrang!. May 5, 2020.
  20. Stephen Hill (October 25, 2022). "Every Incubus album ranked from worst to best, by vocalist Brandon Boyd". louder.
  21. 1 2 3 4 5 "Incubus Chart History: Alternative Airplay". Billboard . Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  22. 1 2 3 4 "Incubus Chart History: Mainstream Rock". Billboard . Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  23. 1 2 3 "Incubus Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard . Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  24. MDP (July 7, 2007). "The Billboard Reviews: Singles". Billboard . Vol. 119, no. 27. p. 72. ISSN   0006-2510.
  25. Jonathan Cohen (November 29, 2008). "Something to 'Love'". Billboard . Vol. 120, no. 48. p. 44. ISSN   0006-2510.
  26. "Australiancharts.com – Incubus – Light Grenades". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  27. "Austriancharts.at – Incubus – Light Grenades" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  28. "Dutchcharts.nl – Incubus – Light Grenades" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  29. "Lescharts.com – Incubus – Light Grenades". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  30. "Offiziellecharts.de – Incubus – Light Grenades" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  31. "Irish-charts.com – Discography Incubus". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  32. "Italiancharts.com – Incubus – Light Grenades". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  33. "Charts.nz – Incubus – Light Grenades". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  34. "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  35. "Swisscharts.com – Incubus – Light Grenades". Hung Medien. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  36. "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  37. "Official Rock & Metal Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. December 3, 2006. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
  38. "Incubus Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  39. "Incubus Chart History (Top Rock Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  40. "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2007". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  41. "Top Rock Albums – Year-End 2007". Billboard. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  42. "Incubus Chart History: Canadian Hot 100". Billboard . Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  43. "Incubus Chart History: Adult Top 40". Billboard . Retrieved November 2, 2020.
  44. "Canadian album certifications – Incubus – Light Grenades". Music Canada.
  45. "British album certifications – Incubus – Light Grenades". British Phonographic Industry.
  46. "American album certifications – Incubus – Light Grenades". Recording Industry Association of America.