Incubus- today's Soundgarden?

12345AGNST1 · January 2010

I was just thinking about this the other day, now before I get totally flamed for this think about it.

1. Both bands have a completely unique sound that was very genre pushing. Name any band that sounds like Incubus and name any band that sounds like Soundgarden.

2. Both bands have a totally unique and amazing singer. (sure Cornell is way better in terms of power, but they both have ridiculously amazing voices)

3. They evolved as a band pretty much the same way.
Screaming life/fop=fungus amongus (heavy, dirty, angry youth)
Ultra Mega OK=SCIENCE (still heavy and dirty, but a little more mature and better)
Badmotorfinger=Make yourself/Morningview (both albums broke them into the mainstream [morningview for Incubus] and both have a more evolved sound to them)
Superunknown-DOTU= A crow left in the mirror and up (a totally more evolved sound compared to their past.)

This is just my opinion, but I always kinda considered Incubus a modern day Soundgarden. Hell even listen to this Incubus song and tell me it doesn't sound like the beginning of a song from Down on the Upside:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf4AnaSMHHI

facepollution · January 2010

I get what you are saying, but to me Soundgarden were always a much darker kind of band, and that was their identity for me. Incubus have always been a more uplifting kind of band to me, expecially lyrically.

I guess their progression has been similar though, just not really very comparable musically to me.

stateoflove79 · January 2010

Totally agree with the point of this post, but as someone else said...very different styles of rock.

dcfaithful · January 2010

I can also see the logic in your comparison as far as their career and progression goes...but musically they are two different animals.

12345AGNST1 · January 2010

Im surprised I havent been bashed yet lol. They are very different in terms of their actual music yes, but they're evolution and genre pushing sounds make me think of them as similar bands.

dcfaithful · January 2010

12345AGNST1 wrote:

Im surprised I havent been bashed yet lol. They are very different in terms of their actual music yes, but they're evolution and genre pushing sounds make me think of them as similar bands.

I agree with you on their evolution and innovation...

and for the record, you're obviously an experienced poster being prepared to get crucified...I've braced myself many times before, lol.

DewieCox · January 2010

Career paths, but not much else.

Soundgarden sounds like a band totally in control of what they wanna do. Incubus sounds like they've had one too many record execs in the studio with them.

The vocalist thing is a stretch. They shouldn't even be in the same conversation. When Boyd goes for the power vox it's always the same thing. Cornell can do more things vocally than anybody this side of Freddie Mercury.

I wouldn't say either band has a highly original sound, but they both do a pretty good job of masking their influences.

When you get to the album comparisons is where I get totally lost here. Incubus started out with their best music, went pop/got worse.....Soundgarden got to their best pretty early on, and kept puttin out solid albums.

facepollution · January 2010

I guess I've always seen Soundgarden as this really unique band, there haven't really been many soundalike bands. Whereas Incubus have had other bands like Hoobastank, and others following in their footsteps. I'm not explaining myself very well here.......I just see Incubus as an upbeat all round rock band, but Soundgarden are like this huge enigmatic behemoth!

I do like Incubus a lot though, they've really changed up their sound over the years. They put on a great live show too.

tcaporale · January 2010

DewieCox wrote:

When you get to the album comparisons is where I get totally lost here. Incubus started out with their best music, went pop/got worse.....

Disagree with this. I think that their early material was basically a combination of rap-rock and post grunge, and really didn't separate itself from the pack. Make Yourself still has a post grunge feel to it but the band's inclusion of guitar atmospherics and their decision to tone their music down and focus on songwriting helped the band reach a wider audience, and showcased the vocal talents of Boyd much better. Morning View is their best album, featuring their strongest songwriting and guitarwork... it truly contains some beautiful songs, such as "Aqueous Transmission". A Crow Left of the Murder was very interesting, largely consisting of heavy rock songs, it was like an amalgamation of their early work and the atmospherics presented on Morning View, and if you don't think the band is good at their instruments check out "Sick Sad Little World" or "Priceless". Light Grenades was a bit of a step down lyrically, but the focus on pop music showcased the band's songwriting chops.

spnoone · January 2010

12345AGNST1 wrote:

1. Both bands have a completely unique sound that was very genre pushing. Name any band that sounds like Incubus

incubus sounded so much like a faith no more ripoff when i first heard them that i vowed never to listen again. not to be a jerk, but it was even more obvious than stp stealing from alice and pj. was what i heard the exception to the rule?

DewieCox · January 2010

spnoone wrote:

12345AGNST1 wrote:

1. Both bands have a completely unique sound that was very genre pushing. Name any band that sounds like Incubus

incubus sounded so much like a faith no more ripoff when i first heard them that i vowed never to listen again. not to be a jerk, but it was even more obvious than stp stealing from alice and pj. was what i heard the exception to the rule?

STP didn't really steal from AIC or PJ, though. I'll admit they changed their style a bit, from what they initially were(see Mighty Joe Young demoes), but they have their own sound. The DeLeo brothers have their shit together, probably as much as any popular band from the 90s. Those guys really know their stuff from a musical standpoint. I see where you are coming from, it's just doesn't hold much weight.

I can't comment on the Faith No More comparison, but I hear some Radiohead/U2 similarities, with Incubus.

tcaporale · January 2010

On a bit of a related note, the riff to "Made for TV Movie" sounds just like "All Those Yesterdays".

facepollution · January 2010

spnoone wrote:

12345AGNST1 wrote:

1. Both bands have a completely unique sound that was very genre pushing. Name any band that sounds like Incubus

incubus sounded so much like a faith no more ripoff when i first heard them that i vowed never to listen again. not to be a jerk, but it was even more obvious than stp stealing from alice and pj. was what i heard the exception to the rule?

Yeah you should check out their later stuff, they sound a lot different. They were really young when they started out so it took them a while to find their feet.

I've gotta say that STP thing you mentioned is a complete misconception. STP were originally called Mighty Joe Young and they recorded a demo tape around 1990 that had a few of the songs from Core on it, and they sounded pretty much the same. I think they were signed because of they way they sounded. Weiland was really influenced by Jim Morrison and so was Vedder (from what I've read) hence why they both have a similar sound.

spnoone · January 2010

DewieCox wrote:

STP didn't really steal from AIC or PJ, though. I'll admit they changed their style a bit, from what they initially were(see Mighty Joe Young demoes), but they have their own sound. The DeLeo brothers have their shit together, probably as much as any popular band from the 90s. Those guys really know their stuff from a musical standpoint. I see where you are coming from, it's just doesn't hold much weight.

I can't comment on the Faith No More comparison, but I hear some Radiohead/U2 similarities, with Incubus.

i'm certainly not an expert on stp (or incubus, so i'll shut up after this), it's probably just that sex type thing arrived on mtv shortly after facelift hit and it was just too similar for me, turned me off. i'm probably wrong. and i'm completely and unfairly inconsistent and hypocritical about bands stealing other bands sounds. sometimes it rubs me wrong, and i dismiss them like i did anything remotely industrial after nin stole from ministry. other times i let it go, like... some of pablo honey sounded so much like u2 that i expected them to sue, but i didn't stop listening to them. and steve earle's amerika v6.0 steals jumpin jack flash so blatantly it's comical and that didn't bother me.

and facepollution, i don't doubt i was wrong. they probably did just interpret similar influences in similar ways. and even if i was right, everybody steals, ed can be such a daltrey wannabe at times that they almost have to do who covers to acknowledge it. now i'm going back to shutting up.

facepollution · January 2010

Well I'd hate to think that such a misconception could stop someone listening to a band who have a pretty damn impressive back catalogue. Go and cleanse yourself with some Tiny Music - no AIC or Pearl Jam to be found there!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIQf_3Cw6Q4

12345AGNST1 · January 2010

tcaporale wrote:

DewieCox wrote:

When you get to the album comparisons is where I get totally lost here. Incubus started out with their best music, went pop/got worse.....

Disagree with this. I think that their early material was basically a combination of rap-rock and post grunge, and really didn't separate itself from the pack. Make Yourself still has a post grunge feel to it but the band's inclusion of guitar atmospherics and their decision to tone their music down and focus on songwriting helped the band reach a wider audience, and showcased the vocal talents of Boyd much better. Morning View is their best album, featuring their strongest songwriting and guitarwork... it truly contains some beautiful songs, such as "Aqueous Transmission". A Crow Left of the Murder was very interesting, largely consisting of heavy rock songs, it was like an amalgamation of their early work and the atmospherics presented on Morning View, and if you don't think the band is good at their instruments check out "Sick Sad Little World" or "Priceless". Light Grenades was a bit of a step down lyrically, but the focus on pop music showcased the band's songwriting chops.

I agree with tcaporale.... Incubus sounds MUCH better now than they did in the past. They evolved so much more as musicians. I dont even really like SCIENCE all that much and Fungus Amongus is pretty mediocre. Its also similar with Soundgarden for me.

Check out this song from Incubus, its one of their "newer" songs and is freakin ridiculous. Much better than anything off SCIENCE.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OUSoSTaLRkI

tcaporale · January 2010

I think you mean you disagree with Dewey.

dcfaithful · January 2010

Make Yourself and Morning View. Easily the best efforts from Incubus.

Is it me though, or does anybody else get sick of Brandon Boyd sometimes? :?

12345AGNST1 · January 2010

tcaporale wrote:

I think you mean you disagree with Dewey.

oops, read the quote wrong...

Ledbetterman10 · January 2010

12345AGNST1 wrote:

1. Both bands have a completely unique sound that was very genre pushing. Name any band that sounds like Incubus and name any band that sounds like Soundgarden.

While I think Soundgarden has a distinct sound that is their own...I can't call them unique because I've always made the following comparison:

- Led Zeppelin
- Van Halen (Party version of Led Zeppelin formed in a sunny city)
- Soundgarden (Depressing version of Led Zeppelin formed in a gloomy city)

Right? Sorta I guess.

DiRtyFranK38 · January 2010

12345AGNST1 wrote:

I was just thinking about this the other day, now before I get totally flamed for this think about it.

1. Both bands have a completely unique sound that was very genre pushing. Name any band that sounds like Incubus and name any band that sounds like Soundgarden.

2. Both bands have a totally unique and amazing singer. (sure Cornell is way better in terms of power, but they both have ridiculously amazing voices)

3. They evolved as a band pretty much the same way.
Screaming life/fop=fungus amongus (heavy, dirty, angry youth)
Ultra Mega OK=SCIENCE (still heavy and dirty, but a little more mature and better)
Badmotorfinger=Make yourself/Morningview (both albums broke them into the mainstream [morningview for Incubus] and both have a more evolved sound to them)
Superunknown-DOTU= A crow left in the mirror and up (a totally more evolved sound compared to their past.)

This is just my opinion, but I always kinda considered Incubus a modern day Soundgarden. Hell even listen to this Incubus song and tell me it doesn't sound like the beginning of a song from Down on the Upside:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf4AnaSMHHI

totally see what you're saying man. cool observation. i actually have thought about this myself before too. i also fucking LOVE these 2 bands. funny you bring this up. my top 4 bands go:
1.) pearl jam 2.) soundgarden 3.) incubus 4.) red hot chili peppers.

anyways, i also agree that both bands grew so much musically as time went on. down on the upside is arguably soundgarden's best album. although, with incubus its kinda tough for me to choose my favorite. though they did grow musically since fungus amungus, i think all their albums are amazing and extremely consistent, though very different from each other. my favorite MAY be a crow left of the murder. soundgarden on the other hand, though i do love everything they've done, badmotorfinger and on is MILES better then pre-badmotorfinger. and even louder than love is miles better than ultramega and screaming life/fopp.

as for the singer bit, i agree 100%. obviously cornell is technically WAAAY better and can do nearly anything, but brandon boyd still has an extremely unique voice that really is amazing.

Incubus- today's Soundgarden?

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