A Ghost Is Born: Incubus In Lisbon

Memory is a tricky thing. I can't recall what I ate for dinner last week (well, aside from the fact that it was dorm food), but I still remember the first episode of TRL (yes, that TRL) I watched. Well, scratch that, I couldn't tell you the guests, or what Carson Daly-fueled antics occurred that particular afternoon, but one video that sticks out is Incubus' "Stellar." Its visual inventiveness, coupled with vaguely romantic subject matter - yearning without being angst-ridden - all over a solid rock foundation remains pretty appealing to this day. That was about seven years ago, and since, Incubus has emerged to become one of the more popular bands, at least in their quasi-mainstream niche. Their latest album, the strangely familiar-looking Light Grenades, just came out last year, but to be honest, I don't plan on hearing it anytime soon.

Admittedly, I've developed a bit of an aversion towards so-called mainstream groups. It's not elitism (really!); I guess I just find pleasure in discovering the obscure. But still, these guys are worth a listen. The live setting isn't necessarily the greatest environment for the group, depending on what you're more interested in. Although there's plenty of energy here, some of the subtlety is diminished. If you like what you hear below, I also recommend checking out the downright sublime "Aqueous Transmission," as well as the studio version of the Orwellian "Talk Shows On Mute." And finally, this show was recorded on June 4th, 2004 in Lisbon, Portugal.

Enjoy:

1. Megalomaniac
2. Nice To Know You
3. Idiot Box
4. Just A Phase
5. Wish You Were Here
6. Priceless
7. Pistola
8. Vitamin
9. Take Me To Your Leader
10. Drive
11. Talk Shows On Mute
12. Under My Umbrella
13. Sick Sad Little World
14. Certain Shade of Green
15. A Crow Left of the Murder

Make Yourself: Here