By: Maria Ciezak
For BiggerThanBeyonce.Com

Although I write about buckets of talent on BTB, no band compares to Incubus on my radar. I’ve longed for the day when I could write a review about my favorite artist that would be read by others, and the day has arrived. Not unworthy of review, it’s just that Incubus has been on a slight hiatus, and we try to keep things fresh for all you fine folks. A little birdie told me a few months back that lead singer Brandon Boyd was releasing a solo release; I was uncertain what to think. Was the band breaking up? Is Brandon exploring new options? Either way, I was intrigued. Brandon can brag of a music career that has lasted nearly twenty years, and it didn’t happen overnight, for even diamonds start as coal. Years translating into six albums, breathtaking art work, album covers, EP’s and DVDs. Can the man do wrong? I had the pleasure of receiving the album before it hits the shelves, and I have not turned it off all day. Work, car, and home, I am analyzing it, cover to cover, trying to find a word to describe how satisfied I am. He is what I call an artist in the truest sense of the word.

The album is entitled The Wild Trapeze. It’s hard for me to pick the perfect words to describe this album, for his work means so much to me, I don’t want it to be anything but perfect. So in this case, I’ll use his words to grab you. Brandon Boyd describes the origins of the album saying, “This group of songs was born of a very different process than the many my band and I have been employing for our almost two decades at work now. The Wild Trapeze began as pot induced meanderings on my dusty acoustic guitar while Incubus was off of the road, and has slowly been morphing into things that I originally could never have imagined.” An old soul, oozing pure musical bliss.

This album is personal. When I first gave it a spin I almost felt as if I was reading his diary. He wrote every word to every track and performed practically every instrument you hear. Although he could blow most solo artists out the water, don’t fret my pets, Incubus will be recording soon. However, this sounds nothing like the work of the group. Incubus has changed their style throughout the years and Brandon displays a noteworthy development in his guitar playing, as well as picking up essentially every other instrument. Brandon’s many whirlwinds of creativity in art and music takes the listener to places that you haven’t quite visited yet. As far as genre goes, the album is all over the place. It’s like looking at a puzzle; you know it will eventually become a whole, but each separate piece holds a strong significant meaning.

I tend to dream that Brandon is only singing his lyrics to me (hey, just because it’s not Team Edward or Jacob doesn’t mean it’s not allowed), but this record truly feels that way. Each song puts you face-to-face with your emotions in a mirror-like effect. Check out Runaway Train and A Night Without Cars, for these two will push you to jump onboard. A Los Angeles native, a Vegan sympathizer, an artist by day and come nightfall, my favorite singer in the world. Now, back to listening…

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