Customer Reviews

Fungus Amongus

5 star:		(66)
4 star:		(33)
3 star:		(11)
2 star:		(6)
1 star:		(7)

 

 

The first thing I liked about this CD, right off the bat, is that the record company didn't remaster any of the recordings. You have to turn up the dial a couple extra notches just to hear it properly. It's almost as if we are actually listening to Incubus playing in their basement, which is what makes this interesting. One thing you have to keep in mind is when this CD was made, Incubus were about my age (16) and were just starting out, and if you ask me, this is pretty damn good for a band THAT young.

The influences are very obvious on here--Primus, Faith No More and early Red Hot Chili Peppers (Mostly displayed on "Speak Free"). For fans of S.C.I.E.N.C.E., you will find yourself listening to "Take Me To Your Leader" the most, as I do. "Shaft" is another "stellar" song, and is one of Incubus' most energetic works out there. "Psychopsilocybin" is another standout, and yes, another song with that signature energetic vibe that Incubus possess, which most of the songs on here seem to have.

You must listen to this for what it is--a very very early recording of a young band. The problem with most of these reviewers is they are all stuck on "Make Yourself" and fail to realize that this is not a new recording, therefore cannot be expected to be as good as their newer stuff. If you like bands like Mr. Bungle or early (hed)p.e., you should really consider adding this gem to your collection.

Ah, yes. Funk-metal. A dying genre of music. It started with legendary albums like Blood Sugar..., and The Real Thing, and Sailing The Seas Of Cheese. Fungus Amongus does nothing but uphold those albums, and in many areas, surpasses them in superb musicianship, blistering assault, and complete and total all-out wackyness. Incubus recorded this when they were around 19 years old, but it doesn't really show in the music. Lyrics maybe. Some of the songs, like "The Answer," or the incredible "Take Me To Your Leader" are great foreshadowings of the rap-funk-metal to be seen on S.C.I.E.N.C.E, and other songs fully portray every bit of talent the band has, notably "Speak Free." Fans of Morning View, well, this album might go right over your head, because it is very different from the Incubus we know today. Brandon's voice is still in top form. To prepare for him here, listen to the song "Deep Inside." Fungus Amongus's songs are basically(or is it bassically?) rawer versions of that. The lyrics, although immature, are thought-provoking and downright hilarious at times, although laced with oodles of profanity. It's a bit of a wild card to buy this album, and it might take 6 months to a year for it to grow on you, but relax. A true Incubus fan NEEDS this one in their collection. It's worth it.

I read a few of the reviews before I started to write my own. It seems as if there is no middle ground on this record. It's either love or hate.

If you made me guess I would think that the band hates this CD. It's those old songs that you wrote years ago and so much has changed since then. But as a fan and one who enjoys something different, Fungus Amongus is a great CD to help fight off the mundane MTV malaise.

I have to tell you all that I found Incubus just like every other kid out there, on the radio, I don't have a story like, "I knew bob who went to high school with the lead singer and I have there first demo on tape." But I do genuinely like their music and their musical diversity.

One review said that you have to be too in love with Incubus to say that you like this CD, well I would say that you would have to be too in love with MTV to not like this CD.

If you like what you here out there on the radio and you also have Justin Timberlake in your CD collection DON'T BUY IT! If you like some flavor to your music and are willing to try something different then you may just love it

first, a disclaimer: i am not a big fan of anything that incubus released after enjoy. SCIENCE and MAKE YOURSELF are good albums, but not great like FUNGUS is. i am not a fan of modern mainstream rock, and thats all that this band had become by 1998. however, FUNGUS AMONGUS (along with the similar ENJOY! EP) is probably my favorite album of the 1990's. the sound the band had here is much different than that of their later recordings, and reviewers are not too far off by saying it is akin to PRIMUS, RHCP, and MR. BUNGLE all rolled into one (which is a direct quote from the liner notes of the disc, may I add). but there's more to it than that. its funky, heavy, and it flows along very well. mike's guitar leads are nothing to write home about in terms of technical aspects, but his tone and execution are incredible. dirk's slap bass reigns supreme as well. i'd compare this more to JAM BAND music than the "modern rock" incubus have become associated with these days. the feelgood, energetic vibe of the guitar lines, the tones of the instruments, the psychedelic feel of the whole thing, and the overall funkiness. sort of like, headseed-era MOE. mixed with a bit of PRIMUS for extra heaviness. but unlike most jam bands (MOST), INCUBUS aren't at all boring. the vibe is intense. these days, they are praised for their good looks and brandon boyd's pretentious, whiny, "introspective and deep" songwriting. and thats all they have anymore. but in 1996, they were just 4 stoned teenagers jamming out on some feel-good muzak about eating shrooms and girls with ants in their pink tacos (she shoulda worn underpants!). they carried this sound sooo well, they never should have gotten so serious about things because the loose, jammy vibe of this album is exactly what they are suited for. its just fun, trippy music that doesnt necessarily mean anything at all. its not going to make you think, and is best listened to after a hearty meal of psilocybin containing fungal growths. and its most definitely not a pretentious piece of modern art rock trash that teenage girls cry over, and scenesters find to be "deep" and "meaningful". this is the real incubus, folks, before they tried to prove something unidentifiable to the world.

This CD is truly a feat if you really stop and think about it. the band was 16 and already playing like this with an absolutely unique style. The musicianship is just astounding (and anyone who says otherwise, I defy you to sit down with a guitar or bass and play like that, I freakin dare you) and the vocals are funny, uplifting, and even kind of heavy in certain places. I think this and S.C.I.E.N.C.E are probably their best releases. A cool mix of punk, ska, funk, and a little metal.

Recorded in tha earlier 90's when tha guys of Incubus were in their teens, Fungus Amoungus has a funkier, thrashier sound than their newer CD's with influences from bands like RHCP and Primus. While admittedly tha lyrics at times don't make much sense, they're more fun and lightweight and Brandon has a distinct singing style that can switch from slow and melodious to fast without employing tha use of grunts or screams. Fungus is alot different than Make Yourself, fans who like Stellar, Drive, and tha likes, might be dissapointed by this cd. I think that its an incredible effort from Incubus considering how young they were and tha fact that they released it themselves originally, and it shows the progression of their style as they grow and matured.

I must say that this cd is an amazing peice of skill. Theres probably about maybe 5 bands out there that play their music with as much skill as incubus shows in this cd. I wouldnt recomend this cd to poser poppy kids who are only in to their more "radio-friendly" music. This cd shows what incubus is really all about. Every single instrument is played with amazing skill, each of them are obviously the best at what they do. I must say that wahat the person said before, and i quote - "Their skills are admittedly great for a bunch of sixteen-year-olds, but that doesn't mean the music is acceptable by any standards." Im sorry, but if you dont like this kinda music you have no place to criticize this cd. Their skills are "great for a bunch of 16yr olds"? Thats a little harsh, considering that i've been playing bass for years, including at least 10 yrs playin slap bass, and these songs still pose a challenge to me. The bass is phenomenal. Im really sad to hear that dirk left the band, but i can understand why. His type of music is in this cd, not in watered down radio-friendly simple basslines. I love science and make yourself and morning view also, but this one will always be my favorite.

This has to be Incubus's weakest release but i cant really blame them they were young when they produced it, and it is still a pretty decent album. some key songs are "Take Me To Your Leader" which is probably the best song on the album with crazy and unique lyrics and another good song is "you will be a hot dancer".

Ever listen to a CD and not like it at first, but then get used to it and see its brilliance? This is one of those CDs. This CD does NOT appeal to everyone. If you're an Incubus fan, be sure to pick this up, and if you like it, excellent, you have found a new variety of music that isn't put out often. If you're not an Incubus fan, then I recommend this CD even more to you than the hardcore Incubus fans. Those that don't like the new Incubus material, pick this up, you will be able to see how awesome it is more than the listeners of the new material can. This might actually get you into their music, and believe me, their music is true wonder. Their new stuff is excellent, some may say even to the point it is better than this. All their CDs are different, and this one doesn't fail to deliver. I recommend this CD as much as I do the new Incubus. There, I said it. People, if you haven't figured this review out by now, go and buy this CD, and, well, maybe you'll actually see beyond the madness and this CD will become your new favorite.

first of all, like i read somewhere else, comparing 'fungus amongus' to any of incubus' lp's (s.c.i.e.n.c.e., make yourself and morning view) is like comparing apples to oranges. unlike the band's lp's, which were carefuly conceived, featuring melodic sounds and very balanced vocals (even though there's a noticeable evolution in their music style), fungus amongus is a collection of the band's oldest recordings, which date from the early 90's, when they were high-school teenagers. a trashier sound, followed by funky rythims and loose lyrics are the best adjectives to describe this cd. although it seems to be a very relaxed collection of songs from a group of young boys who seemed to have a really good time recording them, the roots to what would be major albums can still be identified, for example, on a great performance by the lead singer brandon boyd whose vocal range is outstanding.

in sum, this collectin of incubus' early songs is surprisingly good (keeping in mind that the band members were very young when this was recorded) but *do not* expect this to be a follow up of their lp 'make yourself' like i heard and read too many times.