Ask any 'true' Incubus fan (pre-Morning View followers), which album they believe is their best (not favorite), and I am confident that the consensus would be S.C.I.E.N.C.E. While I believe each album is different, making them difficult to compare, I think their best work lies in the afore mentioned album. Yet NONE of the songs from this album made the all-star lineup (besides the acoustic remake). The only albums with representatives on this CD are: Make Yourself, Morning View, A Crow Left of the Murder, & Light Grenades. Whereas; Enjoy Incubus, Fungus Amongus, & S.C.I.E.N.C.E. apparently failed to produce any songs worthy of recognition. I think the greatest tragedy of this album is the presence of the song 'Love Hurts,' and I may be alone on this, but this was probably the least impressive song Incubus has recorded, and seeing it on their greatest hits CD is mind-boggling.
The selected tracks are predictable to say the least, with 'Are You In?' as the lone exception. The only real appeal of the album lies on the second disc, which is where you will find the B-Side tracks which hadn't been released to the public (at least not officially). As I listened through the unfamiliar tracks, I found myself enjoying what I was hearing, the tracks were, in face, quite 'melodic' as the title of the album indicates. Brandon Boyd's vocals continued to impress me as they have remained a constant throughout the bands career. However, with such intoxicating harmonies, it is easy to allow the real substance of the lyrics pass through us, without actually hearing the words. It seems that upon discovering the success of such tracks as 'love hurts' and 'diamonds and coal' the guys realized at some point that by making the lyrics easily accessible - more people will listen! Both of these songs are as complex as anything you'll hear on the radio, and while these rarities prove to be aesthetically pleasing, they pick up where Light Grenades left off by offering little to no substance.
The title of the album is creative, and works well with the layout of the tracks. And I cannot argue that the tracks on the first disc aren't 'monuments', however what each of these songs signify as an achievement by the band, is up for debate. While statistically we may see each song reach a higher spot on the Billboard chart, we also witness another step away from the music that once drew us in initially. I now see why tracks from S.C.I.E.N.C.E. and Fungus Amongus had been left off - they do not fit into the theme of accessibility that the others provide. I am a big fan of both Morning View and Make Yourself, so do not think I am bashing these albums - I simply see the track selection as a simple math equation where someone decided: proven success (simplest/most recognizable songs) + something new but not alienating (B-Sides) + a pretty package (Monuments and Melodies) = highest revenues. And it's sad that Incubus has allowed they're music to transform into this. It's difficult to believe the same group is responsible for Monuments and Melodies as well as Fungus Amongus.
It's been difficult to watch one of my favorite bands steadily decline and drift away from the edgy, experimental, rebellious band I once admired so dearly. However, there is still an intrinsic value that Incubus possesses - Brandon's vocals cannot be denied, Jose's drumming (while not apparent in recent albums) is effortless and captivating, and Kilmore's style has the ability to set the band apart from any rival among their genre. If only these traits were left untamed instead of being subdued by the desire for fame. One can only imagine what this compilation album would contain had the boys from Calabasas taken the road less traveled.
6/10
