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.

7 of 7 found the following review helpful:


4 Stars...No, No, Gotta Give It Five  Apr 16, 2002 By Nicholas Alla Koholick "anonymousnick2001"
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.

6 of 6 found the following review helpful:


One of the best...  Sep 28, 2003 By CJ Henley
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

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:


A generally fun CD  Dec 06, 2004 By Dark lord of all that is itchy
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.

4 of 4 found the following review helpful:


too bad they'd stray far away from this sound by S.C.I.E.N.C.E.  May 23, 2006 By this kid
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.

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