Incubus frontman releases album

A sound similar to Incubus with distinct outside influences is the best way to describe Brandon Boyd's debut solo album "The Wild Trapeze."

The lyrics, which are mildly ambiguous with some strange imagery, metaphorically speak about everything from problems within our society to various emotions almost everyone can relate to.

These metaphors use images from nature to help convey the simple yet deep meaning behind Boyd's lyrics. In addition, the lyrics discuss everything from being one with nature to cultural problems facing today's society.

Many of the tracks have the soothing and comforting instrumental style we have come to expect from Boyd paired with poetic and profound lyrics. The feel is relatively relaxed and similar to many Incubus songs — the band for which Boyd has been the frontman since 1991.

The first single from the album, "Runaway Train," discusses wanting to "get away from it all" and doing what makes you happy, as opposed to what you feel or what society tells you that you have to do.

The most relevant song for students is "Courage and Control," the only acoustic song on the CD. The track speaks of letting go, relaxing, going with the flow and being yourself, all of which require "courage and control, but you start by letting go;" this is particularly important during the college years, a time when people discover who they are.

A reference to the biblical tale of Jonah and the Whale is made in "Last Night a Passenger." The verses tell of a dream where Boyd is swallowed by a whale. He then discusses feelings of being lost and loss of control when life is determined by fate.

"Here Comes Everyone" is one of the best songs on the album. The song discusses current social problems including diminishing resources and unfortunate cultural mentalities. "Fast food fed and god-fearing; All panic and alarms, alarming…; What if everyone, simultaneously disobeys? It ain't a game if no one plays."

Boyd goes on to address censorship in the media with "Revenge of the Spectral Tiger." He mentions a "gilded cage" that we are trapped in and relates it to the unwillingness of the public to seek the truth about what is going on in the world as well as their lack of recognition of any problem concerning that issue.

One song stood out from the rest, not because it was necessarily better, but because of its style. "All Ears Avow" is in stark contrast with the rest of the album because of its 90's punk rock sound. Lyrics like, "A generation of intellectual amputees; Assimilation; Conformity; As drops in a once half-empty cup" not only maintain the theme of bringing cultural problems to light, but they are also reminiscent of antiestablishment sentiment popular during the era.

In true indie/punk fashion, Boyd seemed to shy away from the mainstream by releasing the first single online, June 21, and the album electronically, July 6 — it debuted at 33 on the Billboard 200 chart.

In addition, the album appears to be difficult to find in stores. However, it can be found online on iTunes for $9.99. Fans can also listen for free to what has been leaked onto Youtube.com. Hard copies can also be found for purchase online via a variety of vendors.