When Incubus hit mainstream rock, I dug em’. Recent albums like Make Yourself and S.C.I.E.N.C.E proved that incubus is a talented band, capable of outshining their competition.

Yet, like many bands, they were due to be knocked off their pedestal. Lead singer Brandon Boyd’s sexy stage presence caught the eyes of many teenage girls, gaining them new fans. Incubus lost my interest with the release of Morning View. Maybe I’m a drama queen when it comes to music but being associated with a sex appeal, the new fan base is embarrassing and construes terrible music taste.

Although, Morning View sold albums based on Boyd’s half-naked body, all bands do it. It can be difficult for musicians to showcase their music yet at the same time satisfy record label officials who want huge return on their investment.

Artists aren’t perfect; it is unfair to hold them to unbreakable standards. They should be entitled to have a flop now-and-then and still bounce back. Incubus bounced back.

Incubus’s newest singled, “Megalomaniac,” “sealed the deal. I could hardly wait for A Crow Left of the Murder to be released. This single along with “Sick Sad Little World” and “Priceless” remind me of those found on S.C.I.E.N.C.E, while songs like “Southern Girl” and “Made for TV Movie” take me back to Morning View.

Incubus has the tendency to mix up the mood on tracks.

Sometimes it’s upbeat with angry lyrics complimented by Boyd’s rusty voice and then all of a sudden shoots straight down with soft lyrics straight out of a diary. This roller-coaster pattern continues on A Crow Left of the Murder. Don’t offend the band. Buy this album.

5 stars (out of 5)

Ani DiFranco’s newly released Educated Guess, is just that – an educated guess.

I have a hard time understanding why the original bad-girl prophet went organic. Her new showcase of music is too raw and like the food -overrated and expensive.

Ani is one of the most hostile and expressive female artists of our time. She’s had the ability to continually distract and disorientate time and seem translucent, until now.

Educated Guess is so blas

In a society which creates injustices against its own people and its “mixed” race, Rabbit-Proof Fence paints a picture of Australia’s “stolen generation.”

In the 1930′s the Australian government feared the increasing population of its third race, the “half-caste.” This Social Darwinsim view created new laws, giving authorities legal power to abduct “half-caste” children from their families and relocate them thousands of miles away.

The Moore River Settlement was common ground for many of these children; here they were taught how to breed out their “black blood” and prepare for life in a white society. Government officials believed these laws would safeguard the Aboriginals and “protect the ‘half-caste’ from themselves.’”

These edicts were racist to the core, yet the Australian lawmakers believed the “half-caste” children would live a better life having been re-birthed in white culture.

In Rabbit-Proof Fence, three girls do not fall for the “favors” the government provides. Held captive by the authorities when stolen from their families, these young women are determined to return to their homeland, Jigalong.

Molly, the eldest and brightest of the three, guides her sister, Daisy, and cousin, Graicy, out of the Moore River Settlement on a rainy day. Molly knew the rain would wash away their tracks decreasing their chance of capture.

Australia’s rabbit proof fence is the longest fence in the world, stretching 1,500 miles. Its purpose is to aid farmer’s land from crop-eating rabbits. However, the fence’s hidden meaning doesn’t appear until Molly, Daisy and Graicy escaped. The rabbit proof fence is the key that will navigate them home.

Rabbit-Proof Fence It provides a brutal look at the tribulations the “half-caste.”

The film is part of the Films by and about Women series presented by the South Dakota Art Museum. Invocation: Maya Denen is the next film. It runs on Nov. 6 at 7:30p.m. Admission is $2 for SDSU students and $3 for non-students. Popcorn is free.

Maynard James Keenan of Tool takes his side-project, A Perfect Circle, a step further.

Two new-comers, Jeordie White, ex-bassist for Marylin Manson and James Iha, ex-guitarist for Smashing Pumpkins make their debut appearance in Thirteenth Step.

A Perfect Circle’s debut record, Mer de Noms, is bound with heavy, symphonic tracks like “3 Libras.” The success that from their pioneer album makes Thirteenth Step one of the most anticipated albums of the year.

With the addition of the new band members one would assume this album would triumph over Mer de Noms. However, this is not the case. If you are looking for a follow-up of Mer de Noms, you are not going to find it here. A Thirteenth Step steps back from the heavy and steps towards mellow-dramatic. Even so, the poetic darkness and self-reflection of lead singer, Maynard is still there.

Thirteenth Step is still a great album which encompasses you to dwell into your human psyche. Maynard and lead guitarist Billy Howerdel remain passionate about their work and their reputation of hitting each listener personaly is still evident.

The song, “Weak and Powerless,” is as heavy as the CD gets. Yet “The Noose,” “The Outsider,” and “Pet” are filled with moody lyrics and a beat that will send you right into a mental institution.

If you are a huge Mer de Noms fan- like me- you might feel a little short-changed with Thirteenth Step. However, if are over-whelmed with Mer de Noms , and are looking for the same taste, but on a lighter evel, Thirteenth Step is definitely the right album for you. If not, throw Mer de Noms into your stereo.