S.C.I.E.N.C.E. is the second album by the Americanrock bandIncubus, released on September 9, 1997 by Epic Records. The album has been certified Gold by the RIAA. It has been mentioned by various band members that the acronym S.C.I.E.N.C.E. stands for Sailing Catamarans Is Every Nautical Captain's Ecstasy. "Sometimes we just sit around and come up with these for laughs. In other words, there's not just one meaning, it's just food for thought," says singer Brandon Boyd. This is the first and only studio album to feature DJ Lyfe.
Production
After releasing their independent debut albumFungus Amongus, Incubus signed a seven-record deal with Sony-affiliated Immortal Records. Their first full-length major label effort S.C.I.E.N.C.E. was recorded during May–June 1997. Singer Brandon Boyd said "S.C.I.E.N.C.E. was done in six weeks in a very small, charming studio in Santa Monica. Very different experience, but very important on this band's existence."
Critics wrote favorably of the album's diverse style. Pitchfork state that Incubus "successfully combines all sorts of without sounding like a mess". AllMusic reviewer David Thomas wrote that "The numerous styles on the album don't always blend perfectly, but they create a solid sound that defines the band. Incubus also manages to make their songs upbeat and danceable as well as tunes to headbang to. An admirable feat in a genre that tends to reward decibel levels instead of quality." Drop-D Magazine reviewer Darren Kerr praised the album's incorporation of turntablism and trip hop. Kerr also noted similarities between Faith No More, writing "I would not dispute that Brandon of the Jungle's evil-lounge-singer-morphing-into-teeth-gnashing-maniac vocal style is emulative of Mike Patton. I also would not argue that a couple of these songs would not sound out of place alongside FNM tracks like 'Caffeine' or 'The Gentle Art of Making Enemies'. However, guitarist Michael Einzinger and bassist Alex Katunich are mining a groove vein uniquely their own." VH1 ranked the album tenth on their 2015 list of "The 12 Most Underrated Nu Metal Albums". In 2020, Louder Sound listed it as being one of the best metal albums released between 1996 and 1997.
