A Crow Left Of The Murder

Good

Love this album!

if you like incubus, this is one of their best; great cd

great product

Incubus have obviously grown slightly weary of the sunny sound that made them so popular. 'A Crow Left Of The Murder' is rawer, more organic and substantially darker than the shining optimism of 'Morning View', as if the titles alone were not an indication ('Agoraphobia', 'Sick Sad Little World', etc.). Also, while their change in sound is not the level of say, Cave In, Incubus have altered (but don't be mistaken into thinking this is a return to the maniacal Mike Patton-isms of 'S.C.I.E.N.C.E.'). Whereas before DJ Kilmore would simply scratch away, he now layers sound, often to stunning effect ('Beware! Criminal' & 'Talk Shows On Mute'), while guitarist and Art Garfunkel-lookalike Mike Einziger has let the flashes of genius he had shown on previous releases flourish, especially on the gorgeous final three minutes of 'Sick Sad Little World'. Brandon Boyd, meanwhile, has progressed lyrically, as he proves on the twisted 'Zee Deveel' and the despairing verses of 'Made For TV Movie', and a new bassist (Ben Kenney, stolen from genius hip-hop crew The Roots) seems to have worked wonders, and it shows on the punk-metal of 'Pistola' and the title-track. Pushing further out is the aching 'Here In My Room' and the aforementioned 'Sick Sad Little World', a piano-infused psychedelic amalgamation of all the best points of 'A Crow Left Of The Murder'.Incubus were obviously not going to reproduce 'Make Yourself' or 'S.C.I.E.N.C.E.' (or 'Megalomaniac' fourteen times over, which is seemingly what many of the other reviewers seem to want), and those that were expecting it are evidently the ones who will be disappointed. While 'A Crow Left Of The Murder' is obviously a great step forward for the band, they are not fully evolved quite yet. On occasion they feel the need to repeat themselves (the album could almost have been perfect had the below-average 'Megalomaniac' and 'Leech' not been included), but once these problems are resolved, by the next album we should be looking at a very different Incubus.

Being a pretty big Incubus fan (have all the bootlegs, including the excellent 'enjoy incubus'), I was very pleased to get my hands on an advance copy of this CD.First of all, in keeping with Incubus' approach to making their new albums, their are hints of new musical direction here, while keeping the distinctive styles of such a diverse band.Out of all the incubus albums though, this is the one I have been looking forward to the least and that is because of the leaving of one of their founding members - bassist Dirk Lance - who left the band last year. On first listens it certainly seemed that my suspicions had some truth in them. Admittedly opening track 'meglomaniac' is a brilliant starter, but the rest of the album is most definitely not a grabber, so those expecting another 'make yourself' or 'morning view' are likely to be disappointed. However 'megolmaniac' is a glorious opener, a track that bridges the gulf between 'morning view' and this new release. The always colourful palette of guitarist Mike Einzigers playing is very evident here, as is Brandon Boyd's howling vocals (You're not Jesus, You're no f**king Elvis he screams in what is one of the best anti- bush songs I've heard in a while).After that the album seems to settle into a much more gentle rhythm, though that is not to say it is anything but quiet. bass lines rumble over some superb improvisation by Einziger and drummer Jose, whose latin-flavoured drums are as welcome here as ever. Highlights are difficult to pick out, but 'Southern Girl' is a warm track in a similar vein to 'Echo' from the last album, while 'Agorophobia'is almost hypnotical in its simple rhythm.It could be said that the album lags a bit towards the end and certainly in comparison to their early material that seems to be the case, but final track 'leech' is full of exotic work and a very strong closing track. It is interesting therefore, that INcubus, who have constantly been accused of 'selling out', have produced such an understated and uneasy album. And for that, they should surely be commended very highly.

I hated this album when I first heard it; I was disappointed and furious about what seemed a huge jump backwards. Unfortunately I'd already bought tickets to see Incubus so I felt obliged to listen a little bit. In my listening and at the gig last night, I discovered some gems. Here in my room was incredible live, and is now one of my favourites Incubus songs - its up there with Drive and the almost untouchable Anti-Gravity. I always loved Talk shows on mute, zee deveel has a great ploddy (it isn't but I cant think of a better word :-( ) undercurrent, Sick sad little word is genius, and megalomaniac is pure adrenaline. Do not dismiss this album, as I very nearly did, it does have sparkly spots. I'm off to find some more.

There are a few good tracks on this album, the rest id just filler, im not too keen on it as an whole album. it feels as if they are trying to regain some of their past glory with this one being a bit more heavy in places but the opener 'megalomaniac' just doesn't work it almost seem ironic toward Brandon Boyd as his political statement sounds like a mockery of itself. perhaps its the loss of their previous bassist that makes this incoherent sounds. the good tracks are 'A Crow Left Of The murder','Sick sad little world' 'smile lines' and 'here in my room' which is the best track and shows some promise.Patchy and misses the mark, not up to their usually excellent standards but still quite good 'morning view' is still their best though.