Customer Reviews

A Crow Left of the Murder

5 star:		(235)
4 star:		(142)
3 star:		(62)
2 star:		(43)
1 star:		(62)

 

 

I wrote this review for a Literature class at school.
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Many mainstream listeners will know of the Southern Californian band Incubus only for their pop-rock radio hits Drive and Wish You Were Here. The band has much more to offer, however, and prove this once again with their latest studio release A Crow Left of the Murder. Yet again Incubus has lived up to guitarist Mike Einziger's rock and roll philosophy that "if you make the same record twice, even if everyone likes it, you've failed." It is Incubus' admirable ability to reinvent itself with each record that keeps the hardcore fans coming back for more.

For this latest effort, they worked with critically acclaimed producer Brendan O'Brien of Rage Against the Machine, Soundgarden and Pearl Jam fame. The influence of O'Brien is clearly heard on A Crow Left of the Murder, with the album managing to capture the raw energy and sound of a live show, without sounding messy or under-produced. The lyrical content of the songs is also reminiscent of Rage and Pearl Jam, but whether or not this can be attributed to O'Brien or simply the current political climate is debatable.

The opening track and first single, Megalomaniac, is a politically charged rocker that has front man Brandon Boyd calling out to George W. Bush and co. `Hey megalomaniac/You're no Jesus/Yeah you're no f***in Elvis/Wash your hands clean of yourself baby and/Step down, step down'. While Megalomaniac breaks little new ground for Incubus, it is the perfect way to bridge the gap between the group's previous release, Morning View(2001) and A Crow Left of the Murder.

While the first five tracks of A Crow Left of the Murder threaten but never quite explode, it is only when we reach track six, Sick Sad Little World, that the potential Incubus had been hinting at with the previous tracks is finally realised. Sick Sad Little World is a six and a half minute rock-funk odyssey and quite possibly the best song Incubus has written over its thirteen year career, combining a signature Mike Einziger guitar riff with intricate drumming, a killer bass line, ample atmosphere from the turntables and Boyd crooning about a character who could quite possibly be based on departing bassist Dirk Lance. `The world is a drought when out of love/Please come back to us/You're all of the above/"I'm making a choice to be out of touch, leave me be" he said/"Leave me here in my stark raving sick sad little world!"' The song is completed with a two minute Einziger solo reminiscent of Jimi Hendrix, moving from haunting and intricate to just plain crazy.

A Crow Left of the Murder seems to be a fusion of Incubus' former efforts, and the most obvious reminder of this is track nine, Priceless, which could have been lifted straight off the 1997 release S.C.I.E.N.C.E. While not a personal favourite, the almost schizophrenic guitar riff and rap-rock singing style, as well as yet another masterful Einziger solo will appeal to fans of Incubus' earlier works.

Not all the tracks on A Crow Left of the Murder are hard rockers, however. Southern Girl is a love-sick ballad that sees Boyd lamenting `You're an exception to the rule/A bonafide rarity/You're all I ever wanted/Southern girl/Could you want me?' The band also explore the softer side of things with the experimental track Here In My Room, incorporating a piano for the first time in any Incubus release.

A Crow Left of the Murder bubbles with social and political commentary, with Boyd voicing his opinions most prominently on America's involvement in the war on Iraq in a cryptic, poetic manner, as well as a few tracks which could be written about Incubus' previous bassist, Dirk Lance, who left the band shortly after the conclusion of the Morning View tour at the end of 2002. Replacement bassist Ben Kenney, formerly of the Roots, joined the band for the Lollapalooza tour (2003) and proves himself to be more than competent on A Crow Left of the Murder.

The element that appears to be missing from A Crow Left of the Murder is the scratching provided by turntablist DJ Kilmore. While he provides ample atmosphere and interesting sound effects, the absence of the scratching heard on S.C.I.E.N.C.E, Make Yourself (1999) and to a lesser extent Morning View will be a disappointment to many hardcore Incubus fans.

A Crow Left of the Murder is from start to finish a sonic journey that will please most current Incubus fans and no doubt convert a few mainstream rock listeners to the more experimental sound of a band who refuses to bow to public pressure when writing their music. It doesn't quite live up to the brilliance of the breakthrough album Make Yourself, but A Crow Left of the Murder does a hell of a job in trying.

As Boyd appropriately asks in the final track, Leech, `The ride's over/Did you enjoy yourself?'

I certainly did.

Wow, This cd is amazing. A complete cultral blast of sorts. I love Incubus and all their forms. I've seen them, sadly only once, during the crow left of murder tour, when the guys graciously visited Philedelphia at the wac. Sick show. This is a great record, and my personal favorite.

MEGOLAMANIAC
The uncompromised, unruley, political bash, that is the album opener, blasts through your eardrums at an amazing rate, ditchotomizing it's time between the melodic verse, and the thrashy chorus. Hardcore song, Amazing.

A CROW LEFT OF THE MURDER
With the melotic, wistful second track comes a pleasent vibration of song. Good, but not the best.

AGORAPHOBIA
With the soulfull observation of discomfort, Brandon sings of the governments control. "I don't wanna stay inside, for good"

TALK SHOWS ON MUTE
A soical comment on the state of the species, possibly, but a good song none the less. Seems as an odd choice of a single, if you ask me.

BEWARE!CRIMINAL
Unadulturated funky bliss of song, this is Beware!Criminal. Sick Rock song...Great!!!!!!!!!!!

SICK SAD LITTLE WORLD
Anger could never be so beatiful. Brandon bellows his heart over Mike's riprockin guitar. The lyrics are great, and the music is executed to perfect, bravo!!

PISTOLA
Hard rock at it's finest!! Great message here. Violence may solve nothing, but words have a way fight the power!!

SOUTHERN GIRL
Love masks the air, in this beatiful airy ballad.

PRICELESS
Ahh, the sweet scent of revenge occupies this lyrical assault. Finnaminal drum work here. Dude, I can't spell.

ZEE DEVEEL
Materialism is wrong, I reiterate in my nike sneakers, as I sip Pepsi. Great Message. Amazing lyrics, blasted forth with a raw emotion over a combination of technical brillance. My favorite song on the disc, just plain great.

MADE FOR TV MOVIE
To me this is just adverage, I mean its a good song but doesn't fit the cirtiria of it's peers.

SMILE LINES
Good upbeat song with an awrkward capability of genious.

HERE IN MY ROOM
OOOO, He's talkin' about sex. Good song. Some desent mtaphors, accompany the beatiful piano and reddundant preccusion.

LEECH
Thats right, an angery assault finishes the beatiful album. Good song, very true. Screw the posers, Screw me.

Great album, Comendible effort!!

What is this nonsense I keep reading about the album being bad? In what way is it possibly bad? Yes, it is vastly different to S.C.I.E.N.C.E, but great bands grow and evolve just like all good things. So I'm gonna try and defend the changes here.

Ben Kenny: You may have loved Dirk Lance, he was a fantastic bassist. However, Ben Kenny is a better musician (shown to the full on the DVD, "Alive at the Red Rocks"). He adds a totally new dimension to Incubus because he manages to create brand new chords and sonic ambience. Incubus have always been about experimentation, especially live. Ben Kenny adds to that in a way which I don't think Dirk Lance ever did.

DJ Kilmore: Stop having a go at him! Just because he doesn't do scratching all the time doesn't mean he's not doing anything! He works to create a scope which you would notice quite a lot if it weren't there.

Brandon: He's writing catchy lyrics so people say he's sold out. WTF? I'm sorry, but why, every time a band starts writing better songs, which more people will like, do all these narrow minded idiots come out the woodwork to insult original, effective, quality work?

The mix: It's not overproduced, like so much is today. So what you get on the album is what you here live. It's fantastic! What you'e hearing is Incubus playing, not loads of effects and compression.

The songs: are great. They aren't bad. How are they bad? I've read that they all sound the same. Well they don't - in fact, I don't know too many more albums as diverse as this. All the songs on Fungus Amongus sound the same - don't get me wrong it's good, but it's good for a bunch of 17 year olds. S.C.I.E.N.C.E songs are very similar bar 2, so how people can complain, I don't know.

This is one of the most fantastic albums of the year. Don't let those who are stuck in the past get to your heads. BUY THIS ALBUM!!

This is a very difficult album for Incubus to make. Despite securing a quality bassist in Ben Kenney to replace Dirk Lance, losing a founding member and longtime friend impedes the chemistry of previous albums and leaves the band with the daunting task of creating a new, working formula. With "A Crow Left of..." the band delves into semi-new waters, displaying some maturity in both lyrical and musical content. Unfortunately, gone are the refreshing percussion elements of djembe, dijeridoo, bongos; the trippy, unique, drawn-out instrumental track openings (replaced by more standard, mid-song instrumentals); the positivity credo of "Don't let the world bring you down"; the necessary D.J. interplay. Brought to the table is more sophisticated guitar work; more soul-searching and disconcerting lyrics; a new vibe. You can't blame them for putting emotions on their sleeves.

Despite the fact that the album is solid overall, I believe the true creative talent of Incubus is better harnessed with a kickback, mellow vibe in the hills of Malibu overlooking the ocean than in the Lollapalooza tour bus and a Hot-lanta studio.

Incubus is true music by true artists. They are absolutely amazing in every facet.

Had I reviewed this CD after my first listen, I would likely have rated it a 4/5. It was good, but as I'm discovering with most Incubus music, it took a little while to sink in. Now, after about five runs through the album, I have started to appreciate its many subtleties, and my fondness of it continues to grow.

Although relatively shallow texturally, the album is carried by Brandon Boyd's incisive vocals and its sonic variety. Here are some highlights:
- Original riffs, always purposefully driven but never too harsh (e.g. Megalomaniac, Sick Sad Little World)
- The introduction of interesting synthetic "nuggets" throughout, such as the scratchy whisps at the start of the second track.
- The perfect length of the tracks; each contains enough variety and development to keep boredom at bay.
- The complexity added by some harmonic interludes, such as the vocal section at 2:30-3:00 in Agoraphibia, and the haunting piano line of Here in My Room. Nice.
- Clarity. The whole CD sounds very crisp and neat, especially for a rock production, a fact aided by the clean guitar work.
- The consistent quality and variety of the songs. I have some favorite tracks, but I hardly ever skip a song.

In sum, A Crow Left of the Murder is a terrific showing by Incubus, and more accessible than the "weirder" alternative rock of groups like Tool. Excellent!

I was absolutely shocked after hearing the new Incubus album. There is just so much to love on there. If you want to make a name for yourself; if you want to leave your stamp in the world of music, you have to bring something different to the table. Which is exactly what Incubus did. There is so much diversity in the music. The new bass player from the roots is a vast improvement. The guitar solos are just sick! The songerwriting is from out of this world. I own all of the Incubus albums, from Fungus Amongus through A Crow Left of the Murder...this one is the most diverse and shocking, making it there best one...in my opinion. (Best Track: Sick Sad Little World)

I was instantly mesmerized by some of the songs on "A Crow...". It's different yes, but keep in mind this is Incubus we're talking about...when do they not change. This is a solid album. Not great but good. The title track, Zee Deveel, Here in My Room, all count as hits, they just aren't quite as catchy, which is fine. Yes, Brandon's voice Does seem to get higher every time haha...but it's all good. Before anyone else disses this (or any other incubus album) step back and take a look at all their cds. Incubus has always been creative and now would've been no time to stop. Music always progress, and they are no exception. Nothing on here is crap, its just different...in a good way.

Finally, I've been waiting 2 and half years for this album. As a big fan of Incubus' past 3 mind-blowing albums, I was eager to see what sorta diversity they had in store this time around. In the past, ALL of their albums had to grow on me, at first you think they're only ok but then once you get to know the songs, you're addicted. This album is very similar....with the first couple listens, I wasn't particuarly impressed. But now that the album has had over a week to sink in, I love it. Still, I wouldn't say it's as good as their past work. The first single, "Megalomaniac" is actually one of my least favorite tracks on the album, but only because it doesn't really offer anything new from the band. The more interesting tracks are "Talk Show On Mute", "Beware Criminal", "Leech", and my 2 absolute favorites, "A Crow Left Of The Murder" and "Pistola". These 2 songs are some of the band's BEST ever! Over-all, I'm pleased with the album, because nothing on here sucks. However, it doesn't hold my complete attention from beginning to end the way their past albums have. If all the songs were as good as tracks 2 and 7, then it probably would be their best. But I really can't wait to hear many of these songs (particuarly the first half of the album) played live. For those of you that read that this album would be more like their earlier albums (Fungus Amongus / SCIENCE), don't be mistaken....this album is very diverse, however, it bears a stronger resemblance to "Morning View" than anything else, as most of the songs are all pretty mellow. Bottom line: if you like everything Incubus has done so far, then buy this one. "Pistola" is reason enough to buy it! Can't wait to hear this album played live!

With the exception of Enjoy Incubus and Fungus Amongus having the same sound and musical structure, aside the addition of a DJ, Incubus' albums display a progression of growth and maturity. A Crow Left of the Murder is a really different sound that Incubus produces. I've read reviews how everything is low-key. Well, that displays musicianship rather than showmanship. Kilmore and Mike produce textural sounds and once in a while they shine under the spotlight with solos where it is necessary. You will not find incessant guitar solos, annoying scratching and abundant drum fills. Every instrument in this album are played as textures and each instrument is given priority. Never in the album do the drums and guitar defeat each other.

With the absence of Dirk, Ben Kenney is also a great addition to the band. He adds a nice falsetto to a few of the songs, such as Agoraphobia, during the song's breakdown. His bass-playing is mellow.

Overall, this isn't the album that accommodates your mood if you're angry with your parents. This album isn't made for S.C.I.E.N.C.E.-like moshing. It's an album to chill to. Each album is awesome and Incubus have established a repertoire if mood-accommodating music. As for me, when I want things loud and energetic, I listen to S.C.I.E.N.C.E.. When I want energy without the adrenaline, I listen to Make Yourself. If I am just waking up for a cup of coffee, want to read the newspaper or make love, I'll play Morning View. Crow/murder, I listen to when I just want to chill and enjoy time sink into the day. Every Incubus or rock fan can find Incubus' album accommodating to various moods.

This is a very structured album showing musicianship and maturity. The content is great, a bit confusing at times, but it's a fun challenge to decipher. It wouldn't be the same if Incubus produce another S.C.I.E.N.C.E., another Make Yourself, another Morining View, another Enjoy/Fungus. They all have their own signatures sounds, meanings and inspirations, especially to the Incubus fans are constantly listen to Incubus. This album will certainly bring about a new crowd of listeners as well.

Incubus'new album...ACLOTM is quite a trip to say the least. It goes in every musical direction Incubus has touched while still throwing in a ton of new styles. At first i wasn't too impressed, i liked it and all but it really didn't touch me. Until recently and now i can't stop listening to it. I've owned this for well over a year now, and it really hadn't touched me until about a month ago. The way the tracks flow just blows my mind still after all these listens.

1.Megalomaniac 8/10...Would be much higher if i and everyone else for that matter hadn't heard so many times. Still a great song that rocks hard and i love how in your face it is at times.
2.A Crow Lef Of The Murder 9.5/10...Just an amazing song. The guitar is awesome and it features a great chorus.
3.Agoraphobia 9.5/10...Stunning. Some of Brandon's best vocal delivery, and i just love the way it's pieced together, a softer song that is amazing.
4.Talk Show On Mute 9/10...A hit, but not overplayed. I used to not like this song very much, but now it's one of my favorites. More melodic vocals and another softer song with many cool effects.
5.Beware! Criminal 9/10...The rock kicks back in. Reminds me a bit of a heavier version of tracks 2 or 3. I love this song and the verses are great.
6.Sick Sad Little World 9.5/10...*Gasp* Wow. Tremendously written and probably in their top 10 most well written songs. Just A Phase was the last album's epic and this one owns that trait.
7.Pistola 8.5/10...A fun rocker, and i used to love it, but now it seems it's kind of weak compared to that last track. Although a great song on it's own, it's tough to follow Sick Sad Little World.
8.Southern Girl 9/10...A stunning beautiful soft song. The lyrics are touching and just a great overall song.
9.Priceless 8/10...A very good song, except the chorus gets a little annoying. The break down in the middle is one of my favorite parts on the whole cd.
10.Zee Deveel 8.5/10...Another unusual song. At least in the beginning, the chorus is great and it's very cool song.
11.Made For TV Movie 10/10...I have recently decided that this is my favorite song on the cd. The verses are pretty dark and quiet like alot of the songs with a great chorus and it ends tremendously.
12.Smile Lines 9/10...Another weird start, kind of reminds me of the song Misty Mountain Hop by Led Zeppelin, but the tempo immediately changes and it's amazing.
13.Here In My Room 9.5/10...Stunning. The piano and the lush vocals make this one of Incubus' most heart-felt songs.
14.Leech 9/10...A heavier way to end this amazing cd. The first verses are ok..but then the bridge is really cool and it ends great.

Just get this, probably after you get S.C.I.E.N.C.E., Make Yourself, and Morning View, but you need this. You'll love it.