Incubus has definitely made its mark in music history. Releasing many albums (5 full length, counting Fungus) and having each of them sound different, Incubus definitely has something for everybody. I have never heard somebody tell me that they do not like Incubus. Almost everybody likes at least one of their albums.
This album, however, is a lot different from Morning View. Morning View was filled with peaceful, soothing songs recorded in a beach house. A Crow Left of the Murder is very dark. I think one of the reasons for this is guitarist Mike Einziger switching from PRS’s to Fender Jazzmasters. Makes for a more harsh attack. Dirk Lance being replaced by Ben Kenney also changes the sound a lot.
Track by Track
1. Megalomaniac – This song got a fair amount of airtime on the radio. 30 seconds of Mikey’s effects on guitar, and all of a sudden the song explodes into the hard rocking Incubus we know. The verses are softer, filled with turntable noises and guitar effects. This song has definitely got a political edge to it, being about the government in some way. I like the song a lot, although most of my Incubus loving friends do not. 4.5/5
2. A Crow Left of the Murder – Now we get to the title track of the CD. This is probably my least favorite off of the album, but I did like it for a little while. The opening guitar riff at the beginning is good, but the chorus sounds like it was taken straight from another song. This appeals to some people, but I do not like it. 3/5
3. Agoraphobia – The intro is the guitar playing an F chord (I believe) and drums and turntables over that. Brandon’s singing comes in soon after. I do not know what this song is about, but the lyrics and the vocals are incredible. This is definitely one of my favorite songs on the album, and should have been released as a single. 4.5/5
4. Talk Shows on Mute – Another single off the album. I like the guitar part, the notes seem to fit well together for me. In this song, Brandon sings about the book “1984.” The vocals are once again incredible, and the bass line is always stuck in my head. However, this song just gets plain old after a while. 4/5
5. Beware! Criminal – After some weird DJ noise, the drums play for 2 beats and then the rest of the band comes. This song has a really scary feel to it. Brandon’s singing is top notch again. Mellow verses lead into a much heavier chorus, with Brandon and Ben singing, “Yeah I’m down, but not out!” Another great song. 4/5
6. Sick Sad Little World – My favorite song on the album. The guitar starts playing a fast, dark riff, and then everybody comes in. The drums sound like they were shot out of a cannon, really fast on the snare. I think this song is about somebody leaving another person, and that one person wanting the other person to come back (“Please come back to us, or all of the above”). The bridge/guitar solo make this song what it is. Very mellow at first, and then erupts into distorted tremolo picking. Amazing song. 5/5
7. Pistola – Most people’s favorite off the album. After a DJ intro, the guitar breaks out into a cool riff for the verse and then explodes into the chorus. The bridge is amazing, Mikey playing some weird chord with modulation over that, and then it goes into a breakdown. The bass line to this is really awesome. This is what made me not miss Dirk so much. After this bridge, it goes back to the chorus and then fades out with the DJ intro playing again. Another awesome song. 4.5/5
8. Southern Girl – Took me a while to like this one. This is a more slow, love ballad type song. I think the lyrics could have been better, but the singing is really beautiful, and the guitar is a very nice addition. After the chorus, Mikey plays a cool little guitar solo before the next verse. This is probably my least favorite song on the CD, as it is a bit boring, but still a good song. 3/5
9. Priceless – Another one of my favorites. After a drum intro, the guitar plays a weird yet very awesome riff and then distorts and plays that same thing. The verse is Brandon singing short lines with Mikey cycling through each of his effects in the background. The guitar solo is golden. You might not even think it’s Incubus at first, but I assure it is, and it’s better than ever. 4.5/5
10. Zee Deveel – What’s making that strange noise in the beginning? I don’t know if it’s Mikey or Kilmore. Either way, unique intro into a unique song. The guitar is very harsh sounding, and would sound a lot different played on a PRS. The singing is pretty amazing, but that’s not new. I think this song is about being attached to material things, but I’m no good at figuring out lyrics. There is also a crazy guitar solo in the middle. Weird, yet good, song. 3.5/5
11. Made for TV Movie – ANOTHER one of my favorites off the album. It’s a slower song, with mellow verses and a heavy chorus. Brandon sings very low in the verses, and singing normally in the chorus. I like the background vocals in the chorus, it really adds a lot to the song. The bridge is really heavy as well. It ends with Brandon singing and Mikey playing guitar. 4.5/5
12. Smile Lines – Starts off with phased guitar fading in, and then Mike playing a riff with a ring mod (gonkulator) on his guitar. This does not sound like classic Incubus, but it’s a good song nonetheless. Brandon sings pretty high pitched in the verses, with shouting choruses. When you think the song is over, Jose plays a fill and it comes back in with another chorus. Overall, a good song. 4/5
13. Here in My Room – I love this song right from the start. It’s a slower song, but everything just seems to fit together so well. Mike plays piano on this song, giving the song a very different feel to it. After the first chorus, Mikey plays a guitar solo. Brandon’s singing is top notch, and seeing this song done live is absolutely beautiful (see “Alive at Red Rocks”). 4.5/5
14. Leech – This song starts off with Mike playing some weird instrument (I tried to figure out what it is, but I couldn’t). Brandon sings the highest I’ve ever heard him sing in some parts of the verse. The song stays the same for about 2 verses, and then the bridge is Mikey playing a variation of the chorus on hard distortion. I love this so much. It’s really unexpected and adds a lot to the song. The song fades out with Brandon singing “The rides over.” 4/5
Overall, a really good Incubus album (I think each one has their ups and downs, but Morning View just bored me.). Very different from Morning View. Download some songs to see if you like them.
Overall, 4.5/5
Incubus is:
Brandon Boyd (Vocals)
Mike Einziger (Guitar, Piano, Backing Vocals)
Ben Kenney (Bass, Backing Vocals)
Chris Kilmore (Turntables)
Jose Pasillias II (Drums)
