A Crow Left of the Murder...

Performer: Incubus
Distributor: Sony BMG

Notes: In 2003, after successfully renegotiating their contract with Epic, Incubus struggled further in parting ways with bassist Dirk Lance. When a proven lineup has a successful chemistry, there is always the danger of tampering with that magic when a personnel change occurs. Luckily, Incubus dodged that bullet and struck gold with four-stringer Ben Kenney (Roots/Blackalicious). The requisite elements that Incubus fans have come to expect are firmly in place on A CROW LEFT OF THE MURDER, with the up-tempo bombast of "Megalomaniac" and "Beware? Criminal," the softer dynamics of "Southern Girl," and radio-friendly "Talk Shows On Mute." What may come as a surprise are the jazzy, proggy moments. In that light, some nods to Rush crop up, as with the chorus of the title track, "Agoraphobia" and the extended instrumental section of "Pistola." Guitarist Mike Einziger offers up plenty of quirky, interesting guitar work, especially in "Sick, Sad Little World" and "Priceless." CROW stands as an evolved statement of intent for Incubus, and a promise that the sky's the limit for this bird of flight.

Rolling Stone (3/4/04, p.63) - 3 stars out of 5 - "The band still indulges in plenty of effects-happy instrumental gymnastics and tricky rhythms, but [A CROW] is also its most consistently tune-based album." Mojo (Publisher) (2/04, p.94) - 3 stars out of 5 - "Songs like 'Sick', 'Sad Little World', and 'See Deveel' are exhilarating, Incubus trading their outer aggression for inner animus."

This quintet from Calabasas, CA, who started playing together in 1991, hit the road hard in support of Korn, Limp Bizkit, 311, and many others, before hitting it big. The Incubus sound is a mixture of melodic alternative rock, heavy, synth-colored rock, and some modern rhythmic touches courtesty of the band's turntablist DJ Kilmore. Between their hard rock riffs, accessible, pop-flavored melodies, and highly developed sense of dynamics, the band eventually found its way to massive acclaim after its long, hard journey through the rock underground.

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