Music
Store

Megalomaniac- An explosive start to an explosive album. This is a good song to just rock out to.

A Crow Left of the Murder- I love Mike's guitar intro's. They never sound the same, and they are always so inventive and fun. This is one of those with his great guitar riffs. It's a very unique sounding song, but so full of energy.

Agoraphobia- This is a mellower song than the first two. This is perfect "chill" music, but with a very catchy melody. Don't be surprised if this one gets stuck in your head for a while.

Talk Show on Mute- This is also a mellow song, as well. Just like Agoraphobia, it's also very catchy. Those two songs do not sound alike, though. It's also worth noting the fun effects that DJ Kilmore uses in this song.

Beware! Criminal- This is a standard rock song...Incubus style. Which just makes it very fun. There's a little bit of it that reminds me of Jet, another good yet less creative band.

Sick, Sad Little World- Another great intro by Mike. This song is strangely addictive, and Brandon's vocal range is really good here. Another good rock tune.

Pistola- This is just all-out high octane rock. It's good, but the re-listening factor for it isn't as high as some of the others, possibly b/c it's just an exhausting song that can get old. I still like it, though.

Southern Girl- What a great rock ballad. It's just such a sweet song but it's got a very mellow and bittersweet tone. Probably one of my favorites on the cd. Awesome song.

Priceless- This is my least favorite on the cd. It's not a bad song by any means. There's just a sort of lack of melody. But that's the mood of the song. It's a very loud, fast paced song that has more of a yelling chorus than an actual melody. But it's got some GREAT guitar.

Zee Deveel- This is a very playful song that is just plain fun. It's got a great beat and a great pre-chorus, but mainly it's just fun to listen to.

Made For TV Movie- This is a mellow song that has a pinch of grunge to it. When listening to it, I was reminded of the mellower songs of Nirvana or early Bush. This ones got a pretty catchy chorus.

Smile Lines- A great rock tune. Very catchy verses, with some great lyrics. Who could ask for more?

Here in My Room- Wow. This is an awesome song. It's got a great main piano lead that's just chilling...I get goosebumps just thinking about it. This is by far the mellowest song on the cd, but I mean that in the best way possible. It sounds like they might have gotten a little bit of influence from Radiohead or someone like that b/c this song is so beautifully moody. DJ Kilmore's ambient effects add so much to the song it's ridiculous. This is a great song. The cd would be worth buying just for this song. Also, Brandon's singing style changes a bit for this song, and it sounds much more mature. I love everything about this song. It's incredible.

Leech- After "Here in My Room," if the cd had ended, it might leave some people depressed. To remedy that, they give us "Leech." A very high energy with some very fun guitar and bass riffs. I mean, when the chorus blares "The ride's over. Did you enjoy yourself?", could you honestly think of a better ending to this great disc?

Overall, A Crow Left of the Murder continues to show that Incubus just gets better and better with age. They never do albums that sound the same, and this one is no exception. I would definitely say that this one rocks out a little harder than Morning View, and I mean that in a good way. The only thing missing from this cd is an acoustic guitar song, but I kind of admire them for not doing one since they did them on their past two albums and they became big hits. They're not trying to repeat anything. This is Incubus re-invented...again. But you can still tell it is Incubus through and through. They are one of the few original and creative acts out there, and they just keep getting better. If you like Incubus, buy this cd. If you like rock, buy this cd. If you are just curious about Incubus and don't know their music, buy this cd. It's a great cd that displays just how talented these guys are.


A Version of Azwethinkweizm   August 24, 2004
 11 out of 13 found this review helpful

Fans that just came along and think Morning View is their 2nd cd need not read this review. Nor the fans who spout "Drive is best song ever, incubus is new right?" True fans of incubus will appreciate ACLOTM for the transcending message of musical art it brings forth. "From here on it's instinctual..." applies to this album better than anything I can say. This is a somewhat return to form for Incubus after the pop sensation that was Morning View. Don't get me wrong, Morning View is a very good album indeed, inspired by the big ass house & pretty scenery of course. But nothing like the standards set by albums like Closet Cultivation or Self titled. This new album though almost conveys a sound similar the likes of "Purple Kool Aid" or "Miss Bliss" which is simply amazing. Brandon's lyrics make this album worth the price alone, songs like "Agoraphobia" and "Beware! Criminal" are right along up there with some of the best incubus songs conceived, but what else would you expect? Lyrically we've never been let down for simple "I'm a poet and I don't know it" lyrics that haunt the air waves and pollute music, Brandon is himself a true poet. Sure this album isn't as crunchy as S.C.I.E.N.C.E. but if you're a real fan, you should have noticed every album is in itself different. Make Yourself has no funk or screaming whatsoever. Morning View is almost a perfect picture of solitude put into sounds (except the mosh worthy "Under My Umbrella") so for this album to be something along the lines of a side we've never before is just the way it should be. This album seems to experiment with Brandon's falsetto a little bit more than previous albums and Mike's guitar playing is a little more "out there" with his amazing guitar solos and strange robotic/fuzzy distortion. The new bass player is fitting for the band as well. "He plays the drums!?" which is what you'd say if you recently saw them on tour. But his funky style gives incubus back it's "roots" somewhat and is the perfect addition to this seemingly perfect band. Jose is modestly godlike on the drums as always and DJ Kilmore is all into funky "robot factory" sounds in this one which is pretty sweet aside from the space sounds of Make Your Self and S.C.I.E.N.C.E. This DvD is "Priceless" to say the least, just for the live performances alone, not to mention Brandon's injury (as portrayed by Jose). All in all any real fan will appreciate this work of art as whole, for it sits atop the shelf with the rest of incubus's stunning and original releases. I'm a death metal head and I can't even deny the talent incubus spews forth with every album. They aren't the poped out "NU Metal" or even heavy metal, too crunchy and boundless to be funk. They're just......incubus.


A letdown from one of my favorite bands   April 16, 2004
 7 out of 14 found this review helpful

Now, I've noticed that most of the reviews for this album are within the 4 and 5-star ratings, so I'm prepared, if you know what I mean. And I also noticed that a lot of people don't seem to like their last album, Morning View, and I'm not exactly sure why. But anyway, while I love the band Incubus, this album wasn't doing it for me.

The album's lone standout is the lead single "Megalomaniac". The romantic "Southern Girl" is pretty good too, except during the second verse when Brandon says "We'll try each other on, see if we fit". But the rest of the songs leave a LOT to be desired.

Produced by, as usual, Brendan O'Brien, you would expect some well-crafted songs on here. But surprisingly, most of the songs are ridiculously overproduced, lacking any kind of cohesion. And the sound effects in the background that used to add feeling to their songs now don't seem to do much more than take up time (see "Pistola").

Lyrics are also a flaw here. Some of these songs could stand a rewrite or two, like "Zee Deveel", "Here In My Room" ("Love is a verb/Here in my room"? Sheesh.) and "Made For TV Movie". And the title track seems like it was written at the last minute. Basically, I'm always looking for something introspective when I listen to Incubus, but instead of a great album, I got another one of those "diehard" releases. In other words, if you're a hardcore Incubus fan, you'll do one of the following:

1)Call this the album of the year and give it five stars

or

2)Say this doesn't compare to Enjoy Incubus or S.C.I.E.N.C.E. and give it one star.

The rest of us will just call this album average.

Anthony Rupert


Incubus Bringing Back the Old WIth A Little New   February 28, 2004
 6 out of 7 found this review helpful

Being a strong fan of Incubus, mainly S.C.I.E.N.C.E., Make Yourself, and Fungus Amongus, I always listen to their CDs. Sure enough, I loved the entire album. Here I'll review each song:

1. Megalomaniac - 5/5 - The first single, with a music video that for once proved a point unlike most of today's videos (which MTV unsurprisingly banned). Heavy feel to it, I love the guitar and the chorus.

2. A Crow Left of the Murder - 5/5 - Excellent song. Has a new air to it, more like Make Yourself. Listen to it a few times to get the lyrics in your head.

3. Agoraphobia - 4.5/5 - Again, nice guitar. The song draws you in every time you hear it; don't listen to it while you're driving or you might forget what you're doing ;)

4. Talk Show On Mute - 4.5/5 - Beautiful lyrics, much softer feel than the previous songs. It'll take a listen or 2 before you like it.

5. Beware! Criminal - 4/5 - It's a good song, Brandon has fun with singing the words in different ways on this track. The lyrics get stuck in my head for a while, which gets annoying :(

6. Sick Sad Little World - 5/5 - The guitar solo (about 2-3 minutes long) is a KILLER. I love it a lot. Not great if you listen for lyrics only like mainstream music today.

7. Pistola - 4.5/5 - The whole song is a big metaphor. This one can get old, but when you hear it it's amazing. The turntables at the start are fun to listen to.

8. Southern Girl - 5/5 - Beautiful track. Listen to when you're in a mellow mood to have the most fun with this.

9. Priceless - 5/5 - Awesome song with a jazz theme to it. I love the guitar to death and this is definitely one of the best songs on the CD.

10. Zee Deveel - 6/5 - Best track on here. So much like old (heavier) Incubus with great lyrics. This song never gets old either, which I love about it.

11. Made For TV Movie - 4.5/5 - Mellower track, but not as slow as Southern Girl. Has awesome lyrics as well.

12. Smile Lines - 4.5/5 - A fun song to listen to, but it can get old. Brandon has fun on variations of singing the words yet again on this track.

13. Here In My Room - 4/5 - Too slow for me, but has an excellent use of the piano. Props to Incubus for doing a song like this.

14. Leech - 5/5 - Awesome song with lyrics you can listen to over and over for weeks and not get sick of. The guitar solo reminds me of Led Zeppelin for some reason.

Overall, this CD is a must-have for any Incubus fan. No matter if you're a fan of Morning View or S.C.I.E.N.C.E., you will love this CD and the live performances on the 2nd disc.


Decent, but...   February 4, 2004
 5 out of 8 found this review helpful

All right. I think that Morning view did taint my mind. But only a bit. I say this because CROW LEFT OF THE MURDER is... different.
I have been an Incubus fan since I heard Stellar. Drive drove me a little deeper. But I realy became something of an Incubus-lackey after hearing Pardon Me. I was hooked. I loved the CD MAKE YOURSELF, then a year or so later got both S.C.I.E.N.C.E. and MORNING VIEW for Christmas. I fell in love with them both. The rythme pounded out in a hard rock style in one, while the contains a beautiful, musical coheisiveness that made every song great.
Now that that is explained, it all makes sense in this- THERE IS NO MUSICAL COHEISIVENESS, NO ROCK YOUR FACE OFF MUSIC. The only song that comes close (and succeeds) is Megalomaniac. A couple songs are slower yet good( sick sad little world, for example), yet all seem to be lacking. I'm not being narrow-minded towards the music, it's just that after every CD, it kept going in a new direction that I found myself being sucked into. This CD, though, just seemed sub-par. I don't know. Maybe it will grow on me, maybe not. I've listened to everything a time or two through, and maybe it needs time.
I'll say this- "DRIVE" FANS, GO HOME. TRL/RADIO-FRIENDLIES, GO HOME. IF YOU DO NOT WANT CHANGE, SCREW THIS ALBUM AND GO HOME. this is a different musical collection than what most are used to, and that is what ultimately will weaken reviews, sales, and even undermine the fanbase by scratching away the surface. The album sounds nothing like Megalomaniac. It touches more on SCIENCE and FUNGUS AMUNGUS more than anything else musically. Kind of disappointed overall, but incubus still are unique and enjoyable even in change.