incubus


		INCUBUS A CROW LEFT OF THE MURDER (Epic) reviewed by Liz ********

	Unlike Courtney, Incubus have decided to grow up and, although it’s not quite as laid-back as their last album, ‘A Crow Left of the Murder’ is still a showcase for the newer, mellower Incubus.

Post-teenage angst seems to be creeping back in, lending this album a rougher, angrier sound than Incubus’ last effort. They manage to give the impression that they could burst into a floor-filling, eardrum-shattering rock anthem at any minute, they just don’t want to. Thankfully they’ve managed to pull together some fantastic material: the pounding ‘Megalomaniac’ was their best single in years and it’s not even the standout track. There hasn’t been an album this lacking in filler for years (although ‘Talk Shows on Mute’ drags on for far too long). ‘A Crow Left of the Murder’ delivers one infectious song after another, slipping easily between radio songs (‘Agoraphobia’, ‘Beware! Criminal’, ‘Leech’) and more muted, intimate affairs (‘Southern Girl’, ‘Here In My Room’).
The bonus DVD is well worth the few extra quid you’ll have to shell out, combining interview clips, live performances and a short film starring Michael Einzinger. It’s not quite as good as the album itself but the short film is surprisingly funny. The live performances aren’t Incubus at their best (Brandon Boyd spends most of the time wandering round looking lost) but they’re watchable nonetheless, and ‘While We Were Out’ provides some entertaining backstage/studio footage.
It may take a few plays before it finally hits you, but ‘A Crow Left of the Murder’ is one hell of an album. Buy it. Buy it now.