Well, I'm back in Texas so it seems about time for another mainstream music review. I know how all of the other guys love it so much!
This time I will be reviewing Incubus's new album "A Crow Left of the Murder." Over all it's not a bad one. Could be better, but couldn't they all?
Track 1 – "Megalomaniac" – I heard this one on the radio many times, AKA OVER AND OVER before the album actually came out. I didn't like it at first, but after a while it tends to grow on you. I don't know why though. The song tends to be pretty plain.
Track 2 – "A Crow Left of the Murder" – The song sounds a bit like Megalomaniac. The bridge is the best part of the song though. Not much to say about this track, except that it is the typical bland track 2 that most albums nowadays have.
Track 3 – "Agoraphobia" – This track has more of a "Morning View" feel. I actually like this track, much better than the first 2. If you like the "famous" Incubus, you'll like this track.
Track 4 – "Talk Show on Mute" – This song has the old "Morning View" feel as well. It's one of my favorite tracks though. They have some great metaphors in this track; I think a lot of people would have no idea what Brandon is talking about.
Track 5 – "Beware! Criminal" – The style from this song was stolen from "Make Yourself." It seems like this was a B-side from that album. If you liked "Stellar", you'll love this song. The guitars, vocals, and drums sound like 99-2000 Incubus.
Track 6 – "Sick Sad Little World" – I don't really care for this track very much. The chorus is good, but the verses are boring. They went crazy with the bridge this time though. It sounds like something that The Doors would have. Almost like "Riders on the Storm." The bridge is the best part of the track, as with most of the songs on this album.
Track 7 – "Pistola" – This track is pretty boring as well, the guitar is straight out of "Make Yourself" though. The bridge is interesting, I really don't know what they did on this album, but it seems like the producer asked for longer bridges. Almost like Christopher Walken as Bruce Dickinson asking for more COWBELL!
Track 8 – "Southern Girl" – This song is very laid back, it's a good song. I think I like the laid back tracks on this album the best. Probably one of the best songs Incubus has ever written.
Track 9 – "Priceless" – I don't like this track at all, it's just horrible. Another odd bridge though, almost funky at times, reminds me of their "Fungus Amongus" album. That's about all I have to say about it though.
Track 10 – "Zee Deveel" – There seems to be no musical style to this track, it sounds like they wrote it in 10 minutes. I don't care for this track.
Track 11 – "Made for TV Movie" – This is a pretty good track; it's a relief after the last 2. It's a mixture of "Make Yourself" and "Morning View". The bridge has a Soundgarden style, which actually works well with the song.
Track 12 – "Smile Lines" – This almost sounds like a Pearl Jam rip-off at points in the song. I like this track, but at the same time, I dislike it. My musical indecisiveness hits me with this track.
Track 13 – "Here in My Room" – By far, the best track on the album. It has been my favorite since the beginning. Maybe it's the piano, but I could listen to this track over and over. Actually, I have listened to it on repeat. It has a great build up to the chorus, the song itself just flows.
Track 14 – "Leech" – I don't think that this was a very good track to pick to end the album. Some parts of the song are good, but for the most part it's boring and sounds like every other mainstream band.
Well, that's all of the tracks. I had originally told Trav that I was going to write a bad review of the album. It's true that when listened to the first time, most people won't like it. However, it does grow on you. I actually listened to it most of the drive from Missouri back to Texas, just to decide what I really thought of it. Most mainstream Incubus fans will like this one after they listen to it for a while. Those who liked S.C.I.E.N.C.E. the best will probably not like the album. I still think that "Nebula" is their best song ever. Sometimes, change is good... there are a few tracks on here though, where I think a change in musical style went too far. I can't really make a suggestion on whether to buy the album or not. My review tells what I think of it, I guess it's just something that you will have to find out for yourself.