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MUSICBOX
Familiar medicine
California band Incubus is best known for their dynamic hit Drive. A Crow Left of The Murder (ACLOTM) is the latest studio outing by the nu metal/alternative rock group, for which they teamed up with producer Brendan O’Brien of Pearl Jam and Rage Against The Machine fame. It is a commendable disc that will surely hook the uninitiated. Incubus has brought in guitarist Ben Kenney to replace bassist Dirk Lance, and his sound finds both compatibility and identifiable expression on this record.
Megalomaniac is a rock driven political protest song with front-man Brandon Boyd turning the steam on George W. Bush: “Hey megalomaniac/You’re no Jesus/ Wash your hands clean of yourself baby and/Step down, step down.” The song’s controversial video and catchy choruses evidently censure the American president’s stance on the Iraq war. Sick Sad Little World is the number that steals the show with its momentum. Guitarist Mike Einziger unleashes the untamed, bottled up groove of axe legend Jimi Hendrix. The lively riffs coupled with remarkable drumming and kicking bass make this song stick in one’s head. Undoubtedly a classic in the making. Southern Girl changes the tone and temper of the album somewhat, with its ballad-like quality. In Here in My Room, the album continues in the same mellow vein as Einziger showcases his talents on the piano. The smooth, unpretentious piano effects make this one an addictive choice to listen to again and again.
ACLOTM is a fusion of the band’s previous sounds including the debut Fungus Amongus and later albums like S.C.I.E.N.C.E and Morning View, yet it ignites mysteriously appetizing alchemy. Fans of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and System of a Down will find this album highly palatable.
With its strong political undertones and urbane observations of what modern life is morphing into, this non-formulaic album, with a lesser frequency of DJ effects than its predecessor, is a superlative effort from the band. As far as the lyrics are concerned, Incubus are not exactly wordsmiths, but they manage to drive home their point on a communicable note. Bold experimentation makes ACLOTM a passionate and beautiful work that delivers its manifesto with an impressive punch! —-Taimur Saleem
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