'A Crow' flies angry skies

Noteworthy CD review

Incubus's latest album, "A Crow Left of the Murder," opens with a rant aimed at the megalomaniacs, people who have an obsession with grandiose performances, of the world. Vocalist Brandon Boyd denounces them as false idols, saying, "You're no Jesus/ You're no fucking Elvis." Clearly, Boyd has traded introspection for accusation; on this record, he wears his anger on his sleeve.

In terms of the music, "A Crow" is filled with the kind of rock you would expect from Incubus: funky, suspenseful, guitar-driven verses followed by soaring vocal choruses. Guitarist Michael Einziger, contributes some solid play to the album, but obscures Incubus' deejay Kilmore, in a mire of feedback. As a result, the songs on this album run longer than usual, an indicator that Incubus recently has been more interested in cohesion rather than in singles.

The real difference between this Incubus record and the other four in Boyd's vocal growth. While he always possessed a strong and interesting voice, Boyd never explored his own potential. On this record, he finally does, and his use of vocal nuisances displays a new mastery of his voice. However, the band itself shows little, if any, growth in its new album.

Lyrically, this record is mostly social commentary. Boyd is upset and disenchanted by what he sees on television and in the movies. "Talk Show On Mute" confronts America's recent obsession with reality television and observes that voyeurism robs other people of their mystery and intrigue. He sings, "I hate to say so much more/ You're so much more endearing with the sound turned off. "In "Made For T.V. Movie, "Boyd challenges gratuitous violence, saying, "stop blowing each other up," which seems reasonable.

"A Crow" weighs in politically, as the title might suggest. The album's first video single, "Megalomaniac," already has garnered some outrage for its politically evocative theme, and the motif appears consistently throughout the entire album. But, mainly, Boyd and Incubus view themselves as the social left, partisan to different values than the mainstream. They might make a veiled political statement or two, but will not follow Bono on his pilgrimage to the White House.

The album's key weakness lies within its lyrics. Boyd has always tried to portray himself as a rock poet, although he is not entirely convincing because without his vocals and the band's instrumentals his lyrics cannot stand alone.

Overall, "a Crow" is what it claims to be, a dark, foreboding album flying outside of mainstream rock, but still within reach of the public. Incubus has another hit single on its hands, but the album as a whole doesn't live up to "Megalomaniac." It starts strong and then meanders for 13 songs. Maybe Boyd should get angry more often.