A Crow Left of the Murder is the fourth studio album by the American rock band Incubus, released on February 3, 2004. Following their commercial breakthrough with Make Yourself (1999) and the highly successful Morning View (2001), A Crow Left of the Murder marked a significant shift in the band's musical direction, further expanding their sound and embracing a more experimental, dynamic, and mature approach to rock.
This album represents a departure from the more mainstream rock radio success of their earlier work, as the band explored darker, more complex themes and a broader sonic palette. With influences ranging from alternative rock, post-grunge, funk, and metal, to elements of electronic music and even psychedelia, A Crow Left of the Murder was a critical step in the band’s artistic evolution.
The album is notable for its more introspective lyrics and a heavier, rawer sound, with Brandon Boyd's distinct, soulful vocals at the forefront. It also marks the last album with guitarist José Pasillas and bassist Dirk Lance, and the first album to feature Ben Kenney as the permanent bassist after Lance’s departure.
Overview and Themes:
A Crow Left of the Murder captures a significant shift in tone for Incubus, with a more aggressive and experimental sound. The album’s lyrics are often darker and more introspective than what the band had previously explored, dealing with social issues, personal struggles, existential questions, and humanity’s contradictions.
The album’s title itself, A Crow Left of the Murder, is a play on words. The phrase "a crow left of the murder" can be interpreted as a comment on the chaos and unpredictability of life. In one sense, a "murder" refers to a group of crows, while a "crow left" implies something that is on the periphery or outside of the norm. This reflects the album's themes of alienation, questioning societal norms, and personal introspection.
The sound of the album ranges from heavy, angular guitar riffs to softer, more melodic passages, with a focus on the band's ability to blend genres and create dynamic, genre-defying songs.