Aspiring bands plot their rise meticulously. What they don’t count on is being inappropriately pigeonholed once they ‘arrive’. Whether it’s straggling a scene or milking a hit single that belies their true vocation, sometimes you gotta grin and bear it until the time is right for change.
You get the feeling for Incubus the right moment presented itself with the release of 2001’s well-received "Morning View" LP, which beckoned the mainstream with open arms. And a fine record it turned out to be, exercising a few demons and the now laughable comparisons with Korn, Limp Bizkit et al.
This year’s model continues to tip the balance in that direction, perilously edging closer to mediocrity with an undercurrent of self-indulgence. Nothing wrong with the latter, of course, no doubt fuelled by Incubus’ not-so secret weapon and resident poster boy, Brandon Boyd, but Incubus are in danger of becoming too ‘nice’ for their own good.
That aside, there’s a lot to enjoy here – a smattering of electronics, glossy riffs and intriguing tempo shifts – but "Crow…" lacks the confidence of "Morning View" and, you suspect, the durability. There’s nothing as timeless as "Wish You Here" anywhere to be found.
With their vocal inclination and fret-board gymnastics, Incubus now pitch themselves somewhere between Pearl Jam ("Talk Show Host") and the newly rejuvenated Chili Peppers ("Sick Sad Little World"), while frequently making a wayward attempt at hijacking Faith No More’s game plan. It’s just a shame they didn’t spread the imagination of opener "Megalomaniac" more sparingly but the punky grunge title track and the more genteel "Southern Girl" demand attention.
There’s conceivably a great record still lurking inside this band but you’re going to have to wait just a bit longer to hear it.
