After this summer's Lollapalooza, I was even less interested in the band with the departure of original bassist Dirk Lance leading to an even less funky group. But I have to admit I was roped in by the single, "Megalomaniac." The song is a terrific modern rock gem with enough intensity and drive (no pun intended) to sell a lot of albums. The entire concept of the song, whether aimed at EMINEM or George Bush, is terrific and is the best example of a powerful rock anthem.

"Megalomaniac" is also one of those tracks you can listen to over and over and not grow too tired of. That's a good thing since this first track serves as the last mind-blowing item on A Crow Left Of The Murder.

That's not to say this is the worst INCUBUS album of all time. Morning View still holds that title. The oddest criticism can be laid on the producer. Brendan O'Brien is perhaps the greatest producer of the last ten years and his work stands on its own. But when he's working with big rock bands, he has the habit of pushing talented singers to the background.

Brandon Boyd, abs and all, has some of the best pipes in the business. On A Crow Left Of The Murder, he's being held back so blatantly that rock critics and teenage girls alike should both be up in arms. Not only are Boyd's vocals not up to their bellowing heights, he's not adding anything else to the mix. Since INCUBUS has left the funky alt-rock hero worship of FAITH NO MORE for more blasé alt-rock radio fare, the band has lost a bit of its bite and intensity. Where is that didgeridoo and hand drum that Boyd wowed audiences with in 1998? There was always a deep rhythm to this hard rock band. Now there are only the spacey guitar licks of Mike Einziger to anchor the band.

In case this sounds too negative, I'll admit "Agoraphobia" is an excellent song that falls back on a simple chorus to draw us in. And it works. There is nothing wrong with that. And new bassist Ben Kenney gets to rip on "Sick Sad Little World." But otherwise the album, despite all its wonderful technical wizardry, doesn't add up to the band's best.

And it isn't its worst, either. A Crow Left Of The Murder has the potential to be one of those albums that grows on me and a few months from now I might be eating my words. I'm acknowledging it now so no one can rub my face in it. Still, I say let Brandon let loose, give the rhythm section some leeway and bring back some of the funk.

Better Late Than Never Pick Of The Week

Do you ever wonder how and why certain albums get reviewed? So do I! Basically it comes down to who sends the free CDs on time. Oh and they have to garner enough of our interest to instigate some finger tapping on a keyboard.

For some reason Initial Records either was delinquent in sending us review copies (see BLUE SKY MILE from last week's column) or they just don't care. But not sending us the last HARKONEN EP might just be chalked up to pure negligence because this type of sludgy hard rock is what keeps us interested in music. The unattractive mass of screamed vocals, pre-1991 grunge guitars and frenetic energy is intoxicating and this five song EP shocks with its simplistic bludgeoning.

"I'm Taking The Hydroplane To Bellingham" is perhaps one of the best three-minute rock opuses I've heard in the short life of 2004. Granted there are only ten words comprising the song's lyrical make-up, but it is definitely the highlight of this all too short set. HARKONEN conjures images of MUDHONEY and all that pre-NIRVANA greatness but they do enough to make their music relevant for 2004, even if this came out in 2003.

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