ALBUM REVIEW:
INCUBUS - MORNING VIEW XXIII
by Angel David
30 May 2024
I remember first hearing this album when I was in 5th grade. My younger cousins were into pro-wrestling; we beat the shit out of each other while listening to Korn, Slipknot, and Limp Bizkit. I didn't know those bands back then. All I knew was that they were so fucking loud that we barely hear or notice when someone's tapping out from The Walls of Jericho. Then, there was my older cousin Ogie, who I don't even know where the hell he is as I'm writing this piece. I don't have any news about him. He used to sell dishes at my tita's carinderia here in Masinop St., Tondo. He used to play records of Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Matchbox Twenty, Sugar Ray, and Incubus while manning my tita's dishes. We were not close as cousins; he used to tease me for listening to boybands, how I imitated their hairstyles, and poke fun at them for being 'baduy.' Little did Kuya Ogie know that I became curious about what he was listening to. I started hanging out near the carinderia so I could listen to the records of that asshole. Day in and day out, I tried listening to his records without him even knowing, and I came to like it. I didn't know the title of the songs, because every time I would ask, he and his friends would just laugh at me and say that I should stick to boybands. I just know the lyrics. I remember him singing 'Wish You Were Here' while shooing away flies that come near my tita's dishes. That was my first memory of Morning View, if the latter serves me right; it was Kuya Ogie swatting them flies while singing 'Wish You Were Here.'
The release of the re-recorded Morning View made me curious. We all know that the original is always better than the revival. It doesn't matter how we like Joe Cocker's version of 'With A Little Help From My Friends', Chris Cornell's slow rock Billie Jean, Jeff Buckley's Hallelujah, or Johnny Cash's riveting cover of Hurt, and the list goes on and on—a homage by way of rendition, no matter how great, cannot outlast the endearing impact of an original work. But this is not an homage. Only a sorry-ass narcissist would pay homage to himself.
Which begs the question: why did Incubus re-record Morning View for its 23rd anniversary? Boredom? Amusement? Or did they just do a Taylor Swift manuever as a fat middle finger for the corporate clowns? The answer is in the re-recorded tracks. Give it a try, and you will hear the difference. On its first track, you will be greeted by a two and a half-minute intro of 'Nice to Know You.' Hey! Hey! Hmm-better than watching Geller bending silver spoons. Alright. Stop there. That's our very own California Jesus. That's a near-50-year-old Brandon Boyd. Let's be honest, his vocals are not the same as before. At least, let's acknowledge that. I believe even a guy like him knows that. Besides, listening to the whole album was almost like a live concert experience. What I got from this re-recorded album was just a band trying' to have fun. Exploring the songs that they made 23 years ago with their new bassist, Nichole Row. Like a musical time machine. Trying to put a different touch on an album that captivated millions of listeners around the world. In my opinion, this version of Echo, Aqueous Transmission, and 11 AM is mesmerizing. They added new flavours to it and even perfected it to a degree, I might add. For once in your life, just give up the nostalgia because they're still here, still getting discovered by younger generations. Fans should appreciate them more while they're still alive and kicking. Active, touring, and re-recording. Rockin' and rollin'. After all, we all know the lore of Incubus; it's a devil that makes love to women while they're asleep.
And boy, how glad I am that they're still fucking with their legendary album.
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E-mail Angel David at angel@jamlemonrecords.com