Incubus ‘Morning View XXIII’ Review. A worthwhile revisit? Or has the mature musician stopped trusting the decisions of their younger selves?
As music ages, it grows. The original recording is a mere snapshot in time. Songs are often recorded before being played live, after which they take on a new life. The Who are a prime example of a band who’s live interpretations far exceed their album output.
But like The Who, there’s a temptation to meddle. And far too often the mature musician stops trusting the decisions of their younger selves. So is Incubus’ ‘Morning View XXIII’ Tommy ‘Live at Leeds’, or the travesty that is the 90’s ‘Tommy: The Musical’?
Morning View is a classic
We have to preface this by saying that the original ‘Morning View’ is a classic. An album of sublime songs that are as beautiful as they are heavy. It’s therefore a risky decision to revisit an adored album that is seen by many as perfection.
‘Morning View XXIII’ opens slowly. In a way that would build anticipation at live gig but somehow lacks urgency in the studio environment. Brandon’s voice also seems off somehow. It’s hard to ignore the phrasing when you’re so used to the original. There’s a saccharin feel to the vocal that was previously absent. This feels like a choice, rather than due to ageing and is therefore a little odd.
Incubus covering themselves
In places, this new version of ‘Morning View’ feels like a cover band. And essentially Incubus are covering themselves. And it’s difficult to switch off from this. There are however some welcome changes. The guitar and bass, for example, are deeper, fuller, yet dirtier here. This is also one of the areas that feels a little flat when going back to the original.
‘Morning View XXIII’ is at its best when you forget the analysis and lay the comparisons aside. This can take until ‘Blood on the Ground’ to do this, a good 6 songs in. And it was only then that I was able to forget myself and just enjoy the epic music. Perhaps it’s at this point the band start enjoy it too and forget the nuances that colour the live versions.
This experiment feels like it would have worked better as a live album. This is something Bad Tattoo would love to hear. Though it’s also important to remember ‘Morning View XXIII’ was recorded during the Covid pandemic, when touring wasn’t possible. So perhaps this release also documents the frustration of not being able to play live.
Urgency
The original ‘Morning View’ is less polished but it also has more urgency. Brandon’s voice also sits better. There’s no messing about with the original album, which gets straight to the point. A suspense is created here but it feels profligate. It’d be interesting to catchup up with Incubus in a few years time. Will they stand by this release? Or will they regret the revisit, like Spielberg did with the his 2005 E.T. meddling?
‘Morning View’ is a classic. And there are some positive additions here, like the improved guitars and bass sounds. I can’t help but feel a remaster, or re-recording of the guitars and bass was likely all that was needed. But when Incubus tour this live I’m going to be first in line. If anything, ‘Morning View XXIII’ proves, on record at least, just how right the band got it the first time.
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