What makes a great album? Is it something as trivial as whether it is the band’s first album, second, or perhaps sixth album that does the trick? Is it something more complicated like producers, recording studios, specific amps or mics? Or is it kind of a mixture of everything combined with a bit of sheer luck in resonating with large groups of people who have no connection to one another, except a love for a band?
Whatever one believes, when Incubus moved into a beach house in Malibu, CA around April of 2001, they had no idea they would be producing one of their most defining albums since their 1999 groundbreaking album Make Yourself. It was finally released on Oct. of 2001, and when most albums would be beyond excited to have just one hit single, this album at the very least four of them. While Make Yourself, served as the album to get this band into limelight, Morning View was the one that cemented them as one of the biggest bands in the industry.
Fast forward twenty-three years, that album still continues to inspire fans to such a level that Incubus re-recorded the album in a different light, releasing under the title Morning View XXIII on May 10,2024, while announcing a full scale tour to celebrate it. Teaming with the mighty Coheed and Cambria, as the tour descended on Denver lines it did not take long to stretch out for the sold out show at the one and only Ball Arena on September 9, 2024. Fans of varying backgrounds and generations could be heard relating to what the album meant to them and how excited it was to hear the album in its entirety live.
First up for the night was one of Progressive Rock’s biggest musical monsters, Coheed and Cambria. After all, how many bands develop some of the most crushing albums based on the concepts their singer wrote about in his comic book series (The Amory Wars)? Kicking off their set with the sonic sounds of “In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth: 3” from their 2003 album of the same name. As a spectacle of lights entranced the audience, the sheer energy of Singer/Guitarist Claudio Sanchez, Bassist Zach Cooper, Drummer Josh Eppard, and Guitarist Travis Stever fueled them even further to let go with the music.
The band then jumped into one of their tracks from their third album from 2005, Good Apollo, I’m Burning Star IV: Volume One: From Fear Through the Eyes of Madness, entitled “Ten Speed (of God’s Blood and Burial),” pummeling the audience’s senses with every pulsating note. The energy from the intense stage performance kept engulfing the arena, bringing each song to life, especially with songs like “A Favor House Atlantic,” “Blindside Sunny,” and “Shoulders.” Leaving the audience breathless yet very warmed up for a full set of Incubus.
As the packed and sold out Ball Arena lights began to dim, fans let out a massive scream of anticipation, as Incubus hit the stage to one of their many staple singles from Morning View, “Nice to Know You.” Fans were so psyched for this concert, their singing along with Brandon Boyd almost muted out Mike Einziger on guitars, Jose Pasillas on drums, Chris Kilmore on keys, samples, records, and Nicole Row on bass (as recently Ben Kenney parted from the band). One of the highlights for Incubus came only a couple songs in as they played their track “Wish You Were Here,” the feeling in the room was electric, the explosion of lights and fans screaming every word certainly cemented just why the band had to celebrate this release.
While hearing the track “11am” can be incredibly atmospheric for a spectator, the band’s take on the song right after, “Blood on the Ground” brought such an intimate element to the night even in a massive arena. Don’t worry Incubus fans, even though they play Morning View in it’s entirety, the band still closed out with other staples such as “Anna Molly” and “Drive,” leaving any true Incubus fans on cloud nine. This is one tour you do not want to miss, so bring your senses and warm up those vocals.
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