The Impact Series – Volume 1: Incubus (Morning View)

Starting today, for the next 100 days, I’ll be writing about an album that has had a major impact in my life. You’ll find albums old and new on the list – and you’ll probably gain a new perspective or two as well.

Kicking off this list is Incubus and their 2001 album Morning View. Buoyed by the massive hit “Wish You Were Here”, the album is an uplifting triumph of alternative rock.

I can tell you that Morning View is the album that got me through summer school in 2007. I can thank Brandon Boyd’s wonderful voice for helping me pass math. I still hate geometry, but it went smoother since I didn’t let up the replay button on “Echo”. It’s interesting because it was a few weeks later before I met my first love – you never forget those. You really don’t, even if you fall in love with a completely different person someday, your first love – there’s nothing like it. But I digress.

This album is so much more than the (admittedly brilliant” track “Wish You Were Here”, though. “Warning” and “Under My Umbrella” are absolutely some of the best songs in their discography, and the album cover really does prepare you for the equally relaxing and energetic songs contained within – much like the receiving and passing of the tides.

It still holds up 13 years later, too. “Aqueous Transmission” is possibly the most interesting Incubus song ever put to tape. Such relax. Much Incubus. Wow.

“Don’t ever let life pass you by.”

You can listen to the album right here – let it enfold you with its beauty.