3. Living Colour - Vivid
In 1988 coming from the same scene as 24-7 Spyz & Fishbone, Living Colour brought a colourful and funky vibe to the hard rock scene that
was being saturated by hair metal bands. The members had all belonged to the Black Rock Coalition (an organization for black musicians who
wanted to play 'rock' music).The band was also championed by Mick Jagger who helped finance some demos.
The album opened with what is probably the most well known track 'Cult Of Personality' a political charged headbanger, complete with a crushing riff from
guitarist Vernon Reid (this song even won a grammy in 1990). Youtube video of Cult Of Personality live 1989
However this is not the best track on this album. In my humble opinion this was the Caribbean
flavoured 'Glamour Boys' a song that the RHCP would've killed for, especially in 1988.
Other outstanding songs are the angry rocking 'Middle Man' and the sombre 'Open Letter (To The Landlord)'.The album is consistently good with no
fillers even the Talking Heads Cover 'Memories Can't Wait' (Which I didn't realise was a cover, as never really being a fan) is outstanding.
So go and revisit this album it's worth it and remember without this we would unlikely to have Rage Against The Machine or The Red Hot Chili Peppers
in the mainstream. Also if you pick up the re-released version or listen on Spotify you'll have the added bonus of a funky version of the Clash's
'Should I Stay Or Should I Go?'
WHY I ♥ THIS ALBUM
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| Raw Magazine Review |
It was March 14th 1989, I am at Hammersmith Odeon in West London to see Anthrax on their 'Road To Euphoria' tour. I had heard that Living Colour were
supporting the 'Thrax' but unlike many of the people who had bought tickets, I wanted to see them. I had heard only 2 tracks by them at that time 'Funny Vibe' and 'Cult'on
Radio 210 (Brian Pithers RIP), They kicked off with 'Memories' to a hall with only about 300 people in.
However the band tore the place apart with riff after riff. Corey Glover's vocals were outstanding.The sound was crystal clear for a support band (Kudos for Anthrax for that).
I was pleased the audience were really into it and not treating the performance with the indifference that the majority of the people in the bar were.
I feel those outside missed out on something special that night in Hammersmith.
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