Vivid

get a load of Muzz' bass line on Open Letter to a Landlord

Cults of Personality is a straight banger. The rest feels like a lesser tier of Huey Lewis

I listened to the heck out of this album in the 90s. It still rocks, if it's just a bit dated. Great guitar and bass playing. Very high energy, hard rock with some other stylistic elements. All very good!

What a blast from the past. I had this cassette and listened to it quite a bit. Gotta remember late-80s mainstream music wasn’t that great, and this was an excellent alternative to hair metal (pre-grunge). Couple of great covers (Memories Can’t Wait!!). Still has bones!

Opens with Cult of Personality which took me right back to the late 80's. I don't know when I last heard this song but all the grooves are still worn into my brain. The opening riff is worth a star all on its own. I'm not sure how much more I've heard before; I'm perfectly happy to explore further. The lyrics are somewhat hit or miss, though I definitely like the singer. The music has tons of hooks and I find enjoyable to listen to. The song Open Letter is familiar, though honestly a little hokey, but the music carries it. Funny Vibe and Which Way to America are somewhat better. Very fun Clash cover. I like Faith No More and Primus and etc and feel like this is right up my alley. I've told Spotify that I wouldn't mind hearing it again from time to time.

An album that is somewhat idiosyncratic and yet very of it's time. Certainly a unique combination of genres. I want to like this more than I do but I think its the vocal style (and some of the lyrics) that bring it down for me. I am more familiar with guitarist Vernon Reid from his 96 solo album "Mistaken Identify" which I enjoy much more. Even their 93 album "Stain," though generally not rated as highly, is much heavier and more interesting to me.

Living Colour is one of my favorite bands from the 90s. This album is pretty bright, compared to their later albums. I personally prefer 'Time's Up' and 'Stain' to this one, but I understand why they chose this one, as it has "the hit" on it. This album has the song of theirs that I never got into, which was "Glamour Boys". Maybe it's because I'm neither a "Glamour Boy" nor do I consider myself "Fierce." The song seems different, lighter and a little goofier than their later stuff, even with Reid's guitar crunch. But despite that, this album started them on their journey, and everything comes from this album. They've really progressed from here, and you should really check their other stuff if you liked this one.

It's like they've taken all the bits of hair metal that I like and dropped the bits I don't like.

Funk-tastic! This is the shit.

Amazing. From start to finish, this album is funky, rockin' and gets you moving.

Listened to half the album, surprised by how much I liked the yeehaw. Will Deff finish the other half soon.

Really fun album, blends many genres together. Especially love the jazzy parts in particular. Guitar solos are cool and the riffs are good but get repetitive sometimes. Bass is quite prevalent which I always like in music too The opening track, Funny Vibe and Which Way To America are standouts Defo gonna be listening to this again

Totally shocked by this one. I enjoyed it from front to back and loved some of the creativity they had with some tracks. Sadly not all the songs were on Spotify, but the ones I was able to listen to were great. Open Letter (to a landlord) was hilarious, and songs like Funny Vibe and Middle Man were just so catchy I couldn't help myself from having a good time. Great blend of rock and funk.

I expected not to want to revisit this.. i don't have great recollections about Living Colour, but Cult of Personality was way better to listen to again than thinking about it. It holds up. Unfortunately, there's a lot of okay content and then the weird funny vibe. Open Letter is also strong and i give them props for what they were doing at the time.

Funny Vibe is insane. Some of this was good and some of it was so weird.

A little known fact about this record: Living Color were such fans of the 1987 Martin Short movie Innerspace, that they had their drummer and his drum kit shrunk down and placed inside a tin can to to record his parts, achieving the now famous reverb-laden drum sound on Vivid.

Funky rock like a light RHCP. Very early 90s, like it belongs in some action set piece for a Nickelodeon live action show. break out the zubaz and flat tops. I drags on at points. Extended version does not help. Standout tracks: Cult of personality Funny Vibe What’s your Favorite Color?

It’s like the 80’s and 90’s started a fight but ended up just rolling around on the floor with one another.

A bad version of Extreme. And that's a low bar.

I'd forgotten how much I loved this group. Thanks for reminding me!

Vernon Reid is one of rock’s underrated guitar heroes.

That is a banger from start to finish. Say no more, say no less.

Haven't started yet, favorite from my teen years. Love the commentary from black voices, it's great having it present in hard rock from this era. Big thumbs up from me personally, I'm still just a visitor when it comes to sick guitar licks, but Cult of Personality's been close to my hear for many years and more to come

Absolute masterpiece

I was afraid this one wouldn't be much more than just Cult of Personality, so happy I was wrong. More great riffs, great drums, and just a great energy all around

Good rock, would listen again

Concious rock that rocks as hard as it hits

A band I discovered through guitar hero - like many others I expect. A great album, which sounds like a band who have been going for years (rather than a debut from a bunch of new artists).

5/5. This is awesome. It's got a strong Aerosmith vibe, and although that's not my favorite, the soulful vocals and distorted riffs and solos make it stand out. Plus the lyrics of anti-politics, homelessness, the removal of the third place, housing prices, the black experience in Amercia, creates a more powerful album than just heavy music, it's heavy lyrics. I think it is important to note that all members are black. If anyone's got a right to be angry about way life is, it's them. The guitar riffs really shine here, inspired by Rush and Motorhead as well. Just feels like a culmination of every good thing about heavy rock in the 20 years leading up to this made into an album. It rocks. Best Song: Cult Of Personality, Middle Man, Which Way To Your America?, Open Letter (To a Landlord)

Oh yes oh yes! Ooh a talking heads cover oh my this is good. Oh it's over. This album made day go faster by being really fun! I will return for this album! I fully like this album a lot!

A breath of fresh air in a world of big hair. 5

ENERGY

A little dated but pretty awesome honestly. Part Huey Lewis, part Faith No More/RHCP funk.

A unique sound with tremendous playing. Definitely seek out “Desperate People” on YouTube because it isn’t on spotify. It’s one of the best tracks.

Cult Of Personality is a great track. Desperate People is great. Which Way To America is killer. I loved this.

This album goes HARD. I knew 1-2 songs, but it took listening to the whole album to realize how unique this sound was for that time period.

One of the best albums I've got in the past couple of months I'd say. Was familiar with Cult of Personality from tearing it up on Guitar Hero 4 but the rest of the album absolutely blew me away.

Living Colour were far ahead of their time and show how much more dynamic they were and are as a metal band with this album and its myriad influences. Not only do they show their ability to shred with "Cult Of Personality", but there are other genuinely pretty sounding melodic songs on the record as well like "Glamour Boys" and "I Want To Know". Both of these styles are on full display with Corey Glover's epic vocals, which are among the best in rock and surely metal history. Not only that, but one thing that strikes me on many songs on this album is the band's use of rest notes for guitars with the rhythm section still keeping emphatic time. The space between riffs and hooks only make them more impactful, and it's effective throughout the record. Like I've said with other highly-rated albums on this project of mine, this album beautifully blends gorgeous melodies with heavy rock, so this album hits that upper echelon for me. Living Colour is an all-time underrated band in my opinion. Notable Tracks: - Cult Of Personality - I Want To Know - beautiful melodically - Middle Man - Desperate People - Glamour Boys - What's Your Favorite Color? - my favorite funk-forward song on the album 9/10

A rare perfect album. Than you 1001albumsgenerator. I loved every second.

this is almost... pop metal. it's very bold, brash... there's absolutely no doubt it's the loudest craziest metal you've heard but it's very uplifting and oozing with a certain kind of cheese that only the 80s could have. it's like if phil collins wrote rock. it's kickass.

Let's Rock :-)

There's music that sounds cool, and artists that exude cool. Living Colour does both here. Every song is full of personality. Like, an entire cult's worth. 🤭 Standouts are Cult of Personality, Middle Man, Open Letter (To a Landlord), and Funny Vibe.

This album was incredible. I loved the energy. The Talking Heads cover, yeah so much energy. Incredible album and musicianship all around.

I loved this. So fun, great energy, really unique. Another banger from 1001 albums I wouldn't have found on my own!

i only knew cult of personality going into this (thank you guitar hero 3) but i ended up really enjoying this album. it's funky, it's metal, it shreds hard, and has a good message. these guys have serious chops and a cool sound that's somehow simultaneously very unique and very 80s. favorites: i ended up liking all of these on spotify. of those, the favorites are probably cult of personality, open letter to a landlord, what's your favorite color, which way to America, and should i stay or should i go

I honestly really enjoy this. Cult of Personality is a banger of an opening track. Open Letter (To a Landlord) is cool as well. It's all great stuff and I'd love more of it.

Class

Sumarið 1988 hjá mér í hnotskurn. Ein af mest spiluðu plötum í vínilsafninu mínu. Elska þessa orku frá upphafi til enda.

Cult of Personality melted my face off to start this album. What an incredible opener. This album had lots of other highlights to me - going back through the tracklist I also loved Middle Man, Open Letter, Funny Vibe, Memories Can't Wait, What's Your Favorite Color, and Which Way to America. Just a fun, jammy, funky hard rock album that I really enjoyed the whole way through. 4.5 rounded up to 5.

good

Another stunning debut album from a band that had a little bit of everything and sounded fresh even back then. This one still holds up. 9.2/10

I bought this album when it was released and liked it plenty at the time. I'm pretty sure I had the band's first three albums in my collection, and somehow none remain. So I know this album pretty well, though it's been, what? 30 years since I last listened to it. I wasn't prepared for how phenomenal this was. The playing is really really good — Skillings and Calhoun on bass and drums are just incredible. And Vernon Reid... I used to not appreciate his soloing. It seemed to me you could overlay any solo over any rhythm part and it wouldn't matter — like he wasn't even listening to the song. But damn, that was not my sentiment today, and more than that, his rhythm playing and inventiveness with parts is something special. Corey Glover's vocals stood out as another element I underestimated. I mean, I always thought he was good, but I was blown away on this listen. Lyrically, there are spots where they can get a little heavy handed, but that's part of what these guys are all about. I knew I'd enjoy this, but I freakin' loved it.

great!

Rap with a Rock twist. Really liked it ! Cult of Personality - loved it I want to know - Van Halen meets rap Middle Man - loved it Desperate People - I'm loving this album Memories can't wait - best track From a band I somehow never heard of... It's a WOW 5 ⭐

I LOVE this album... brings me back. Great hard rockin' funky stuff. Vernon Reid is great.

Very talented musicians in a hard-driving blend of rock and funk. Be sure to listen to the bonus tracks (remixes).

love Vernon Reid the guy just shreds

Damn. This is why i am doing this proj. For as many stinkers on the list something will come out of nowhere and surprise you. Was fully expecting to hate this. Metal/hard rock from the late 80s? Hard pass. I was thinking i was gonna have my first double 1s two days in a row. But nay! As i start listening i realize that its like they took all the parts of rock that i like, trashed all the parts i dont, and then injected some funk (which of course makes anything better). Shit had me grooving and moving my whole commute home. Varied, interesting, just plain fun to listen to. There were so many times i wanted to rewind to catch a part that made me go “damn wtf??” but in a good way. Trying to find a flaw but i cant, I love it, 5 stars.

Great pace, uplifting 80's hits

Extra points for unexpected Public Enemy.

Hell yes. This album broke our brains in university when it came out. What pissed me off was that I could never play any of this on guitar right at all. Still sounds as killer today as it did long ago. I try to find a highlight but I literally love every single track on this album (ok: "Desperate People" wins) - melodic rock/funk/prog/thrash/soul... incredible musicianship, great vocals, excellent groove, not over-produced... I think I like it. 10/10 5 stars.

When this was new, I think I rated it about a 3…not really my thing, but I could tolerate it. If I were listening for the first time today, it would make it to a 4…I’ve grown in my appreciation of music. However, the listen today comes with a nostalgia boost, that can’t be topped!!

I owned this album back in the day but it's been a long time since I listened. It still holds up! (And listening today reminded me that my bestie and I saw Living Colour on a triple bill with Guns-n-Roses and The Rolling Stones on their Steal Wheels tour. That was a long, long time ago.) Living Colour has a unique melodic hard rock sound that I loved then and still love. Cult of Personality would likely make my list of 50 best rock songs. This was a welcome nostalgia trip.

This rang no bells for me when it came up, but right away I remembered the opening track Cult of Personality. When this came out in ‘88 I didn’t pay it much attention since I didn’t see myself as a hard rock type person. 35 years later I'm the Ecumenical Enchantress of Music - 10-8 and on the side! This is a fantastic album that I dug from start to finish. There are a lot of interesting influences at play here that had me hooked! There is a ton of talent on display and it is put to great effect mixing rock conventions together seamlessly in interesting ways. I heard hints of everything from Megadeth to Culture Club. These guys have guts and skill to pull that off! I really loved this!

fuck yes i really enjoyed it

sonzeira, metal com grooviezao mt bom

Such an incredible rock album. It's amazing how it's the debut album by the band because it's such a strong performance. 5/5. Favorite Track: Cult of Personality

Wow what a record. I had known really only of Living Colour from Guitar Hero but this vibe of rock was just what I needed. Driving around in the first sunlight we’ve seen in Ontario for the last 6 months was 😘👌

This is fantastic - what incredible talent it takes to write such poignant songs & slap with high energy guitars, percussion, brass & vocals. 5 stars.

From the time it was released until this very day, this album has forever been on my list of all time favourite albums. Corey Glover's vocals are incredible, and the rhythm section is to damned tight. I've played this album hundreds of times and will never ever tire of it.

Is this a cult? Because I'll sign up.

Fuck yeah

One of my first organic discoveries of hard rock. Living Colour has informed so much of my outlook on life as well as my moral decisions.

Enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. Favorite song: I Want to Know

STARTS OF GREAT THEN GETS A LITTLE OK THEN ENDS AMAZING.HOW WAS THIS BAND NOT MORE POPULAR.THEY ACTUALLY DO AN AMAZING CLASH COVER!

just for cult of personality it’s automatically 5 stars

Good album

This was a really good one with some absolute hard rock bangers! Enjoyed pretty much every song on the album, there were some amazing solos, and the cover of Should I Stay Or Should I Go on the expanded edition is really good too. Favourite: Cult Of Personality

cool

Hard, funky and soulful.

Bangers up and down the track list. What a vibe.

This is an unexpected 5. Feat. Public Enemy, Mick Jagger, funk bass and occasional socialist undertones. I had Living Colour as UK synth pop in my mind but was way off the mark. A real cool fusion of stuff going on that I’ll have to revisit.

This album is awesome.

A few weeks ago (as I write this in August 2022), my wife and I saw Nate Smith and his band play at the Blue Note in NYC (they were incredible; see Nate Smith if you can), and Vernon Reid, the guitarist from Living Colour, hopped on stage with them for the last 15-20 minutes or so and was absolutely incredible. And I can hear it here. And I loved this album when it came out and I love it now. These guys are fantastic.

I can't believe I hadn't heard of this band.

What a dynamite f'n album. Almost has a bit of that unique rock, funk, and rap feel of Faith No More but even better. Tracks 1-5 are just so full, hard, loud and awesome with such intricate instrument work (and a bit of soaring ballad to boot on Open Letter). I did not realize how incredible a guitar player Vernon Reid is. Yeah, he kills it on Cult of Personality but what he does on I Want to Know, Middle Man, and Desperate People is just as electric. I mean, Muzz Skllings and Will Calhoun are no slouches on bass or drums, but damn the guitar sounds. I also think Corey Glover's vocals are fantastic. Tracks 10 and 11 had a similar pulsing rock vibe (loved Which Way to America) while they seemed to experiment with different sounds a bit more on tracks 6-9. Funny Vibe almost felt like a Rush song with its different time signatures and long bridge to outro. Broken Hearts sounded a bit country. Glamour Boys sounds like a more rocked-up combo of Jimmy Buffet and Gloria Estefan. Whatever the case, I loved this album. It may have just rocketed into my top 25 all-time favorite albums I loved it that much.

I remember hearing "Cult of Personality" back when the single was released and rushing out to buy the album. That song has to be one of best singles released in 1988. The rest of the album is good, including a great cover of the Talking Heads' "Memories can Wait." The only thing that detracts from it a little is the production. The mix of songwriting and musicianship on this debut album are so strong though that you can easily forgive that. A sure 5 star album from start to finish!

Brilliant! Loved every song!

Good album.

I had no idea. Amazing.

This was great. I remember this leading to a bit of a funk-metal craze at the time, but they were missing the whole free form thing that Vernon Reid was throwing out there. This is still their best integration of all that.

what a band and songs with a message or commentary about the times. Great to hear a full album of theirs, it’s been ages

This album is a revelation for me. Through METAL - funk opened up to me in a new way. It's such a groove and drive! The brightest interweaving in the album of electronic and instrumental heavy music, with hop and funk. Bests - "Whats your favorite color?" and "Middle Man"

Yasss. I owned and played this tape until it died. Loved it and never understood why they never achieved this high again.

Back to being young again!

Qué buen y entretenido disco. Conocía la de Cult Of Personality que salía en el Guitar Hero (y que Casper dominaba) pero nunca le había dado play al disco completo. Hasta la versión extendida me gustó. Creo que mi parte favorita es la mezcla de guitarras pesadas con ondas funk y las voces que no son exactamente metaleras y entonces le dan una textura extra.

the opening track is awesome, really sets you up for the whole album! love it’!

There's a lot that I should say about this album

Tellement bon , un classique vraiment 5*

Open Letter (to a Landlord) is a tune and still applicable mostly Which Way to America? is very topical and current still. Memories can't wait cover is excellent, catches the song very well but still made it their own and arguably better. Tasty, tight and short 11 track album. Bonus track: Should I Stay or Should I Go cover was unexpected but very good with double time, small lyric tweaks and no spanish backing vocals which are odd choices.