Reviews (page 3 of 8)
I only knew the opening track before going in to this, and I like it a lot, so it was nice to find out that the rest of the album is pretty good too. It never gets back to the heights of Cult of Personality in terms of heaviness, but the rest of the album explains how they got to that point. The instrumental work is crazy good; all three instruments are played exceedingly well, especially the bass. The singer's voice has got some real range and he can sustain a note CLEANLY for a long time, unlike so many of his contemporaries. I like the mixup of punk, metal, funk, and a pile of other things. There are so many bands that say that they do all those, but Living Colour actually does. They even go in to butt rock a bit, and Glamour Boys is either the best satire done in a long time or just a lyrical misunderstanding with the backing track. I'm sure it's the former, but I like to think it's the latter. The only complaint I have here is some of the lyrics are corny - "I Want To Know" coming after "Cult of Personality" should be a crime. Also that Spotify somehow is missing two of the original tracks for some stupid legal reason I'm sure. More of this kind of stuff please.
I'm disappointed this didn't have at least one Fire Marshall Bill" skit. No "Homie the Clown"? No "Handi-man"?! WHERE ARE THE FLY GIRLS?
Another great discovery from the list. Hard rock with a funky twist that sounds impressive and doesn't bore even after all the eleven tracks.
Definitely enjoyed this one- very solid rock album. Plenty of heavy guitars, forceful vocals, and tight rhythms. The bass got funky at parts too, which was a cool addition. The compositions themselves mostly weren't overly complicated or involved, but were strong in their straightforwardness. Certain parts did take it up a notch, too. The strongest part to me was probably the guitar, which showed some interesting flair and range. At times it screamed through, while others was more subtle. It seemed like it started heavier, but expanded as the album went on. It had a slide-like quality to start on Broken Hearts, one of the softer songs on the album, then came back up to rock out a solo. It was funkier on Favorite Color and Which Way, though the latter had plenty of grit when the solo came on. You could tell the player really was skilled based on how it shined through on each song. If there is a negative, it's really just that some of the tracks weren't very distinct from each other. A few did change up the pace to help with that (especially later on the album), so it wasn't overly distracting. I can't really point out anything as being bad. The only other critique I have is that there isn't anything necessarily better than very good to me. It's another album that has no weak parts, but also doesn't really hit greatness. That said, it's still quality music and something I enjoyed a lot. It sits near the top of the good range. Overall: 4/5
Straight-up fun, but not much else
Really good rock music from the late 80s. Looking back, most of the rock music I listened to back then doesn’t hold up. But this was really enjoyable.
Good genre bending hair metal, enjoyed it.
If every song was as strong as the opening track,' Cult of Personality' this would be a 5/5 album and one of the best hard rock/heavy metal albums of all time, unfortunately, 'Cult of Personality' is by far the best song on the album, fortunately the other 10 tracks are all good and often very good. The 11 songs on Livid are all over the place genre wise from funk, hard rock, hardcore, avant-jazz, metal and whatever else I'm missing with strong performances linking them all and forming a definitive style all in living colour! Mick Jagger (yes THAT Mick Jagger) plays harmonica on track 8 and does backing vocals on track 9. A walloping feral debut. ACE!
Hell yeah! Woke me up with some excitement. Hard to beat Cult of Personality
A series of timeless bangers that’s held back by everything slow, where the music sounds super dated. This one would be a 5 if they cut out about half of “Open Letter (To a Landlord) and the entirety of “Broken Hearts”.
3.5/5
Colour me surprised when these guys released Cult of Personality and I heard it on the radio and was instantly hooked. Amazing guitar work, strong vocals, really good drums and bass. Bought the CD and loved it. They came out of nowhere! Saw them on tour opening for The Stones and there were people actually booing them because they wanted to see The Stones. Granted, I still don't think it was a good fit for a opening band for a bunch of old dudes and Stones fans, but who am I to question that when I'm only 13 years old? Living Colour really defined my early teen years and this album was the catalyst. Love it still very much to this day. 3.5/5 stars. PS: Do not miss their cover of Talking Heads' Memories Can't Wait, it's outstanding and one of the best songs on this album.
Know cult of personality from guitar hero but haven't heard anything else so glad this came up. Is there another 80s rock/metal group with any black members? Living colour really shine a light on how narrow that whole genre is. I think they stand out musically too, really good as a straight up rock band mostly at the start of the album but the funk that is more prevalent towards the end really works too. Lyrics were more interesting than their peers, no questionable lines about girls. This isn't a genre I'm super keen on so I don't think I could give it a 5 but it's better than almost all of the other similar bands so 4.5.
Hadn't heard of living colour before. It's kinda like a mix of early rhcp and faith no more in parts, which sounds right up my street! Some really nice funky sounding bass. There were some tracks I wasn't convinced by though, didn't rate "glamour boys" or "the should I stay or should I go" cover. But there were some good tracks too, "cult of personality", "middle man"were good. Might give this another go but 3.5
Heavy Metal is not my thing... generally. This album, however, is such a bright spot for metal in the 1980s. It harkens back to Rock's origins in the late 60s and early 70s with the big sound of the 80s. It's witty and accessible without compromise. The songs go beyond hooks without losing a sense of playfulness and fun. This was a surprise as I missed this one back in the 80s when it arrived. Shame on me.
Cult of Personality is the opener and a classic. And although I don't feel that the album ever reaches those heights again it is still overall very good.
Cult of Personality opens the album, but I think the second side of the record is the best.
Love this album. It's hard to believe I didn't have it in my rather small collection—so very relevant today. In a world of George Michael, Tracy Chapman, and Dirty Dancing, these guys hit hard. Seeing these guys rock on MTV was amazing to me.
Love it, who the RHCP wanted to be
Good songs, strong musicianship. Vernon’s licks can only be heard so many times before I have to press Next.
Think I have to give this a proper 4.5 due to some corny lyrics and no true standout tracks beyond the one I already knew. But hey. On a 12 hour drive. This woke me up. Some really great inventive rock with heart. Awesome stuff.
Absolute BANGER of an album opener. Not only one of the best opening songs of all time, Cult of Personality is one of the best songs ever made. Open Letter (to a Landlord), Memories Can’t Wait, Glamour Boys, and What’s Your Favorite Color and timeless and awesome. I love this album, and I think Living Colour is possibly the most criminally underrated rock band of all time. I also think that there are parts of this album that start to show its age. I’m really torn between four star and five star. On one hand, I don’t think it’s as good as most of the other albums that I have in the five star group. On the other hand, I’m very cognizant of the influence that it had on music, Culture, and me personally. And in those areas, it’s an easy five star.
Cult of Personality was already well known to me, but this was a nice surprise!
Album is a mix of things, and I like most of them! Pretty unique. 3.8
Arrancamos martes (último análisis de la semana) con esta banda noventosa a morir. Me recuerda a otros proyectos como Faith No More, sólo que con letras más críticas. Irónicas. Me despido hasta la semana que viene.
Cult of Personality is a jam. I had not heard any of the other songs on this album. It's hard rock that is fine, even if sometimes I cringe a bit at the lyrical content and the cover of the album essentially looking as early 90's as possible. I don't know how they pulled off Open Letter (To a Landlord) because based just on the title the song should not have been very good. The good news is this album is not from the 90's, so Living Colour were ahead of their time in that aspect. This is a pretty good album and I understand why it is in the book. The musicianship is strong and the sound is a fun listen. The songs aren't as strong as I would like to give this one 5-stars. My favorite tracks were: Cult of Personality I Want to Know Open Letter (To a Landlord) Memories Can't Wait Glamour Boys
Look in my eyyyyyyes, what do you see? They never topped Cult of Personality but this is a great album for its time and genre. I’m torn on whether race helped or hurt them.
I have never really listened to these guys beyond cult of personality, which is a great song, but I just never have listened to anything more, but this album was a great one! I enjoyed the whole thing!
#100 - really enjoyed this, quite unique energy!
Cult of Personality is yet another proof of how the Grand Theft Auto series has shaped my musical taste over the years. I'll probably forget the other songs on this album. I'll probably even forget the name of the album. But Cult Of Personality will always have a special place in my memories.
Gave it a 4 last time I reviewed, I give it a 4 again. “Cult of Personality” is a banger. It’s funky and energetic. To summarise, it’s fun and enjoyable and definitely worth listening to.
Great stuff. Way more Glam than I remember, and that works in the album’s benefit. Enjoyed a lot. Guitar Hero 3 classic.
This was interesting. Rock music with some real creativity in it.
85% Best: Cult of Personality; Middle Man; Open Letter (To a Landlord); Glamour Boys; What's Your Favourite Color?; Which Way to America Must-Hear? Sure
Man, cult of personality is a tough listen in the US in 2025.
Charming, Catchy, nice production
This was a bit “80’s” for me, but it was saved by being a bit Guitar Hero also. I dug the overall vibe and would put this on again. Cult Of Personality was def the hit.
эх... сразу вспоминается как я в молодости гнал по шоссе на только что угнанной машине, включал Radio X на всю громкость и наслаждался звуками рока... а потом домой, на родную Grove Street...
Favorite Track: Cult of Personality
WOah, they did cult of personality
Like a lot of people my age, I'm sure, I was introduced to Living Colour through Guitar Hero 3. I'd never heard of them, "Cult of Personality," or even the term "cult of personality" before that game. In all honesty, I never sought out any more information about the band or any of their music since then. Until this. I regret not hearing more of them sooner. This album isn't perfect (at times feels a little too produced, a little too polished) but it really hits, man. I was struck by the sheer variety in sound here. You have hard-hitting stuff like "Cult of Personality," lighter, even poppier stuff like "I Want to Know," and bluesy stuff like "Middle Man." And that's just the first three tracks. Hell, there's a TALKING HEADS COVER on here in "Memories Can't Wait," which is a rare case of me liking the cover more than the original. There's even some schmaltzy, very 80's social message content in "Open Letter (To a Landlord)." Elements of hard rock, funk, soul, blues, R&B, and even some jazz, all on one album from one group of musicians. I rag on albums for sounding so samey throughout their track list. You can't accuse this album of that. It isn't all perfect, but it's all definitely them. The genres shift, the sound and attitude do not. The personality is consistent. And to me, that's key to a great album. I loved this. I want more of them. Four stars. Standout Tracks: Cult of Personality, Middle Man, Funny Vibe, Memories Can't Wait
Some new stuff to add to to library
Chad black men metal. First 3 songs and Memories Can't Wait are great.
Love this album and had it on cassette in the late 80s/early 90s. This is what I always want Prince to sound like when I spin up one of his records (and am inevitably underwhelmed). Kick ass hard rock with social commentary that still manages to remain upbeat and retain its pop sensibility.
Pretty cool album with a bunch of different vibes on it
Another one where it started and I was a little bit weary and then within a minute, fell in love. Very easy to listen to, very fun!
They really are Middle Men, sitting somewhere in the overlap of the Venn diagram created by heavy metal, pop, funk, and even hip hop. The opening moments of Open Letter would even sound at home in a big theatrical stage production like Rent (Glover has one hell of a voice). As four black men playing a blend of hard rock that resists easy categorization, these guys defy all musical stereotypes.
I always wondered why these guys were one-hit wonders. As I fully enjoyed Cult of Personality, I could see them vividly (hehe see what I did there) dancing on stage. Rolling into track two and beyond, the edgy rock started to slide a little into an 80's pop sound but still a great vibe. The blend of rock, synth and funk are enjoyable. I also liked the social message themed throughout which was either way ahead of its time or we are still sadly SADLY dealing with the same shit with no resolve.
Love Cult of Personality! The other tracks are really cool, too. Living Colour has a very unique sound that combines so many different influences.
This was not what I expected. The genre descriptions of Living Color were a bit misleading. This was much more hard/funk rock than metal. Their blending of the different styles is well executed. Production, arrangements, and writing are good and this album is fun to listen to.
I knew “Cult of Personality” before this, but I had no idea that the rest of the record was filled with quality tracks. There are extremely technical guitar solos, insane bass parts, and powerful drum beats.
Funky rock, energetic and fun. “Cult of Personality” hits as hard as it always did. There are some weird tracks with some mixed up genres, such as “Which Way To America”, but their cover of “Should I Stay or Should I Go” originally by The Clash was kick ass. All-in-all I enjoyed it. Lots of powerful bass lines, good guitar riffs and cool vocals. Might not be as relevant as it was back in the late 80s, but it’s still cool.
First things first, Cult of Personality is probably one of the best opening tracks to any album I heard. It pretty much defines what Vivid is going to be: high energy, catchy, and bombastic. From the memorable opening riff to Corey Glover belting the song title syllable by syllable, it might be a contender for my top ten 80’s songs. But everybody knows about Cult of Personality. What about the rest of the album? I’ll admit, the rest of Vivid doesn’t really reach that level Cult sets in the beginning. It does set a very high bar, so the task would be difficult. And some of the lyrics in a few of the songs are a little silly (Glamour Boys especially). But outside of that, shit still slaps. It feels differently apart from the other numerous hair metal bands at the time, outperforming them in the fields of guitar and whatnot. Some might say this album is only worth it for “that” song. I think there is more to like on it. Favorite track: Cult of Personality Other hits: Open Letter (To A Landlord), Glamour Boys, What’s Your Favorite Color, Which Way to America, I Want to Know
Starting strong with Cult of Personality. This album is all over the place, but is totally cohesive. You can feel all the influence from punk, rock, hard rock.. to prince and pop. A fantastic finishing song and a few tracks I'll probably go back to. Good stuff.
This was different in a good way. I always loved Cult of Personality (introduced it by Guitar Hero). After that I didn't know a lot about the band, so this was really interesting. Some songs went kind of different directions (Funny Vibe) but it fit with their overall aesthetic and musical genre. Metal, 80's-90's rock is so dominated by white males and hearing a different perspective on the genre was really awesome. Moments reminded me of other artists (Kravitz) but not so much that it was copying. And props to Vernon Reid, I do not understand how he is not on my top guitarist lists (racism doesn't exist right), he is fabulous and extremely talented.
"Coked Up Personality" is a late 80's classic. I heard it so many times in my youth that it's become one of those played out hits for me but I tried to listen to it with fresh ears and yes, I agree that it shreds. I Want to Know You is cheezy and shlocky. Middle Men has some cool riffs. It's like boogie metal. Open Letter to The Landlord has a groovy bass line and I understand that they are addressing an important social issue but I kinda feel like I'm at a surreal city council meeting. Funny Vibe... awesome guitar riffs that build to a bass popping boogie. Yes! Then the lyrics kick in and I'm like... wtf? Hi, I'm not a rapist and I'm not gonna beat you up baby so why you acting funny? I totally did NOT understand what was happening. Then I remembered that I'm white. Got it. Memories Can't Wait - this is pretty innovative metal. Better than most metal w some interesting fusion. Glamour Boys... feels like I'm on a Cruise Ship. Cruise Ship Metal is slightly different than Yacht Rock. What's Your Favorite Color? - soul soul soul. Which Way to America - Great Funk Metal Fusion. Awesome album!
This is a very interesting combination of mostly late 80’s hair metal and a touch of that early 90’s street vibe which would put this ahead of its time. Nearly four decades later, “Cult of Personality” still headbangs righteously with its phenomenal melodic aggression and passion. The guitar player, Vernon Reid, shreds better and harder than most more famous guitarists, and I’m not sure why he’s not a household name. Hearing “Glamour Boys” was surreal because I literally haven’t heard it since 1989. I forgot it existed, and I like it! Overall, I’m a little on the fence here simply because my brain has never even considered a hair metal/hip hop hybrid, Run DMC’s take on Walk This Way aside, because I’ve never liked that song, and certainly not enough to think deeply about its dynamics. I’m gonna go high here because I believe the more I let this digest, the more it will become a favorite.
They sound so much like Lenny Kravitz to me, but this album actually came out a year before Lenny’s first one. So kudos to them for this unique version of rock and roll. It’s an interesting style. There’s some serious guitar rocking going on and some big drums too, but then the vocals are more friendly/poppy than edgy rock and roll. But hey, it’s kind of their own thing and it works for them. Cult of Personality is a great hit, and there are a lot of other fun tunes on here too.
Enjoyed this much more than i thought i would
Great album! I remember hearing Cult of Personality the first time which was really their only hit that got much recognition and it was new and exciting. Way overplayed on the radio though lol. Good solid rock album and listening to the rest of the album I was pleasantly surprised because there were some really well written songs on it. I don’t believe I ever had heard more than maybe 1 or 2 off this album. Some great slower songs and everything honestly was very solid. I was a very picky guitarist back then and always thought Vernon was way overrated as a guitarist. People started commenting he was the next Hendrix and I was like no lol. People went nuts over him. Sloppy as hell lead guitarist when he tried to really fly and wasn’t a fan of his faster solos. But…hearing the rest of the album he’s actually got some really well constructed songs. Some of his slower stuff was really impressive. And that was sort of his style so I won’t rip it much. Great album. Very new sound at the time and a great mix of different styles on this album.
I’m upset I have never listened to Living Colour until now. This album had just a little bit of everything. There were elements of jazz, pop, early rap & soul… oh and shit load of heavy rock! That being said, I feel that they were able to incorporate all these elements in a way that created such a unique sound. I also appreciated the way they implemented their own personal experiences and social commentaries of that time into the album in such a subtle manner. Overall, this was a fun listen and I’m glad I was able to discover them!
From my years of watching on TV/playing the WWE video games, I LOVE Cult of Personality (CM Punk’s intro music lol). While the lyrics are a little lame, the guitar is fucking awesome throughout. Kickass way to start off the album. Unfortunately there is a common theme to this album, while they can shred on guitar, the lyrics are lackluster. I can usually excuse ridiculous lyrics when the music makes up for it (I’m talking about you Dire Straits) but the whole album’s lyrics just did not do it for me. I did enjoy the solos throughout and they had a good 80’s rock sound to them. Would give it a 3.5 if I could but because a get the nostalgia from Cult of Personality and that song does rip, I’ll round up instead of down.
Fun and loud. This was maybe the last hurrah for 80s rock before grunge took over, and you'd never hear this style again. Lots of 80s era Red Hot Chili Pepper influence, to my ear.
просто добротная тема, без присущего данному жанру скуф хард рока всяких вокальных визгов криков оров поросячих
Pretty good tracks. Energy pretty good too.
I was afraid that this album was going to stand on the power of Cult of Personality but am pleased I was wrong! Some really great rock, with phenomenal vocals and story telling. A few songs toward the middle-back half that paled in comparison to some early tracks, but Which Way to America is a great closer. 4/5
An album that is inexplicably both unbelievably strange and yet I fully understand why it was so popular. The late 80s were kinda dire in terms of popular music, this is an exception (Side note, but while listening to this I thought that living colour was kind of a rock parallel to public enemy, then lo and behold chuck d and flavor flav jumpscared me in the middle of a song) Will be listening again
This is good stuff. These songs, though very of their time, can still hit hard. I like how it straddles the line of many different genres (Funk, rock, metal, etc.)
A weird but great album. Glover and Reid are incomparable talents. Production is a little too glossy.
Good energy
Nothing groundbreaking but I had a lot of fun listening
Vivid is a tough record to rate, and that’s mainly because it kicks off with one of the best metal songs of all time in “Cult of Personality.” That song alone is a 5-star song; I wouldn’t change a single aspect about it, and its power is cross-cultural and cross-generational. But when you start a record off on one of the highest high notes possible, the only place you can go from there is down. Which sucks, because if you removed “Cult of Personality” entirely from this record, you’d still have a very, very good late-80s metal record on your hands! To be sure that I wasn’t insane, I literally did a second listen starting on “I Want to Know,” which is also a great track, and would be a great opener for another band. Most of the record is very worthy of praise and respect, actually. From Glover’s stunning vocals to Reid’s illogical but somehow comprehensible shredding to Calhoun balancing funk and metal flawlessly with his drumming, Living Colour are a great band, and the political commentary only adds to it. There are some reallyyy shining tracking on here, including “Open Letter,” Glamour Boys” and “Which Way to America?!” Honestly, despite the dubs of “Middle Man” (a fairly copy-paste hair metal vibe) and the choice to do a cover with “Memories Can’t Wait” (which I hate mostly because I hate Talking Heads), Vivid is a consistent record. Arguably a top 20 funk metal record, if only because that’s a subgenre with tight competition, and/or, for the genre-flexible in the crowd, a top 5 hair metal record. I could see how these positives are negatives to some, but I’m a girl who likes political records, hair metal, and funk, so this is right up my alley for a lot of reasons. If you can look paste the brilliance of the opener, there’s a great record to follow. Dismiss it as a one-hit wonder, but I think it’s stood the test of time, and maybe is more powerful today.
Huh. That was interesting. But you know what? I really liked this album! It kind of gives me Fishbone vibes, which is not a bad thing seeing as I gave their album a 5. I wouldn't go that far with this album, but it's still great. This album does kind of get knocked down a few points on the cultural impact scale on account of suffering from "One Song with Cultural Impact and then a Bunch of Obscure Ones" syndrome though. As far as that one song goes, I love "Cult of Personality." It's just such a cool song. The other ones are okay, but the album really does just come out swinging with its opener and then not hit that high for the rest of the album. The album is a bit repetitive in the sound department, but when the sound is as unique as it is, it hardly matters. The sound of this album is just so fun! It's great. The singing is interesting. The writing is pretty good. I think this is a solid album. I can see why it might not appeal to others, but I really like it for what it is. 4/5.
80/100. Anchored by the iconic 'Cult of Personality,' which stands out as an all-time great, the album radiates energy and skill.
HL: "CULT OF PERSONALITY", "I Want to Know", "Open Letter", "Funny Vibe", “Which Way to America” unexpected Public Enemy. unexpected Talking Heads. Shit even Jagger is on this album Remarkable relic of the hair metal era; Living Colour, along with Fishbone, provide some much needed funk rock that isn’t the Red Hot Chili Peppers or Faith No More. The 1988ish production maybe robs their debut of a little bite, but I still had a lot of fun with this. Also, a Guitar Hero 3 classic 🎸 November 17, 2024
I would have loved this in high school.
Yet another that was underwhelming on first but I enjoyed it much more second time around. Love the funkiness
What an unbelievable opener, cult fires all the cylinders, and fires them hard, whatever that may mean. One of the greatest songs of all time, easily. Cool riff, cool solo, cool lyrics, cool structure ( try drumming along with the 4-3 bits) Love the metal adjacent fun rock of the rest of it. Fuck landlords. Mick played the harmonica!? I am going to have to explore these fellows more deeply but I have known that for a while .
I really enjoyed this. Metal/rock with jazzy/hip-hop kinds of influence was fun and different. 4.5/5
4.5 stars. Got some Aerosmith vibes, but really it crossed over lots of genres and did a good job of infusing lots of different styles. Lyrically it was culturally salient social commentary. Standouts are the catchy "Cult of Personality", "Middle Man", and "Funny Vibe".
What's missing from a lot of reviews here is what a groundbreaking album this band put out. 1988 was a time when the rock and rap worlds were gatekeeping their music - from a racial perspective. When a black band shredded their way into rock at the height of hair metal things changed. Living Colour's Vivid may sound dated but trust me this album did so much for cultural relations than for the music - which is fantastic by the way. 4/5.
Well, I did not expect these guys to show up. 17 year old me was blown away by this album, but I’d say their second “Time’s Up” Is better.
2 songs unavailable on spotify:/
First Song alone gives it 4 stars. The rest of the album is fine.
Quite a good, rockin album. Cult of Personality is a classic song. Doug Wimbish is on fire here, great bass lines. Very Princey in some spots. 👍
The late 80s and early 90s were filled with bands attempting to cross rock, funk, soul, and metal, but few did it as well (and none as successfully) as Living Colour did. Vivid is a bold album that made an immediate mark with the lead single "Cult of Personality" -- a song I still remember hearing for the first time. And as much as I played and replayed that album in the year of its release, this was my first re-listen in decades. It has aged quite well; like all releases from that era, there are some production choices and songwriting gimmicks that feel off today, but on balance, its still a very solid debut. Cult of Personality, Desperate People, Memories Can Wait, and Open Letter to a Landlords still reflect a far more mature band than one would expect to find on a debut. Even more impressive is how ahead of their time the message of their lyrics are, directly addressing gentrification, drug addiction, racism, and economic inequity throughout. Despite all of that, the album does suffer somewhat from the band's legacy. LC's following albums -- especially Times Up, Stained, and the Biscuits EP -- demonstrate fantastic growth and maturation as musicians and as a band, leaving Vivid feeling undeveloped by comparison. Filler tracks like What's Your Favorite Color, and I Want to Know do little to change that perception. Nonetheless, the album still impresses in countless ways. 3.5/5 stars. Hey Spotify: please do whatever needs to be done in order to get Broken Hearts back on rotation.
One for the "what ever happened to my cassette of this album?" pile. A delightful blast from the past, even if I was halfway through it before I realized I didn't actually know what was on this album and what was on their second, "Time's Up." Skillful mix of metal, pop, and soul.
The guitarist and the bassist were cooking all over this, just a shred-fest but still with solid songwriting.
Much better album than I remember.
Cult of Personality still one of the greatest bangers of all time. The other songs are pretty great too.
This was much more my jam. Only really think it's a 3 star album, middle of the toad,but last few albums have been so shite maybe good music is just more rare than I thought
Very good hard rock album that includes 3 big hits. Great guitar. Unique because the band is black.
Veel lekkerder dan verwacht is blijkbaar funkmetal, vind het heerlijk
I had forgotten how much I liked this album
Amazing playing all around. Dated tones that are a bit 80’s, but it works for this album. Definitely quite a few bangers on this album. I’m not completely sure what I think about the song writing, but it’s definitely a repeat listen type of album. Prog rock, 80’s pop/rock, arena rock, and jazz fusion combine for something quite special here.
It definitely has that late-80's (early days of CDs) hard-rock sound. Still a better album than anything recorded by Ratt or Motley Crue in the same timeframe. I saw Living Color at the first Lollapalooza and loved their energy. I think too many people made a big deal that they were a hard-rock band of black musicians. These guys just rock. It's not my preferred style, but I'll give them credit where due.
### **Album Review: "Vivid" by Living Colour** Released in 1988, *Vivid* marked the debut of Living Colour, a New York-based rock band known for their eclectic fusion of rock, funk, jazz, and hip-hop. With its powerful mix of socially conscious lyrics, genre-blending musicality, and a unique production style, *Vivid* remains an influential album in the annals of rock music. Below, we'll explore the album in depth, focusing on its lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, as well as its strengths and weaknesses. #### **1. Lyrics** The lyrics of *Vivid* are pointed, incisive, and unapologetically political. Living Colour uses their songs to address topics such as racial injustice, consumerism, and identity, blending personal reflections with broader societal critiques. - **"Cult of Personality"**: The album's lead single and biggest hit, "Cult of Personality," is a scathing critique of charismatic leaders and the blind adoration they often inspire. Referencing figures like Mussolini, Gandhi, and Kennedy, the song questions the allure of powerful personalities regardless of their intentions or actions. The lyrics juxtapose these figures to illustrate how charisma can be manipulated for both good and evil. - **"Open Letter (To a Landlord)"**: This track serves as a poignant indictment of gentrification and the impact of systemic displacement on urban communities. Corey Glover's impassioned delivery underscores the personal loss and upheaval experienced by those who are forcibly removed from their homes. The lyrics convey both anger and sadness, as they challenge those who profit from the destruction of communities. - **"Funny Vibe"**: A more direct commentary on racial profiling and the prejudice that Black people face in everyday situations, "Funny Vibe" uses humor and irony to address serious issues. The song’s title refers to the “vibes” that people give off when they perceive someone to be out of place due to race, highlighting the absurdity and harm of such perceptions. - **"Glamour Boys"**: With its playful, satirical lyrics, "Glamour Boys" critiques the superficiality of the entertainment industry and the obsession with image over substance. The lyrics juxtapose glitzy exteriors with empty inner lives, showcasing the dissonance between public perception and reality. - **"Which Way to America?"**: The closing track is a stark criticism of economic disparity and the myth of the American Dream. It tackles the idea that opportunity is equally available to all, juxtaposing the privileges of wealth with the struggles of poverty. The song's lyrics are blunt and direct, employing vivid imagery to question the values of American society. **Pros:** The lyrics of *Vivid* are intellectually engaging, offering sharp critiques of social and political issues. They challenge listeners to think critically about power structures, racism, and economic inequality, delivering their messages with both directness and wit. **Cons:** Some listeners may find the lyrics too confrontational or overtly political, which could detract from the enjoyment for those seeking purely escapist music. The heavy focus on social critique might feel dated in some places, though the themes largely remain relevant. #### **2. Music** Musically, *Vivid* is an adventurous blend of rock, funk, metal, jazz, and hip-hop, characterized by its dynamic instrumentation, intricate arrangements, and genre-crossing appeal. - **Guitar Work**: Vernon Reid's guitar work is the album's standout feature. His playing is versatile, incorporating everything from heavy metal riffing and funk rhythms to jazz-influenced improvisation and avant-garde noise. On "Cult of Personality," Reid's guitar solo is a frenetic burst of energy, mixing fast runs with unconventional sounds. This eclecticism keeps the album musically unpredictable and compelling. - **Rhythm Section**: Will Calhoun (drums) and Muzz Skillings (bass) provide a robust rhythmic foundation. Calhoun's drumming is tight and varied, capable of switching between hard rock aggression and more intricate jazz rhythms, while Skillings' bass lines add a groove that infuses even the heaviest tracks with funk and soul. Tracks like "Funny Vibe" and "Desperate People" showcase this synergy, where complex rhythms and bass lines elevate the songs beyond standard rock fare. - **Vocal Delivery**: Corey Glover's vocal range is another highlight. He transitions seamlessly from soulful crooning to rock belting, capable of conveying both vulnerability and anger. His performance on "Open Letter (To a Landlord)" is particularly emotive, adding a layer of sincerity to the lyrics' social critique. - **Genre Fusion**: Living Colour's fearless genre fusion is perhaps best exemplified on "Funny Vibe," which mixes rock, funk, and hip-hop elements, including a guest rap by Public Enemy’s Chuck D and Flavor Flav. This blend of genres is groundbreaking for its time, predating the mainstream crossover of rock and hip-hop by several years. **Pros:** The band's musicianship is exceptional, marked by technical proficiency and creativity. The genre fusion makes *Vivid* sound fresh and distinctive, appealing to fans of multiple musical styles. The album's diversity keeps it engaging from start to finish, with each track offering something new. **Cons:** The eclectic nature of the music can feel disjointed at times. For some listeners, the frequent shifts in style may disrupt the album's flow. Additionally, the band's experimental approach might not appeal to purists of any one genre. #### **3. Production** *Vivid* was produced by Ed Stasium, known for his work with The Ramones and Talking Heads, and mixed by several engineers, including Mick Jagger, who also contributed backing vocals on "Glamour Boys." The production quality is clean, precise, and radio-friendly, which helped the album appeal to a broad audience. - **Sound Clarity**: The production is sharp, with each instrument clearly defined in the mix. Reid's guitar is often front and center, with a bright, punchy tone that cuts through the mix. The drums are crisp and well-balanced, providing a solid backbone without overpowering other elements. - **Dynamic Range**: The album maintains a good dynamic range, allowing the songs to breathe and build. This is particularly effective in tracks like "Open Letter (To a Landlord)" and "Cult of Personality," where shifts in dynamics enhance the emotional impact of the lyrics. - **Layering and Effects**: Stasium's production also employs layering and effects to create depth and texture. This is evident in the use of reverb and delay on Glover's vocals and Reid's guitar, which add atmosphere to songs like "Memories Can't Wait" and "Broken Hearts." **Pros:** The production of *Vivid* is polished and professional, enhancing the band's musical abilities and making the album accessible to mainstream listeners. The clarity and balance in the mix ensure that each element of the music is heard distinctly. **Cons:** While the production is clean, it can sometimes feel too polished, potentially stripping away some of the raw energy that a band like Living Colour might exude in a live setting. The radio-friendly mix may come across as somewhat sanitized for listeners seeking a grittier, more organic sound. #### **4. Themes** *Vivid* is unified by its exploration of themes related to race, social justice, identity, and personal empowerment. The album's lyrical and musical content reflects Living Colour's experiences as a Black rock band in a predominantly white genre, making it a pioneering work in the fight against racial stereotyping in rock music. - **Racial Identity and Stereotypes**: Several songs, such as "Funny Vibe" and "Glamour Boys," tackle racial identity and stereotypes directly. Living Colour confronts the listener with the realities of prejudice and challenges the notion that Black musicians should conform to specific genres or styles. - **Social and Economic Justice**: "Open Letter (To a Landlord)" and "Which Way to America?" are potent commentaries on social and economic inequalities. These tracks address gentrification, displacement, and the myth of the American Dream, urging listeners to consider the disparities in opportunity and quality of life. - **Empowerment and Authenticity**: There is a recurring theme of personal empowerment and authenticity throughout the album. Songs like "Cult of Personality" and "Memories Can't Wait" encourage listeners to think critically about the world around them and to seek truth beyond appearances. **Pros:** The themes of *Vivid* are deeply relevant, engaging with social issues that were, and remain, crucial. The album's willingness to address these topics head-on, through both lyrics and music, adds a layer of depth and significance that distinguishes it from many contemporaneous releases. **Cons:** Some listeners may find the themes too specific or heavy-handed, potentially alienating those looking for more universally relatable or light-hearted content. The focus on social justice might overshadow the band's musical accomplishments for listeners who prioritize one aspect over the other. #### **5. Influence** *Vivid* is a landmark album that broke new ground in rock music by challenging the genre's racial boundaries. Living Colour's success paved the way for future Black rock artists and bands, including Rage Against the Machine, Lenny Kravitz, and TV on the Radio. Their willingness to confront racial stereotypes in rock has left a lasting impact on the genre. - **Cultural Impact**: The band's success with *Vivid* challenged preconceived notions about race and genre, proving that rock music could and should be a platform for diverse voices. "Cult of Personality" became a cultural touchstone, earning a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance and appearing in various media, further solidifying its influence. - **Genre Fusion**: Living Colour's fusion of rock, funk, jazz, and hip-hop has inspired countless artists. Their innovative approach prefigured the genre-blending that would become more prevalent in the 1990s and 2000s. **Pros:** The album’s influence is undeniable, helping to broaden the scope of what rock music can represent and inspiring future generations of musicians. *Vivid* is a cultural touchstone that expanded the possibilities for racial diversity in rock. **Cons:** Despite its influence, *Vivid* didn't lead to an immediate, widespread change in the rock genre's racial dynamics. It remains a relatively unique example of its time, rather than a catalyst for a broader movement. #### **Conclusion: Pros and Cons** **Pros:** - **Lyrical Depth**: Engages with social and political issues intelligently and passionately. - **Musical Diversity**: Incorporates a wide range of genres, offering a unique listening experience. - **High-Quality Production**: Clean, professional production enhances accessibility and appeal. - **Cultural Impact**: Broke racial barriers in rock, influencing future artists and broadening the genre's scope. **Cons:** - **Lyrical Heavy-Handedness**: May feel too confrontational or specific for some listeners. - **Disjointed Musical Style**: Genre shifts can make the album feel uneven. - **Overly Polished Production**: May lack the raw energy of live performances. - **Limited Immediate Influence**: Did not immediately change the racial dynamics of rock music. ### **Final Verdict** *Vivid* by Living Colour remains a groundbreaking and thought-provoking album that challenges its audience both musically and thematically. It stands out for its boldness in confronting social issues and for its eclectic musical fusion, making it an essential listen for anyone interested in the evolution of rock music. While the album's ambitious blend of genres and strong political messages may not resonate with everyone, its cultural significance and influence are undeniable.
This album was so much fun when it came out and it still is. Rock n roll ear candy.
i was worried this was gonna be another basic run of the mill 80s hard rock album. It kind of is, the but the little bits of funk thrown in here keeps it interesting and refreshing.
First listen to these guys.
This was unexpectedly fun!
A good rock album that I have never heard before.
Super glad this album is on this list- loving the 80s rock vibes
This was pretty enjoyable! It felt fresh the whole time, and I really liked the production style of the guitars.
Much like yesterday: ohhh wow. Oh yeah. This rules. So much fun.
Cult of Personality is absolutely the highlight, but the rest was a lot better than expected.
Quite funky, listening to this on 0 hours of sleep so I'm not sure but I think it's solid.
Solid rock album that still holds up from when it first came out.
A spot on title for an album that melds the musical palette of so many styles; metal, pop, soul, rap, funk. Vernon Reid’s guitar playing and songwriting are beyond impressive, and Corey Glover’s singing reaches heights that few metal vocalists ever attained. I’ve managed to see them live a few times, and they always deliver on the tracks from this album, it was their finest hour. Really not a bad song on the whole album. The standouts for me are the two excellent ballads, Open Letter and Broken Hearts, as well as the dig against fake NY culture on Glamour Boys, something that still resonates today. Good example of a band that was overshadowed by a single MTV song and doesn’t get the full respect they deserve.
I like this, a very enjoyable listen and one that reminded me of another group called the Dan Reed Network. The mix of rock and Funk made it quite easy to listen to and also made it stand out from other groups of the same or similar genre.
7/10. Fun album that also feels a bit corny to me. Edge of 6/7 but went pessimist.
I'm not sure this album has held up over the years to be honest. Still, Living Colour's influence on me as a music listener and concert going continues to this day. Listening to Vernon Reid's incredible guitar work and Corey Glover's energetic voice brought all the nostalgia right back and I enjoyed the album top to bottom.
Great album, felt like experiential or progressive rock and classic rock, but some other stuff like even hip hop mixed in
Decent funky rock. Some songs were a bit meh but good vibe with a small cameo from pe. 7/10
One of those records where you have no idea of what to expect, but are insanely good listens and leave something to be desired.
Funky and unique 80s hard rock!! A really fun listen!!
Unexpectedly good! I wasn’t expecting the funk fusion, nor would I have expected it to work with metal. But it worked, it really worked. Would listen again.
Fun album. I of course knew Cult of Personality, but there's plenty of other fun things on here. There's also a few songs I thought were just ok. Overall though, I had a good time with this one. 3.5/5
Good shit, hit at the right time as a middle ground between radio friendly alt and metallic but not necessarily metal. “Cult of Personality” is the kind of song you’d be proud to be a one hit wonder for and “Open Message (To a Landlord)” is the perfect balance between anger and sincerity. I don’t love the Talking Heads cover- somehow the least funkiest song on here- but everything else is classic. B… maybe +?
BANGER. “Broken Hearts” is weak. Bass lines and guitar solos fuck.
Vernon Reid is a genius! I knew the hits off this, but weirdly hadn't listened to the whole thing. Varied, genre mashing. Similar albums from this time have turned me off lyrically - I'm as much into songs about cars and fucking as I was in the 80s. This album had more socially conscious writing, as well as some straight up party bangers. Good stuff.
I don’t know how I’d come to this conclusion in the past, but I’d always written off Living Color as a shitty British new-wave band, like a poor man’s version of Duran Duran. Today I learnt they’re neither shitty, British, nor new-wave. Cult Of Personality is one of those songs I was vaguely aware of but never paid attention to before. Now that I’ve given it a chance: what a rockin’ banger. Followed immediately by another rocker, I Want To Know. I loved the outro to Open Letter. This whole album is 80’s guitar wankery at its finest, and I mean that with all due respect. I’m impressed. Vivid was a true surprise; I went in thinking “ugh” and walked away with 4 well-deserved stars and a determination to seek more of their catalogue. It further invigorates me to continue with this fantastic 1001 albums project.
More songs about how much landlords fucking suck, please.
I didn't know the album past the first song. Pretty good.
Hmm... Living Colour. I have always thought Living Colour was awesome. They are a great band. Perhaps now and then a song seems to go a bit retro, but for the most part time has not dulled their edges. I do wonder (without bothering to research it right now) what actually happened to them? They were an exciting new thing for a while, and the songs here reflect that, but they are not exactly a household name anymore? Huh. Anyhow, this album, and band overall, is well well worth the time to give a listen to.
Cult of Personality is one of my all time favorite jams. The rest of the album didn't disappoint. It's punchy and angry and funky and I like it.
A few of these songs hold up pretty well today, but much of the album sounds fairly dated at this point. Given that it came out in '88 that's entirely understandable, but it does cap the ceiling for me. That said, it was an enjoyable listen overall. 4.0
I might have heard the album once or twice back in the day, but not for many years. It's better than I expected/remembered. "Now you can tear a building down But you can't erase a memory"
Still great
"Cult of Personality" is a fantastic track. The rest of the album is good as well. I like Living Colour's style of hard rock. Like many artists on this list, I've never listened to them. I forgot to play this album on Tuesday so I'm reviewing it on Wednesday. "Vivid" gets a 4 star rating.
Cult of Personality is such an ultimate jam which I have known forever, and is the only Living Colour song that I am familiar with. Really hope it's not a 1 hit wonder for me. The first half of the album absolutely rocked. Funny Vibe certainly was funny, but the album certainly took a turn afterwards to much slower. The funk aspects it turned into is pretty nice but I preferred the hard rock more. Ending on Which Way to America to bring it back to rockin was an excellent choice. This album sounded like 2 different bands at times which which cool to show some range. Some was a 3 and some was inching towards a 5. So average a very solid 4
stabilt
I feel like this is incredibly influential to a huge era of music that came after it. Killer stuff
Strong 5 consideration but ultimately, I didn’t like it as much as I feel like a 5 should be liked. Still, this was a very impressive album. Cult of Personality is an absolute banger and might be a top 5 Guitar Hero III song. The rest of the album, which I hadn’t heard before, was a wonderful blend of many different flavors of dad-rock. These ranged from Van Halen-esque over-the-top arena rock to grounded and groovy Fishbone-like bass lines which truly gave the album some….living colour
Positiivinen uutuus itselle. Oikein hyvin viihdytti aamupäivän töissä
Living Color made hard rock that was clearly punk influenced. Their clean, technical guitar leads, provided by Vernon Reid, and charismatic vocals from Corey Glover made for a funky version of metal. Their hit, "Cult of Personality" pushed them to pop stardom, and the rest of the tracks on the album made them more than a one-hit wonder band. Vivid is their debut, and the most commercially successful of the band's work.
Love the versatility. 80s metal, pop-rock melded together nicely. Genesis and Metallica vibes at the same time, which in this case is oddly intended as a compliment.
Cult of personality - looooove the baseline
It was good. Not my main cuppa, but good.
A few great songs here. Solid rock album that I would listen to again.
Some good rock tunes
Went into this one a little bit blind. Gotta say I was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the rocky funky beat.
Cult of Personality is a bop, and they’re probably doing just fine off that huge hit, but it’s hard not to think Living Colour deserves more. They go so hard, they’re so funky, they could have been, should have been, the biggest band in the world.
Saw these guys open for The Rolling Stones in 1989. I was working as a stadium vendor, and people assumed I had beer in my cooler, despite me being 17 and looking 12 years old. I made like $15, but got to watch most of their opening, and ALL of the stones. 4 stars.
Starts off solid, then it's kind of so-so. Good groove on funny vibe, giving me Cory Wong vibes in the back half of the album. After cult of personality every song felt very different, did not hate the sound. Highlights: cult of personality, funny vibe (good groove), broken hearts
Giving this a 4 because of how popular it was and how good of musicians these guys are. Cult of Personality is a banger and I liked some of the other funk/metal tracks like Which Way To America. Overall this isn’t my go to music but I do appreciate this album.
4.5/5
Great memories, and it still rocks.
Great artist and album. Cult of Personality remains one of my favorite songs. Some other good tracks, but nothing rises to that level.
Cult of Personality is a great opening track, but sadly the rest of the album fails to live up to this early promise.
I’m not a big metal guy, but turns out I am partial to a bit of funk-metal. Simpsons: No
Really good solid rock album, with some funky beats over the top. Wasn't sure whether to give this 3 or 4. Due to cult of personality I went with a 4
I forgot how fun and offbeat this whole album was.
didnt expect to like this blown away bu talking heads cover. solid record
Funky 80s rock music. Stand-out: Desparate People
I loved this album when I was in high school. It's been a long time since I've revisited. Cult of Personality still kicks ass. I remember loving Open Letter, but it doesn't hold the same value for me today. Most of it is a little dated, but it's unique enough to respect. I still like a lot of the tracks and the whole vibe of the album works really well.
rocks !!
Great rock sound, fine guitars, real fun.
Cult of Personality is a straight up banger, I love the guitar solo, that triplet drum intro, and the political speech snippets. Sadly the other songs don't really live up to the heights of this song. Nothing is bad, just some songs run a little on the generic side. There is great guitar and bass playing throughout though. Also shout out to the album cover. Some other stand outs: - Funny Vibe is funky, and almost sounds like an early Faith No More Track - Memories can't Wait: I love the talking heads and this is such a unique funky cover. - Glamour Boys sounds like if Sting tried to sing a Sublime song. 3.5 closer to a 3 but I could see it going closer to a 4 on future listens. On second thought I'll just make it a 4
Surprisingly fun! Not earth shattering but cult of personality is amazing, a couple good singles, then some meh. You’ll get something out of this
Time for some 80s rock. Album opens strong with the hit Cult of Personality. This song still holds up today as an all time great rock song. There is also a great cover of Should I Stay or Should I Go. The album has a good overall rock sound with some excellent social commentary, and I can definitely hear their influence in bands like Sevendust. That said, no other songs really stood out to me. This is a 4 for me
A band I pretty much forgot about. Was happy to rediscover the album.
Such an enjoyable album. Opener track is a certified banger.
I haven’t listened to the entire thing since it came out. But it is just as good as I remember.
Damn some classics that I didn’t know lived here. Sonorous and discordant.
This was a big album back when it was released and seemed to be everywhere. It was the first hard-driving rock that took on racial issues head-on (Rage is more hip-hop/rap). The songs still sound really good, though a bit heavy-handed at times and kind of shouty. Would like to hear them slow it down a bit here and there. This is a proper rock and roll album.
It was good to hear again. Interesting how they took quite cheesy pop ideas and made them good through musicianship.
great stuff. impossible to categorize, lots of fun
The best LC album. Cult of Personality is still great. The Talking Heads cover is great too, just like several other songs such as Broken Hearts. Falls short of 5 stars for me, but a solid 4*: 8/10.
Very enjoyable album. Lots of different influences, but I like them best when it gets funky and heavy.
I owned this on cassette and saw them live. Would like to get it on vinyl.
Great guitar, great bass, great drumming. It's a bit Rush-esque, with much more conventional singing timbre to fit the late-80s "funk metal" style. The opening track, Cult of Personality, is pretty infectious, and the remaining tracks are all good, though many of them sound similar. The three live tracks tacked onto the end are unnecessary, both for runtime and for being repeats of earlier tracks. Still, a very strong showing for an album and band I'd never heard of.
I've not listened to them for years, a mixture of funk, metal, , jazz, hip hop. Good stuff. I must go and find their other albums, I had a few of them years ago on cassette.
Very strong beginning, but it fizzles out towards the middle, and then somewhat resurrects itself towards the end. Overall a great listen.
J'ai bien aimé ça, du hard rock avec des lignes de bass funky j'suis toujours down
Some excellent guitar solos and riffs saves what can sometimes be a repetitive/flat album. The guitar elevates it from okay to good for me. Plus bonus nostalgia points for having a song from guitar hero 3.
Good rock album. It had been a while since I've heard it, but I turned it up.
Fun rock, kinda reminded me of Spin Doctors (drums specifically) but a little harder
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
Rad rock with a few songs with some ska influences
Good fusion rock. 4/5
At the time Vivid came out, it was wholly unexpected. There were few, if any, Black people making rock music anymore. Most Black musicians were producing hip-hop, dance music (especially house and acid), and reggae or ska. Rock music? Nope. Rock that bordered on metal? Unheard of! Then, out of the blue, came Vernon Reid, a guitarist playing loud, boisterous, rock. No Black guitarist played like that since Hendrix. Overall, Vivid is a few good songs plus a bunch of filler. The good stuff though is amazingly good, especially Cult of Personality and Glamour Boys. Throughout Vernon Reid's guitar playing is superb, elevating even the filler. After Vivid, In Living Color never reached the MTV level of fame. For that one moment though, America got to see what a Black rock band could do.
I was ready to dislike this. I wasn’t a huge fan of Cult of Personality when it came out, and a lot of late 80s/early 90s rock has production that makes the music sound extremely dated to me; I lived through it, I don’t need it again. But… I liked this. There was great energy and momentum throughout.
Propulsive and raw, unafraid to tackle social issues, with the modern classic “Cult of Personality” kicking things off in explosive fashion. Captures the state of late 80s America perfectly.
Hell yeah. Living Colour was a band I learned about while learning bass back in the day. The bass slaps here, and the singing if really fantastic. What really makes Living Colour stand out though is they are one of the few African-American metal groups out there, and quite frankly makes this an important album.
Не особо запомнилось, но понравилось, было приятно послушать
one of the best debut ever
Рок, 1988 Мне нечего особо сказать, но послушал с кайфом. А, ну Cult Of Personality где-то точно слышал. Может, в каком-то сериале? Твёрдая четыре.
Acordar ouvingo Cult of Personality, gostoso demais. mas o resto do álbum é bem esquecível com algumas músicas que salvam
Cult of Personality rules.
Rock animado. Un 4.
Perfect album, groundbreaking style
Favourite tracks: cult of personality; open letter
A ground breaking album, not because these black dudes rocked hard. But also the influences of funk that created something very unique and fresh. I didn't realise Jagger was a co-producer on the record until now. You can hear some of his influence on the sound.
Good album, previously my only exposure to Living Colour was playing Cult of Personality on Guitar Hero, which is the standout here.
I am a very very big fan of this album. I was only aware of the song What’s your favourite colour however, very impressed with the whole album. I really really liked it. I liked every part of it. Honestly no complaints!
Since I was around in 1988, I thought I might recognize this music, but I didn't. This is some solid power rock with some needed points of view. It's really only because this is a genre I don't love that I don't love this more.
Funky.
Cult of personality is forever a classic. Funny vibe goes hard, as does the remix with Prince Paul. Open Letter (To a Landlord) has quintessential 80s vocals. Glamour Boys have it all under control.
Very fun funk metal album with political undertones Main takeaway from this album is that Corey Glover is a phenomenal vocalist Solid cover of Talking Heads’ Memories Can’t Wait Favourite tracks: Cult of Personality, Desperate People, Open Letter, Funny Vibe, Memories Can’t Wait, Which Way To America
I knew the two hits from this record and have always thought they were good. But listening to the rest of this was a lot of fun. There is so much positivity and hope coming off this thing. Even when the subject matter gets heavy. Most of these albums, I stop when the deluxe songs kick in. But I stuck around for all of this. Great record
Cult of Personality is a great song. Overall this album matched my taste, I liked the bass lines especially. A couple songs I would have cut: Open Letter, What's Your Favourite Color, Glamour Boys.
The first half of this album is fantastic with standouts in Cult of Personality, Middle Man, I Want To Know, and Desperate People. However the second half loses that rock centre and opts for off lyricism and an uneven funk feeling.
happy for the brothers but this rock does nothing for me 😔
I dug this - there's some fun musicianship throughout, and it walks a hard-rock / pop tightrope (with the odd fleck of funk) neatly. Does anyone else think that Corey Glover sounds like Extreme's Gary Cherone? The standout track is the provocative, bulldozing 'Cult of Personality' but there are gems throughout. The home stretch of 'Glamour Boys', 'What's Your Favourite Color?' and 'Which Way to America?' frankly rules - guitarist Vernon Reid going overboard demonstrating metal riffage, funky chicken scratch and nimble soloing. I was well disposed towards Living Color from the moment I saw Doug Wimbish in the Ibanez catalogue (yes, I know Muzz Skillings is the bassist on this one). Despite not hearing a note of their music, I thought Living Color had to be good for Ibanez endorsements - no thumb-over-the-fretboard noodlers in the Ibanez stable!
I have a lot of respect for this band. Without question, they helped bridge the gap from metal to alternative for a lot of little white teenage suburban weirdos. Did a Living Colour/Faith No More tour ever happen in the late 1980s? If not, file that under B for Bad Business Decisions. But as much as I respected the band at the time, I was always a little lukewarm on this record because of the very obvious fact that there's only one song that even comes close to touching "Cult of Personality." You know what though? I remember owning not just one, but BOTH of the records that followed "Vivd." And those I really liked! I was like a hipster before I even knew that word existed. Give me the more sophisticated and challenging, less popular, 2nd and 3rd records or give me nothing. So, colour me surprised that I had a very pleasant time listening to this again. "Broken Hearts" was great, and I'm positive I didn't feel that way in 1988. And "Glamour Boys"! There's no chance in hell I wanted anything to do with hose Caribbean-tinged jams at age 11. (Jesus Christ, I was young.) So it's all positive over here. I'm listening to album 2 as I type this and "Pride" slaps just as much as it always has. Little Richard cameos on that record. Little freaking Richard! What a world.
living colour's vivid sounds so fresh! it was actually a lot of fun to listen to. they definitely used a range of genres here, and that helps the listener from being bored. their biggest hit by far is "cult of personality" (which is such a banger), and i was surprised how different the rest of the album is after the opener. their music doesn't completely remain as hard or metal! they have a number of chiller songs: "open letter (to a landlord)" is a societal statement disguised as power rock--and that chorus was just as good as any eighties power ballad. the very prince-like scream opening and the funk included in "what's your favorite color?" does make the music feel a little more eighties--but it's enjoyable regardless. toward the end of the album, there's more of rap and hip hop. my goodness, was i impressed that living colour managed to put together an album touching so many genres while making it sound good! i traditionally keep to the original track listing since that's what i should only be reviewing, but i have to mention--the cover of "should i stay or should i go" was great! i always admire when an artist purposefully has the cover sound different from the original.
I enjoyed it. the songs had a lot to say and the guitar work was great. I already knew Cult of Personality and its a banger
4 stars. One GREAT song, plus a couple of other solid songs. But you need more than one great song to get to 5 stars.
Rocks pretty hard in some spots. Enjoyable, and I may give it another listen in future.
8/10 hard rock is kind of an annoying genre, but also these guys are super talented and I really commend them for their talent and creativity
Better than I expected. I only knew Cult of Personality but the other songs on this album were nice too.
The production is dated, but we need more black rock bands. There are many genres incorporated here, that it has a unique vibe. I really enjoyed the lead singer and the political/cultural message in the lyrics. Landlords suck.
Enjoyed that.
I sometimes think American hard rock overdoes it a bit, but this seems to be a bit more in the sweet spot of rock, catchy riffs, melodies and vocals. Probably some would argue it's commercial, but I don't think there's anything wrong with that. Am hearing Def Leopard and Kiss, but then there's a bit of hop hop and Talking Heads in the tune Funny Vibe. 3.5
When I was 14, I bought this album when it came out, on the strength of "Cult of Personality", which I loved. It didn't turn out to be one of my favorites, so I didn't listen to it a lot. Listening to it now, only 2-3 of the songs even sounded familiar. But I liked it a lot. The singer has a really good voice, it's got some great guitar riffs and solos. I might go and check out their second album at some point. Favorite track: Middle Man
This album kinda surprised me! I’ve always liked their singles, but didn’t appeal that much to listen their records. Boy, was I wrong. Their mix of funk, rock, metal, pop & hiphop is very cool. It works on a lot of levels. My only gripe is the drummer who is sort of forcing his style with his fills a bit too much But still, really cool stuff. 7,5 out of 10
Els tres primers discos de Living Colour són una de les millors representacions del rock alternatiu de canvi de década. 'Stain' s'orientava ja directament cap al hard rock, pero 'Vivid' i 'Time's Up' presenten una amalgama de sons i estils que caracteritzen molt bé aquells anys. A més, són dels que millor aguanten el pas del temps. Escoltar avui '(Open Letter) To a Landlord', 'Memories Can't Wait', 'Cult of Personality', 'Glamour Boys' o 'Broken Hearts' et transporta a aquells anys, però a la vegada tenen plena vigència artística. Una gran banda que es va merèixer més continuïtat i un èxit més a l'alçada d'altres com els Peppers o Faith No More. Amb aquest primer treball els hi van plantar cara de tu a tu. Molt a prop de les 5*
Thought this would be a one hit wonder band with a guitar hero song, but it was a well put together combo of hard rock and funk with a laundry list of influences. Great instrumentation
Pretty darn good rock 'n' roll.
good rock album through and through and a couple stand outs
Learned a lot about Living Colour today, mainly that they have other songs that I like. 4.5
Heavier than I thought
So I only knew Cult of Personality from one of the GTA games and as CM Punk’s entrance theme. So I was kind of expecting this to be a one-song-wonder and then a whole lot of meh And whilst Cult is the only 5 star classic on here, the rest of the album is more than decent and I really enjoyed it Shades of the RHCP, half a dozen grunge bands and something unique
Classic, it's own vibe.
This is one of those albums that feels like it's from a different time than the year that it was made, though I'm not sure exactly when that time was. The style of music on this album is pretty fascinating. You have songs that are very heavy metal influenced, then you have songs like Glamour Boys that are essentially new wave songs. I really wish that this album would have spawned more of a musical movement, though it's influence can definitely be seen in bands like RHCP and Faith No More. I knew the song Cult of Personality before listening to this, but I was really surprised how consistently good the album was after that opener. I think I might try and pick this one up 4/5
This was my senior year of high school. We rode around a lot in my buddy's BMW 2002 and smoked pot and cranked either this or Jane's addiction, nothing's shocking.
yea it was great. this album reminded me of The Miracle - Queen. It was nice and i liked the guitar and bass.
That's surprisingly good. Like... really good. So many genres thrown in the blender shouldn't work and yet, Living Colour manages to pull it off AND keep up a running dialogue on culture and politics. It's pretty impressive. Enjoyed the heck out of that.
8/10. Definitely a really solid album, nothing super crazy, though.
Inverse Jamiroquai. 7/10
Cult Of Personality- 9.7 I Want To Know- 8 Middle Man- 8.5 Desperate People- 7 Open Letter (To a Landlord)- 8 Funny Vibe- 8 Memories Can't Wait- 8.7 Broken Hearts- 7.9 Glamour Boys- 7.2 What's Your Favorite Color?- 7.5 Which Way To America- 7.3
Very enjoyable, dad rock that’s not Steely Dan
Cult of Personality is still great. The rest of the album is pretty solid but maybe a little dated. Vernon Reid can shred.
This was great, altho the formula got a bit old by the end. Still a really fun listen
Отличный рок 80х с остросоциальными текстами и безумным и оригинальным для того времени инструменталом, но помимо этого я не могу выделить что-то конкретное, каждая песня просто хорошая. (8)
I’ve been a rock/metal/hair fan my whole life, and this was the first time I have listened to Living Colour. I have missed out for the last 35 years. This is a sincerely great album, and sad that the rock station I grew up with didn’t have this in their daily rotation.
It's all about that bass!
Pretty solid
Sort of what would happen if you let Faith No More and Prince spent a few weekends together. In the best of all possible ways.
this album unlocked childhood memories i didn't know i had, especially cult of personality & what's your favorite color? those were played in my grandpas car a lot when i was a child. definitely a fan, the album looses me a little in the middle but still a fan
This album is good, very funky.
The only song I've ever heard from the band Living Color is Cult of Personality. I really like that song, just never looked into their stuff any further before, so I am looking forward to this listen! And Cult of Personality is the first song on this album, so it's starting off right! Living Color are a rock band from New York, and this is their debut album. The single Cult of Personality did very well, winning a Grammy for best hard rock performance in 1990. The band was also named best new artist at the 1989 mtv video music awards. The band draws influence from jazz, funk, heavy metal, and hip hop to name a few. They sound kind of like Huey Lewis except heavier by times. That signature 80s sound is there, but much heavier than most of the music being created at the time. A few songs on this album were a social commentary on the racism seen in the USA at the time of recording, and they still ring true today (notably Funny Vibe and Which Way to America). There are also some personal lyrics (Open Letter (To A Landlord)). Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed today's album, and may explore Living Colors catalog further. Favourite songs: Which Way to America, Cult of Personality, I Want to Know, Open Letter (to a Landlord), Funny Vibe, What's Your Favourite Color? Least favourite songs: Broken Hearts, Glamour Boys 4/5
"Vivid" is the debut album by American band Living Colour. This album was described as hard rock, funk metal, alternative metal and heavy metal with elements of funk, jazz, soul, avant garde jazz, arena rock, punk and rap. Woah, I'd say just say everything but country; however, I did hear a twangy slide guitar in one song so add that. The band really had to work to get signed and this album released. Being an all Black band, they had trouble getting signed by a major label since the labels thought they were too Black for rock audiences and and too rock for Black audiences. Mick Jagger actually helped them after hearing the play and giving them spare studio time. They eventually got signed. The album moved slow too, finally reaching the Billboard charts ten months after its release and peaked at #6. All the musicians are great but the guitar playing of Vernon Reid is just fantastic. He's all over the place with multiple riffs, solos, styles...heck, within a song. The lyrics tend to be social commentaries, sometimes serious and sometimes comical. Their hit "Cult of Personality" starts things off with a Malcolm X speech and then Reid's guitar just explodes. A pounding rhythm with Will Cahoun's drums. Shreading guitar solos. A fine line between charisma and megalomania and the slippery slope between faith in leaders and being subservient to them are the themes. "Middle Man" was actually the first single released. Very catchy guitar chorus and riff. A solid rhythm section. He wants to be his own man. Lead singer Corey Glover gives a more soulful voice to "Open Letter (To a Landlord)." The song commenting on gentrification of neighborhoods specifically working-class. "Funny Vibe" is a good example of multiple styles. It starts hard and fast almost thrash metal and then out of nowhere goes funky. And then we have Chuck D and Flavor Fav joining in the rap. A sort of serious and funny poke at racial profiling. Another funky song which I remember quite well is "Glamour Boys." A happy song with its guitar and for some reason a tropical feel. Glover making fun of the aspects of high society guys with their clothing, action...all smoke and mirrors. I liked this album a lit when it came out and it sounded great today. I also recommend their next album "Time's Up" which I think is just as good.
Amazing record! Amazing band!
I love it
pretty good, a few skips
Great guitar work in this one and even besides it, the songs had, for me, the perfect combination out of catchy music and metal-esque heavyness
Good album, solid songs that rock.
A really fun album! The first few tracks hint at what might be a full-on assault of 80s rock/metal. It would have tired pretty quickly were that the case, but the album takes lots of detours... the genre-shifting works a treat in that respect. Sails close to the edge in being too busy, but doesn't go over the top, and the playing is just fantastic throughout. Sounds like a band who are bloody good at what they do and are having a blast while they do that. Prime cut: Memories Can't Wait. Might be a cover, but so well done.
Liked it. Need more listens. Lyrics are a little on the nose
The good kind of metal!
Pretty cool to find a political hard rock/glam metal band that's also not white. Liked the singles, "Glamour Boys," and "What's Your Favorite Colour?"
Nice album and great band, look forward to trying this album again
Oh fuck yeah. I actually saw these guys play an afternoon set at Riot Fest in 2021 and they sounded super tight. Obviously Guitar Hero 3 did a ton of work for them with Cult of Personality, but this is one in particular that I'm super excited to see. I'm such a sucker for a good guitar solo. Anyway, loved it. Surprisingly consistent. Standouts: Cult of Personality (OBVIOUSLY), Middle Man, Desperate People, Open Letter (To a Landlord)
Great album. Really helped get 80s rock out of its stale funk. Cult of Personality is as relevant, if not more so, today.
Living Color bring funk's swagger to the at-the-time dreadfully unstylish swamps of hard rock.
Not the most impressive album-wise, but exceptional in terms of most tracks individually
A cornucopia of sounds that shouldn’t work together, but do. Like if the Chili Peppers weren’t so cringey. Fav tracks: Cult of Personality, I Want to Know, Desperate People, Broken Hearts
Imagine throwing the Beastie Boys, any 90s metal group and a funk group together and told them to take turns to make an album!!
I really enjoyed this album and only knew one song going in!
Not my style but great album.
Pas trop fan des parties jazz fussion, dans l'ensemble c'est un peu trop glam pour moi, mais le concept global est cool.
i wasn't expecting to have such a good time with this album. definitely will be coming back to this
Lots of great music, but the production on the album is very 80s, with treble in overdrive. Gets a little grating, despite the great songwriting and musicianship. Favorite songs: Cult of Personality, of course - it's a great song and never gets old. Funny Vibe - the lyrics hit hard - make sure to check out the Funky Vibe Mix on the extended version of the album. Memories Can't Wait - great Talking Heads cover. Glamour Boys - For some reason I always thought this was a cover - it's a great example of the wide range on this album. Not a bad song on the album (although I think the beginning of Open Letter (to a Landlord) sounds like Corey Glover doing his best Michael Bolton). I'd give it a 5 but the production style unfortunately takes it down a notch for me.
absolutely loved this, which was such a surprise for me as im usually not big on 80s rock/metal and tend to stick with the 70s. This is very nearly 5 star, but for now sits at a very very high 4. will definitely revisit!!
Once again the only track on this LP I was familiar with was the hit single - Cult of Personality. Although I do own the 7 inch single of the Clash cover, Should I Stay Or Should I Go, which appears on the CD reissue, and which I’m quite fond of. Anyway, I really enjoyed the album. At the time it was released it was pretty unusual to find a guitar-based rock band membered by a bunch of black guys. But I have to say that these guys do the memory of Jimi Hendrix proud. Side 2 is terrific. It begins with Funny Vibe, a great track with a false ending featuring the dudes from Public Enemy, and an excellent cover of the Talking Heads’ Memories Can’t Wait. Mick Jagger’s harmonica opens and closes the album’s only ballad, the beautiful Broken Hearts. I love What’s Your Favourite Colour? and cannot understand why it was edited to less than 2 minutes on the vinyl. The side ends with Which Way To America?- which opens like an INXS song but then goes guitar-crazy. Loved it. Realy enjoyable.
Again, another album I loved as a teenager. Hard rock/metal that isn't mind-numbingly dumb (although the lyrics are not the most sophisticated ever. They tend towards basic agitprop, but they aren't stoopid). They leaned into being a Black metal band, bringing their politics and musical influences with them (particularly elements of funk). Great, but unsurprising in retrospect, to see Chuck D and Flavor Flav guesting. Good on Mick Jagger for recognising their talents and producing a few tracks (although they are not my favourite tracks on the album). I tend to play Times Up more often as my real favourite Living Colour album, but this stood up really well. I think my own nostalgic fondness really helps boost this record for me. Probably a 3 star for most people, but I love it enough for 4.
Rock muy interesante
Awesome rock, awesome variety, awesome messages!
Impressive debut, but they really hit their stride on Time's Up
Really enjoyed it!
Wat glam-metal/rock is meestal wel leuk om naar te luisteren. Al vond ik deze ondanks de goede bas-riffs niet echt een uitschieter
Always enjoyed driving around San Andreas listening to ‘Cult of Personality’. Rest of the album is pretty good too
Really enjoyed this album. Why aren't there more Black rock bands? Started out mid-level but as the album progressed I loved the diversity of Genres they played with. Early tracks reminded me of 80s Hair rock, later tracks reminded me of Barenaked Ladies. Some ska, reggae, metal, and even rap in there. FUN. GOOD JOB GUYS.
This is an absolute riot - noisy, rocky, with some great moments of samples and beats, and finishing on a wild cover of Should I Stay Or Should I Go. I'll be going back to that one I bet.
Pioneers of funk metal! This album is definitely of it's time
Fun. Good guitar playing.
My heart bursts with semen every time I hear this record. It's like the first sunshine of the summer, or a rousing Nazi rally...just really tugs at the heart strings. Its beauty is so exquisite that it can make a grown man put his own cat in a blender and wank as it liquidises in front of his stupid crying face.
Funky rock n' roll. Hey Red Hot Chili Peppers, over here 👋. Listen and learn, it can be done without sounding shit.
I put this at a 3.5 mainly for Cult of Personality. The rest is ok
Just a fun rock album with some great guitar.
Great album. Cult of Personality and Glamour Boys lead the charge of a solid set of songs.
Cult of Personality is a masterpiece, carries the album but the rest is solid.
Cult of Personality is better than it has any business being. This album kicks though. Good riffs, some cringy 80s style posturing on social issues instead of 70s style, outright, protest style commentary. But, hey, at least they're trying. I will keep this album in the short list of decent 80s rock and roll.
I forgot how much I loved this album when it came out. It was one of the first heavier bands I ever listened to. I always admired their mix of punk and metal. So much energy, so much rage.
Good indeed
This was a pretty good glam album with a unique sound. First song of course is the biggest hit and sounds very arena rock, while some other tracks have kinda of easy going reggae-voice like sound. 7/10.
Reid and the crew take a detour just too far into camp for my taste, but Vivid should still live forever. It's a wonderfully accessible album, with performances that balance fun with virtuosity, gracefully-aging social criticism, a collage of genres, and excellent basslines.
They are Glamour Boys!
Younger me really should have bought this album when I loved Faith No More and Extreme and all those bands. I can appreciate it now, but I think it would have blown my tiny mind back then.
Hidden gem! I've never heard of this band before, but I'm really digging their sound. I love the lead singer's vocals, and I love the funky rock fusion. I'm guessing this group has never come up before for me because they were marginalized black voices at a time where there was no room for anyone but white male bands e.g. RHCP or Faith No More. And that means no airtime on MuchMusic. But I'm sure glad I've become acquainted with them now, will definitely revisit! Also, I like that the album art looks like it was designed in MS Paint.
Great album - 90s hard rock
Funk and glam make for a surprisingly tasty treat.
Really love their funky vibe! Over all a good album but the hit stands out
Just tällasten toivossa aloitin tän haasteen! Voi pojat, mitä musiikillista iloittelua. Jos oisin viitisentoista vuotta sitten gh:n myötä tutustunut cult of personalityyn tarkemmin, niin olisin löytänyt herkkuja. Se oli tosiaan kipaleista ehkä vähiten kiinnostava, mutta kaikki muu olikin sitten priimaa. Tekstit kantaaottavia, kitarointi puhdasta, kuivaa ja funkya. Genrejä ainakin rap, rock ja funk. Muistuttaa paikoin hyvin paljon rhcp:tä kasarilla. Tutustun tarkemmin!
Heavy heavy funk
I remember this from early teens…. OMG.
I liked the album the start of the album was the best bit but a good sold rock album
Wow, this is solid 😝🤘