Reviews (page 5 of 9)
# Album Name: Living Colour # Artist: Vivid # Rating: 3/5 # Comments: Pretty Average. Good opening track and that was that. # Top Tunes: Cult of personality # Would I listen to it again? No
I loved this album when it came out, but cannot listen to it today. Aged very badly. 2 stars given it was once great.
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.
Cult of Personality is great. Rest of album is pretty good.
Definitely not my bag, baby. Knew it wasn’t for me about 15 seconds into the first track. Not sure why this would be considered an album anybody “must” hear - sounds exactly like tons of other stuff from that time period and that genre. Corny vocals, guitar solos that go on too long and sound like they’re being played full whack through a Line6 on Insane setting, every song sounding more or less the same. Ended up skipping most of the longer tracks or turning the volume down so it was just background music. ‘Funny Vibe’ was alright, that’s about it. Heard it, don’t need to hear it again. Glad it’s out the way - 1.5/5 bumped up to 2/5 for good musicianship and as I’m sure there will be a lot worse albums in this list.
Pretty meh late 80s glam metal. Not too interesting.
I remember liking this stuff when it came up and I think it still holds up.
5/5 - excellent - whatever happened to these guys?
Nem rossz apuka rock
Great stuff. Way more Glam than I remember, and that works in the album’s benefit. Enjoyed a lot. Guitar Hero 3 classic.
2,5
Didn´t like it, wasn't able to listen much
Fine
2 cheesy 4 me. I can't deal with the splonky bass, gated drums and phazed guitar solos. Every song sounds the same. For some reason I thought Living Colour was a new jack swing-style group. Somehow I dislike this even more.
3/5
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
skitkass
Meh
Man, cult of personality is a tough listen in the US in 2025.
I’m glad to see that Vivid by Living Colour made this list. This is such a great album. When this came out back in ‘88, there was really nothing else like it. It kind of blew my little fifteen year old mind. All these years later and Vivid holds up like a champ. I listen to this album regularly. There are no bad tracks or funny vibes either. I feel like Living Colour should’ve been a bigger band too. Vivid is an easy one to rate. This is a colorful, slamming, and glamour 5. With a wicked guitar solo to boot! 5/5
Charming, Catchy, nice production
Ugh. Generic American rock
Gear: ZMF Bokeh Artwork: 🖍️🖌️🖼️ Production: 👊😎👍 Music: 🔥⌛🥱 Rating: 🎨🎨/5
Cult of Personality is 2018 LeBron in this album.
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.
Fun listening but I don't like it that much
I’ve never heard of them and will listen to this again, this must have inspired the early RHCP and sounds a lot tighter and more polished than them
an all african american group is pretty rockin but this album wasn't
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...
It's like metal but with funk vocals instead of screaming? Can’t be terrible. Favorite Track: Cult of Personality
Favorite Track: Cult of Personality
WOah, they did cult of personality
Solid rock album but I don't see much special in it.
eu sou mto fã de cult of personality de resto é issai nem ruim nem ótimo
cult of personality é um clássico do guitar hero 3 tirando isso, é uma grande mescla entre rock oitentista e noventista. definitivamente um album.
Loved it
I was hoping for an album that would be a forerunner to 90s rock; instead, "Vivid" is more like end-of-the-80s rock. The album features really great guitar throughout and a couple of solid tracks ("Cult Of Personality" and "Glamour Boys").
Great album, I have never heard the whole thing and I really enjoyed it. Excellent mix of musical styles, there isn't any other band quite like this. Would be good to listen to when you need some hype.
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
A classic. Opened the world for Living Colour and I still listen to this all the time, possibly only bested by Times Up, the next release
Funk!!
The only Living Color song that I'm familiar with is "Cult of Personality," which I think is a really great song. If “Cult of Personality” is any indication as to how the rest of Vivid will be, then I have really high hopes that I’ll enjoy this. Overall, this album was fine. I thought Vivid was at its best when Living Color had some social or political commentary, like on “Cult of Personality,” “Open Letter,” and “Funny Vibe.” Sometimes the delivery of that commentary could be a little bit cheesy, but the critiques that the band vocalized sill had plenty of merit. The guitar playing on this album was really great and enjoyable to listen to, and there was a wide variety of sounds and influences to take in. I enjoyed the vocals as well, and it was a nice surprise to hear Chuck D and Flavor Flav pop up on “Funny Vibe.” Vivid has that distinct late eighties sound, where various influences are melded together, and while a lot of the songs on here didn’t make a lasting impression on me, there’s a fair amount of fun to be had here. “Cult of Personality” is the standout track on this album. Out of everything on Vivid, it’s the one song that’s weathered almost forty years to still be a notable moment in rock music history. This isn’t the type of album I’d listen to again often, but it would be fun to have on by the pool on a hot summer day.
Unavailable, sad, I know it’s good stuff.
Cult of personality album. Mostly just great rock and roll guitar. Very 80s coded rock. Not funky but has a funk cadence to it. Middle man and Open Letter standouts aside from cult of personality.
Okay but not notable for me.
Not great. Cult of Personality was the only semi-good song on this album to me. The guitar shredded though. 3.5/10
01) Cult of Personality - 6,5 02) I Want to Know - 6,0 03) Middle Man - 6,0 04) Desperate People - 5,5 05) Open Letter (To a Landlord) - 5,5 06) Funny Vibe - 5,5 07) Memories Can't Wait - 6,0 08) Broken Hearts - 7,0 09) Glamour Boys - 7,0 10) What's Your Favorite Color? (Theme Song) - 6,5 11) Which Way to America? - 6,0 TOTAL: 6,14 (61/100) Current ranking: 383/499
This has some decent skill and sound. I'm enjoying a dash of funk in the songs. Not the deepest but a good debut album and well executed.
This isn't working for me. Comes off like a really solid local bar band. Not thrilled by the opening track being a wrestlers theme song. Some good energy and a pretty cohesive album.
The album stopped playing about twenty minutes ago and I have already forgotten it.
More rocky than I remember, but wouldn't listen to the album again.
Some new stuff to add to to library
In 1988, Living Colour burst onto the scene with a mix of hard rock, funk, and social commentary that was as bold as their neon-colored album cover. At the time, I was far too young to hear it. I later discovered Cult of Personality through a Grand Theft Auto in-game radio station—a track so powerful and immediate that it felt like a wake-up call. Fast-forward to today: I listen to plenty of heavy music and have a soft spot for funk, but the hybrid of funk-metal has never been a natural fit for me. There is no denying that Vivid is an ambitious, high-energy fusion of hard rock and funk, powered by Vernon Reid’s intricate guitar work—an unpredictable mix of shredding, jazz phrasing, and groove-heavy riffing—and Corey Glover’s powerhouse vocals, which swing between soulful grit and full-throttle belting. Even after all these years, Cult of Personality remains a monster of an opener, anthemic and razor-sharp, but the rest of the album oscillates between moments of brilliance and a kitchen-sink approach that doesn’t always stick the landing. Funny Vibe careens between manic slap-bass funk and straight-up speed metal, a wild juxtaposition that’s exhilarating in concept but slightly disjointed in execution. Glamour Boys, on the other hand, leans into pop with ska-inflected verses and a bright, almost jangly guitar tone—a stark contrast to the heavier tracks but emblematic of the band's refusal to be boxed in. In comparison to other genre-blending, funk-leaning rock of the era, Vivid stands apart in its political urgency and raw intensity. While Faith No More’s The Real Thing (1989) had a more sardonic, theatrical approach to genre-mashing and Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Mother’s Milk (1989) leaned heavily on party-starting funk grooves, Vivid felt more confrontational. It tackled race, identity, and power structures head-on, something few rock bands of the time were doing so explicitly. If there’s one thing that holds me back from fully embracing Vivid, it’s the production. The album is unmistakably ‘80s, with its glossy, gated drums and occasionally over-polished mix that dulls some of the raw energy. Still, it’s clear why this record is considered a landmark. It shattered expectations for what a hard rock band could look and sound like, pushing boundaries in ways that echoed through later acts like Rage Against the Machine and Sevendust. I’m glad I finally gave Vivid a full listen. It’s a landmark album, no doubt. But will I ever wake up and think, “Yeah, today’s a Living Colour day”? Probably not—and that’s okay.
Funky
This album is so much fun. Opens with a song that could be mistaken for Alter Bridge covering Nickelback, then flies straight into Rush had they written a song for the GTA Vice City soundtrack. It's forgivably cheesy, isn't trying to be something that it's not and even the weak songs are vey listenable. An easy 4, but a somewhat worthy 5
Peaked at #6 in 1988. One of the most popular albums but actually 2nd most popular band. Houmous & Chutney were #1-5. That in itself is a record that’s only ever been repeated by Houmous & Chutney. In ‘90, ‘91 and ‘01. 3.1
Past Cult Of Personality it’s pretty mid
Dull
Cult of personality is a great song, remember bopping to it on the game GTA San Andreas. The others are avarage 3/5
Chad black men metal. First 3 songs and Memories Can't Wait are great.
This one shocked the music world and MTV when it came out. African American hard rockers, outside of Hendrix no one had seen that for decades. Instant hit, we all went out and bought it because of "Cult Of Personality" which is a kickass song and still getting airplay to this day. Influential, for sure. Popular & talked about, for sure. Bu only one huge hit with a couple minor ones ("Open Letter" & "Glamour Boys", neither of which you'll ever hear on the radio today) but overall it wore out quickly as the songs weren't that great from top to bottom. Songs like "Funny Vibe" and "Which Way To America" don't sound great today. It didn't age gracefully. It was kinda good at the time but it doesn't hold up well today. 3 stars for impact in the late 80's and influence but the quality of the product is subpar.
Definitely a little dated as 80s metal but the playing is really solid and thematically it touches on some interesting topics.
Great singer. They obviously knew what they were doing. I'm sure it sounds exactly the way they wanted. I don't hate any of the songs. However, they sit in that uncomfortable spot where it's not high enough energy to be high energy music and it's too high energy to be anything else. Favorite song: funny vibe.
As an important precursor to some of my favourite music, I'm not surprised that there are elements of this that I thoroughly enjoy. But there are also parts that sound pretty dated, especially the vocals. Definitely enjoyable, but I'm not sure this will be where I return when I'm looking for something in this space.
I had only ever really known their single. The whole album kind of sounds like the single. It wasn't bad, but I don't think it's good enough to warrant being on this list
Rigtig 80’s rock. Kendt for at være nogle af de første rock n rollers. Har sådan funky basslines osv, det lyder lidt som Mario kart.
Trailblazing rock that did not age well. Not classic
appreciated how funky it was but idk if i'd come back.
too 80s
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.
a little more technical/proggy 80's dad rock/hard rock. Cult of personality is a classic. I also enjoyed open letter to a landlord and funny vibe but got bored otherwise during
Algo inconsistente, y fuera del tema inicial, poco y nada voló. Nota: 2.1
A couple of good tracks cult and middle man, I think it's the lyrics they sound very angry 15 year old very obvious with little suitably Polymath
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!
With the exception of Body Glove shorts, I was all-in on Living Color's Vivid and even moreso Time's Up. This was released just before height of my adolescence, still living at home, but working two jobs and staying out all night. There are two things that make this album special, Vernon Reid's guitar and Corey Glover's voice. I saw they were playing a casino about 90 mins. from my house on a school night and I seriously making the trip.
“Cult of Personality” feels like a well-deserved hit for 1988. But I can’t judge Living Colour based off of the nostalgia of that song’s ubiquitousness on late 80s rock and pop radio (or it’s second life as CM Punk’s theme song). What else does “Vivid” have to offer? I kept wanting it to show me something besides the one-note wailing hard rock. Then they did with “Broken Hearts,” and I quickly regretted my desire. They never hit that same note again, for better and for worse. First the worse comes with “Glamour Boys,” but by the end they find a blend of styles that works better on “Which Way to America.”
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 feel like their hard rock songs carry the album more so than the funk inspired stuff.
I fear that during the first half of this album I was, dare I say, a little sick of the guitar instrumentals. The last few songs were much better in my opinion and I might go back to some.
What’s Your Favorite Color? is an indisputable BOP. The rest of the album is alright.
3 st
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.
Instrumentals were pretty good, most of the lyrics not so much
Love Cult of Personality! The other tracks are really cool, too. Living Colour has a very unique sound that combines so many different influences.
Starts off with the MASSIVE “Cult of Personality” and tails off almost immediately afterwards. Basic rock and roll by numbers but if it’s good enough for CM Punk, then it’s good enough for me!
Didn't really enjoy this at first, I thought the second half was better. On second listen I liked it more - but I think this just might not be my genre. I quite liked Memories Can't Wait, especially the ending. Cult of Personality is good as well. 3
A vivid look into the dated sounds of late 80s hair metal, for sure. I've never cared for this album, and what's worse, it's one of my dad's favorites. I'm afraid at this point I should just expect a lot of albums on this list to be included due to their one memorable track.
Living Colour delivers quality funk-metal riffage and stands as a crucial breakthrough for Black artists in rock's white-dominated landscape, even if the album’s quality is less vivid than its importance.
Not bad. Sort of a weird hybrid version of hard rock. Reminds me s little like The Tubes. A bit of pop, glam, and hard guitar. Vocals heavy. Not my thing, but didn’t make me cranky either. That’s a win.
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.
3.5
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.
A ton of energy, blistering guitar, blistering politically-charged lyrics, grooves, a dose of humor, and range. Love it. I saw them in concert in 1989 and they totally ripped. Vernon Reid’s guitar and Corey Glover’s vocals are standouts. A 3.5 in my new rating system - I like it, even a lot, but don’t feel the need to go back to it.
qualcosa di decente domani per favore
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.
A petty good opening song, nice classic rock music from 90s. The rest of the album is a little bit underwhelming, it's just too bland and average. Whole record passed through on my headphones without me noticing anything out of the ordinary. But again, cool opening song.
ez szerintem kevésbé érdekes az előzőnél zeneileg, cserébe sokkal jobban szerethető. három és felet adnék neki, ha lehetne.
It's like a time capsule taking me right back to my childhood. Cult Of Personality is still a certified banger! A lot of the album is kinda generic for the time it came out (I mean that in a positive way), but they manage to throw in something exciting here and there like the wild syncopated drums towards the end of Open Letter, the driving and funky bass lines throughout the whole album, to the almost country tinged Broken Hearts. Then you have songs like Glamour Boys which is the second most streamed song on the album but feels like a ill advised attempt at a Fine Young Cannibals song. All in all, it's a fun listen but not sure I'll intentionally be coming back to it. If it comes on, I'll be tapping my toes and bobbing my head, but I don't see myself playing the whole album on purpose. I'd give it a 3.5/5 if I could
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
Not sure if it's intended as such, but this just feels like such a massive middle finger up at white rock music. Like, these guys are saying we can do it just as good, if not better. Fuck you. Especially fuck you Red Hot Chilli Peppers.
ok different kind of rock 3/5
Music from MTV. While not actually bad it's strangely unmemorable. A 2.5 but not a 3.
De zanger klinkt een beetje als Lenny Kravitz en vreemd genoeg ook Phil Collins, de band klinkt een beetje een glammy Red Hot Chili Peppers. Ik denk ook dat ze niet helemaal onbekend zijn met het fenomeen Prince. Prima drums met uiteraard dikke 80s reverb, een funky en lekker aanwezig basgitaartje, de gitarist mag iets te regelmatig z'n momentje pakken, maar de zanger is prima. De jaren 80 druipen er wel vanaf en 'Funny Vibe' is voor mij op dat vlak ook geen hoogtepunt, maar ik probeer me er tegenwoordig wat minder aan te storen. Dikke shoutout naar die graflelijke albumhoes wel. Tering jantje. Alle elementen zijn er voor een goede score, maar iets houdt me toch tegen om een 4 te geven. Theoretisch waardeer ik dit album meer dan praktisch. Ik ga dit nooit meer aanzetten. 'Memories Can't Wait' is ondergewaardeerd.
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.
Bleh not
I really like Vernon Reid’s playing but the songwriting is ok. Probably a 3.7 for me.
A couple of okay tunes, but some pretty routine filler too. Lyrics away from okay to not great at all. Like the sound of a lot of it, feels live in the room to me. But still, not holding up great.
3.2 I knew the opener from guitar hero 3. The next couple of songs were all ok, bit Pearl Jam-ish which given these were a couple years earlier is a big compliment. The second half of the album seems to go off piste, the funk bit doesn't work as well as in my opinion. Sounds dated and, well, a bit shit. Shame as I was tapping along to the first half but then by the end I was relieved.
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.
Meh
1st track on GTA soundtrack maybe? Album not great.
"Vivid" is good enough example of heavy funk rock. You can see them being incredibly cool in the 80s. It's still a good album, but it doesn't exactly stand above the crowd, save a few songs. "Cult of Personality" is still undeniably catchy. The two songs that are oddly missing from Spotify ("Desperate People" and "Broken Hearts") are some of the stronger tracks. Dig into the album credits a bit and you'll find some surprising names like Mick Jagger and Chuck D, further suggesting that this band was pretty big during their heyday. But a lot of the album feels like its shine has dulled by the passage of time and doesn't really hold up today. I accidentally let the album continuing playing into the bonus tracks and found a remix featuring Prince Paul to be my favorite song. There's still something kind of great about Living Color, but I think it's more nostalgia (and one very strong single) than anything now.
Cult of Personality is definitely a banger. The rest is very enjoyable but it all seems a bit outdated so I probably won’t put it on anytime soon
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.
#473. Starts out very strong, but isn't able to maintain that throughout. 3/5: acceptable. Song added to playlist: Cult of Personality I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link
Probably a 3. Not bad but not worth another listen.
La mitad del álbum es vibrante, no más.
I always thought cult of personality was a faith no more song. Guess I need to learn not to white wash my bands. It feels like listening to a lot of these pre nirvana alt bands they are very much looking for the single and the album is just whatever is left over. Might just be me though? It's solid and some of the songs at the end really start rocking.
Pretty generic solid rock outside of that opening track... Cult of Personality ups this to a 3, what a ripping song
Lyrics are unbelievably corny and actively bad. Some of the instrumentals were nice, but overall not good. 'Cult of Personality' is the highlight of the album.
Cult of Personality is a PHENOMENAL song. Never heard the rest of the album. It was fine. Had I been a bit older when this came out in the late 80's, I probably would have worn this out. Now it's just "of its time" and probably not something I'll listen to. But...thank you for reminding me about Cult of Personality. That's gone straight to my "liked songs" play list.
Enjoyable listen.
I am surprised a lot of the songs had so many less streams
listened on a rail replacement bus and hoped that each song would be the last…. 1.5 stars, prob only 2 out of 10 though
The very essence of meh and fully representative of a microgenre that it's safe for all of us to forget about now.
Probs would have loved this at the time, but I never got round to buying it. Not really my thing now, but it's a perfectly decent late 80s rock album.
Not my jam
Apprehensive at first as started off very hard rock, like the change in tone throughout the album.
Lively album, love the riffs in it, with a couple of hits that I’d recognized. 3.0
просто добротная тема, без присущего данному жанру скуф хард рока всяких вокальных визгов криков оров поросячих
the first song is false advertising for the rest of the album
Pretty good tracks. Energy pretty good too.
Overall solid rock. 1st track is the best!!
I remember these from back in the day, the fuss being “wow black rock band” people obviously forgetting Jimi Hendrix and Phil Lynott methinks! Still sounds pretty good all these decades later. Enjoyed it.
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.)
It started off strong, but then dwindled pretty quickly by the end.
One absolute banger, the rest meh
I’d never listened to Living Colour outside of the big opening track before. I liked it - a good mash up of styles, though all the additional tracks at the end I should have skipped as they brought it down a tad.
A weird but great album. Glover and Reid are incomparable talents. Production is a little too glossy.
Fun 80s pop/rock with the classic "Cult of Personality" - highly enjoyable
Good energy
Nothing groundbreaking but I had a lot of fun listening
slightly funky, metal/hard rock, plenty hooks, political in places, too. very much of its time
Not bad. Enjoyed it in the 90s 3/5
3.5/5
The hits are great and the rest is only ok. It has an 80s sound but it works well compared to other albums I've heard.
Got some Red Hot Chili Peppers vibes from this, especially on 'Cult of Personality'. I wonder if they influenced each other. While this wasn't exactly what I'd call "bread and butter rock", it was pretty damn close. The only real song that stood out to me was 'Cult of Personality', the rest just passed me sort of. In summary I'd say it was pretty boring, frankly. Strong 2.
This album was a bit all over the place. Sometimes you have a heavy metal, hard rock tracks like "Cult of Personality" which could've been a Van Halen song. At other points cheery pop songs like "Glamour Boys" which sounded like Phil Collins with distorted guitars. I was honestly not a big fan. 80s drums, generic rock songs and some odd pop-songs just failed to interest me.
Stock 80s rock.. Favorite track: cult of personality other picks: glamour boys
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.
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
Always enjoyed parts of this album and skipped others Cult of Personality, Open Letter to a Landlord and Funny Vibe are great Glamour Boys is a weird but fun song. The rest is fair to middling at best
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.
Not really my thing - some of it a bit too close to eighties hair metal - but I'd be lying if I said there weren't aspects of this I liked. A high two.
80/100. Anchored by the iconic 'Cult of Personality,' which stands out as an all-time great, the album radiates energy and skill.
One of the coolest records in this project that Ive never heard before, so far. Eclectic songwriting, cool instrumentations, and a rock record that still sounds quite fresh in 2024.
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
This record deserves 3 stars just for Cult Of Personality. One of the greatest songs ever written. The rest of the songs were ok, but none of them can raise to the level of that one.
Idk what I expected but this was fun.
It's a band and an album that I haven't known before this challenge. Musically it's quite good, not as heavy as I thought it would be. The songs are not too memorable but not bad either. The late 1980s production sounds dated. It is a 3.5 rounded down to 3.
I would have loved this in high school.
I'd forgotten how much I loved this group. Thanks for reminding me!
public enemy cameo...
A bright and heavy rock album with some funk influence mixed in. Nothing special, but a fun listen. Best song: Cult of Personality
Vernon Reid is one of rock’s underrated guitar heroes.
Cult of living colors
I kinda like this. It's fun! But none of the songs are wildly memorable. It's just good background grooves.
never had heard of this band but enjoyed the sound on this one. not necessarily my thing but well done.
Not sure why this was picked but it's just not my thing. Sounds like really bad 80s soft rock
Didn't do it for me. It's perfectly harmless but very of its era. Light 2.5
Not my vibe! Hard rock but not hard or groovy enough for mine and not a huge fan of the vocal tone. Can't really knock it beyond taste! Two and a half. Fave track: Cult of Personality
really cool sound, i am disappointed that ive never heard of them before. definitely have to hear more from them!
Yet another that was underwhelming on first but I enjoyed it much more second time around. Love the funkiness
Cult of Personality will forever be linked in my mind with Guitar Hero 3 (no bad thing; what a game, what a soundtrack). There’s nothing else on the album that matches CoP but overall it’s a decent listen. I enjoy the plentiful riffage and the metallic, serrated edge sound of the lead guitar parts. I also appreciate that it distinguishes itself from the 80s hard rock world by exploring more disparate lyrical and musical ideas. Having said that, when it strays *too* far from rock (i.e. into fully fledged funk), I’m not the biggest fan. 3.5
I don't like Cult of Personality, automatic 1 star deduction. Not terrible, but I didn't like it.
Cult of Personality, but not much other than that.
That is a banger from start to finish. Say no more, say no less.
dislike the majority of the vocal performance and there's an extra-80s sheen to how this sounds that i don't fuck with but the instrumentation really goes
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
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 .
Please stop. That’s enough. I don’t want to hear any hard rock cover of talking heads.
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".
check back later
my favorite color is orange
It's their debut album. The very first song is a banger. Their Spotify profile somewhat says they are a one-hit-wonder band. But the other songs are simply enjoyable for my taste. It sounds fresh and right in time for 1988.
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.
I got quite excited reading the description of the band on Spotify because I've never heard of them, but this is dreadful
2 songs unavailable on spotify:/
Call me crazy, but I've always disliked "Cult of Personality." I think maybe because the local rock station overplayed the hell out of it in the 90s. The opening riff does indeed rock, but I find the song annoying. I was curious how I'd feel about the rest of the album. Well, as it turns out, more of the same. There are some solid riffs, and I found myself in nearly every song going "ok this is great," but there was so much of the album I didn't like...mostly related to vocals or being repetitive. I do appreciate how they brought together many different sounds from hard rock to create something more diverse and interesting but, to me, it only holds up in a few songs.
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. 👍
Relegated very quickly to background noise & mostly an unpleasant intrusion on my evening
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.
It’s okay, but I am not a big fan of rock music
I was surprised how many songs I recognized on an album that I've never listened to.
Absolute masterpiece
Decent rock, but nothing special. Voice felt kinda soft to the music perhaps or something about it did not hit the spot for me.
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.
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
I like "Glamour Boys" but could take or leave the rest of the album
Good rock, would listen again
I don't like 'cult of personality even on a good day. The rest of this isn't as good as that song, and that song isn't great. 2/5
Never got into this album
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
Dated. Bit flat.
I didn't much enjoy this
Mostly average rock on a foundation of funky bass here and there. ~2.5
It was pretty fun, but I'm sure there are a lot of bands doing this but better
I’m shocked I’ve never heard of this before. I thought I ventured into every crevice within the 80’s rock genre there was to explore, but this record is about as 80’s as it gets. Which has its good and bad of course. I like the solos and prowess, as well as the introspective lyrics I wouldn’t expect from the time. However, it is still just your pretty unoriginal blob of guitar and drums packaged into a collection of hits sent off to the audience of adults who miss “the good stuff” or the kids who also for some reason miss “the good stuff”. That is to say, it’s fine.
Very good hard rock album that includes 3 big hits. Great guitar. Unique because the band is black.
Solid rock and roll with some great political messaging. It really is a shame how black artists got pushed out of rock and roll, because Vernon Reid brings a great perspective, and I wonder how many others were lost to the mainstream due to this.
Pretty average tbh.
Interesting mix of music styles
1001 albums that sound horribly dated. 1001 albums that faded into insignificance because they are insignificant. This dreck is top 10 on both of those lists.
Veel lekkerder dan verwacht is blijkbaar funkmetal, vind het heerlijk
I had forgotten how much I liked this album
I always thought this was a hip hop band. :shrug: Didn't expect a rock sound. Didn't hate it either.
3.5 rounded down why are these guys called living coloUr if they’re american.. highlights: cult of personality, desperate people, funny vibe, which way to america? (feb 26 2026)
Some absolute classics, some less solid tracks, but a good vibe overall.
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.
Concious rock that rocks as hard as it hits
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.
Crap.
Highlights: Glamour Boys, Cult of Personality, Which Way to America
### **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.
Sweet album, cult of personality is a clsssic tune. Always feel like I want a bit more funk and less classic metal in this funk metal band though. Felt myself tuning out at points.
When the album started I my initial thought was: oh no not another 80s hard rock album. But actually after the first 3/4 tracks this was so much more than that, infusing funk into the mix and having more interesting lyrical themes. Was NOT expecting a talking heads cover which was very cool. However I’m giving only a 3 because it was a little bit bland
Yeah real weird mix, thoroughly enjoyed though
This album was so much fun when it came out and it still is. Rock n roll ear candy.
I hadnt listened to that in full in decades. More stylistically diverse than i had recalled. Solid. The singles are fantastic.
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).
Los vendieron como los RHCP negros y eso ya creo que te fastidia progresar o seguirlos, te deja sin personalidad en el grupo. El disco empieza con el "Cult of personality" que es su mega éxito con diferencia y solo por escuchar rock desde el lado afroamericano merece la pena conocer este disco.
Fresco, piacevole. Sul fine estate mi smuove bei ricordi.
Riffien riffi... Noh.. Kii nosta tollaset albami aika napakka jos silenceä ennen bonus trackkeja respectiä
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.
mid
First listen to these guys.
This was unexpectedly fun!
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 man, funky metal, I very well may have enjoyed this more had it been released in my early teens and I was already familiar with it. Gave it a second listen to give them a fair shake but nah there’s not a ton of substance here. I see what they’re trying to do and respect it but when the lyrical content is a bit thick, Open Letter could easily be the track played over a pg13 movie montage where the kids are saving a senior home from a condo builder or some shit. I tried man, I liked parts of it bc there’s still a 13 year old in there somewhere but fuck this was kinda lame. 2 stars
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 good rock album that I have never heard before.
One hit wonder
I know many people who love Living Colour and I have never really listened to them. Somewhat surprised at how many of these songs I recognized. Super fun record, cool to finally check it out.
A breath of fresh air in a world of big hair. 5
Super glad this album is on this list- loving the 80s rock vibes
I was mean and called this "unflavored rock music" when I was talking about it while listening. There's much more to it lyrically than I gave it credit for, but the nature of the music is .... rock .... and a whole album of it was too much of the same thing. 2.5
There’s nothing here but the single, a baffling choice for the list
This was pretty enjoyable! It felt fresh the whole time, and I really liked the production style of the guitars.
2.5
good and I enjoy it but I wish it was More
Much like yesterday: ohhh wow. Oh yeah. This rules. So much fun.
who's coming to Orillia with me to see these guys at casino rama on sept. 27th?
Has its moments
Have always loved Cult of Personality and the band themselves are brilliant, but the songwriting generally is average
Flirted with a 4, but it takes some wild turns in the home stretch. Glamour Boys, I’m looking at you
Not bad, but gets a little repetitive and kinda boring by the 4th track ("desperate people"). 3/5
Generic rock without anything special to it. A few songs that were above the rest, but mostly just extremely forgettable and bland. Honestly almost a 1 star.
Remarkably varied throughout. Kept on surprising me.
Cult of Personality is absolutely the highlight, but the rest was a lot better than expected.
This was ok in a mediocre way. “Broken Hearts” was what I liked best.
Great album.
Couple of good tracks, but not sure why it's made the cut.
Such a powerful opening track. I vaguely remember owning this album back in the day. Vernon Reid shreds on guitar, but he does it in a way that's somehow melodic, and not just a bunch of fast noodling notes, which is unlike many lead players of the time. Props to the solid rhythm section too. Having said all this, other than the songs listed below, I don't see myself revisiting this. The musicians and messages are great. It just doesn't move me. Liked songs added: - Cult Of Personality - Funny Vibe - Funky Vibe Mix
"Cult of Personality" is a classic. The rest of the album just falls flat unfortunately.
Quite funky, listening to this on 0 hours of sleep so I'm not sure but I think it's solid.
Cult of Personality
Pretty unremarkable funk rock. There are better versions of this type of thing - give me Faith No More any day.
Solid rock album that still holds up from when it first came out.
Couple of tunes missing, but overall fairly decent. Few good tunes, easy listen. 3?
Massive talent in the guitar and bass department, but without the songs to back it up. Still, an easy listen. 3/5
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.
ENERGY
Ok
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.
I appreciate the energy and the Talking Heads cover, but it’s just a bit too cheesy for me.
I knew about them but didn't pay much attention to them. Now I know why. Obviously BIG fans of Prince, but more so on his guitar prowess and it's a nice quality to imitate but not enough to keep my interest.
cant even lie this sounds so dated. first track is ok/good to me, but the rest just feels so meh to listen to. could possibly be because of the 80s production that’s dragging it down; sounds like part of a soundtrack to a cheesy 80s movie or commerical music. after a little of side a, i just started skipping around and wanted to get this over with. overall, didnt enjoy it but not the worst. 2 personal favs: cult of personality
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I think you had to be there
STANDOUTS: Cult of Personality OVERALL: 2/5; that song ^^ is 90s dad
Very mid for me. Nothing offensive, nothing particularly exciting.