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Amid the deluge of glam metal that ruled the charts and airwaves in the late-1980s, NYC's Living Colour issued its debut, 1988's VIVID. The album proved to be a much-needed breath of fresh air at the time, as the band was not just limited to hard rock--Living Colour's sound contained punk, funk, reggae, soul, and freeform jazz. And while most other rock bands at the time were obsessed with partying and fast cars, Living Colour added thought-provoking lyrics to the mix (especially on such selections as "Open Letter to a Landlord").
The album-opening "Cult of Personality" remains an '80s hard-rock classic, while such other cuts as the rocking "Middle Man" and "Desperate People," a remake of the Talking Heads' 'Memories Can't Wait," the downhearted "Broken Hearts," the reggae-tinged "Glamour Boys," and the instrumental "Funny Vibe" are all standouts. All the genre-jumping alternative-metal bands of the late-'90s owed a great deal to Living Colour and this classic debut.
All tracks have been digitally remastered.
W/ 5 Bonus Tracks (3 On CD For First Time)
Recorded at Skyline, Sound On Sound and Right Track Studios, New York, New York. Includes liner notes by Greg Tate.
Engineers: Ed Stasium, Paul Hamingson, Ron St. Germain.
Personnel: Vernon Reid (vocals, guitar); William Calhoun (vocals, drums, percussion); Corey Glover, Muzz Skillings (vocals); Daddy O (rap vocals); Mick Jagger (harmonica, background vocals); Muriel Fowler, Bernard Fowler (background vocals).
Audio Mixers: Ed Stasium; Al Watts; Timothy Powell.
Liner Note Author: Greg Tate.
Recording information: A&M Recording, Los Angeles, CA (1987-1990); Cabaret Metro, Chicago, IL (1987-1990); Right Track Studio, New York, NY (1987-1990); Skyline Studio, New York, NY (1987-1990); Sound On Sound Studio, New York, NY (1987-1990); The Ritz, New York, NY (1987-1990).
Living Colour: Vernon Reid (vocals, guitar); Muzz Skillings (vocals, bass); William Calhoun (vocals, drums, percussion); Corey Glover (vocals).
Additional personnel: Mick Jagger, Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Dennis Diamond (vocals); Bernard Fowler, Muriel Fowler, Wilfred Fowler (background vocals).
Rolling Stone - 3 Stars - Good - Ranked # 64 in Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Albums of the 80s" survey. Rolling Stone (9/19/02, p.110) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...A headbanger's delight..." Spin (6/88, p.69) - "...Even the likes of Eddie Van Halen might lose some sleep over this stuff. But if you've heard Reid, you expected that. The surprise is the songs..." Vibe (2/02, p.87) - Included in Vibe's "Essential Black Rock Recordings".
Amazing debut! Living Colour has gotta be the most underrated hard rock bands of all time, and 1988's Vivid goes a long way in proving that fact. The entire album is great from start to finish. It may take a few listens to grow on you, but it's the kind of album that gets better with each listen. Best tracks: Cult of Personality, Middle Man, Desperate People, Open Letter(To A Landlord), Memories Can't Wait, Glamour Boys. Submitted by jimmyb (Toronto Canada) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
Top notch debut This is the real deal by this band, among cuts are much played Cult of Personality; Open Letter to Landlord as well as Middle Man and Memories Can't Wait; my favorite song is the reggae-flavored Glamour Boys; also enjoyed other supporting tracks I Want to Know; Desperate People which is a rocker; the infectious Funny Vibe and the short song What's Your Favorite Colour? Cory Glover is a great vocalist and Vernon Reid has real guitar chops; Will Calhoun and Muzz Skillings made a dynamic rhythm section as well, excellent CD Rock On!!!!!!!!!!!! Submitted by David (Middletown, NJ USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Cult of Good Music It takes a few listens to get into this album and once you get into it, you will be hooked! These guys are one of the best bands of all time and they have proven there is plenty of space for african american rockers. The song structures are unique, the guitar riffs are shell shocking, as is the drumming, bass lines and the vocals are powerful!
You will be blown away by the talent this band has and be amazed you discovered them. They are better than the sellout band 311 who I hate with a passion. 311 is just a boyband with guitars and every song they have done is radio friendly to the bone. They sound like something that would come off of Radio Disney and hormone driven teenagers always seem to org*sm over them all the time. Living Color blows them out of the water any day of the week! I don't think the previous reviewer even listened to the whole thing and is only ranting because he was expecting the same cr*p from 311. Songs like "Desperate People" and "Memories Can't Wait" are not forced because they avoid the typical simplistic radio song structure. If you love good 80's music, this is definattely for you. Submitted by Markendust (Temple, TX, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
not rap rock, or rap metal this is not a gernre transcending band. bands like 311 atempt that with some dignity. This band has a great, great vocalist. The problem is his band. they wrote one amazing song, cult of personality, and the rest sounded like radio friendly, processed garbage. You could be an amazing band if you harness some originality in writing. Using old techniques of writing only works for bands like hootie and the blowfish...but not for long Submitted by zola (Flint, MI, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
cha-ching! The first and the best from the guys. The greatest black rock group ever! Submitted by Phil (Cincinnati,OH, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
Amazing debut!
not rap rock, or rap metal
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