Living Colour

jackhammer · 01-26-2010, 07:26 PM

Old photo so apologies for that. Living Colour are probably the finest non white Rock band ever with a career stretching back over 20 years.

What sets this band above many others is their refusal to be pigeon holed into 'yet another rock band' with their influences of Funk, Soul and Jazz combined with guitarist Vernon Reids instantly recognisable riffs that created one of Rock's most original bands.

Debut album Vivid rode the coat tails of the Funk Metal so prevalent in the late 80's but the follow up Time's Up found the band exploring other sounds with sounds so diametrically opposed as Reggae and Speed Metal finding their way into their sound.

Their 3rd release Stain met with disapproving reviews but the band have still continued working and the 2009 release of 'The Chairway In The Doorway' has seen the band still on top of their game with their own inimitable sound and refusal to bow down to new trends.

Vocalist Corey Glover still possess one of the best and original voices in rock and the band still are as relevant as the day they showed their potential to the world.

An impassioned plea regarding the socio-political area they came from (Vivid):

How to Funk (Vivid):

Time's up:

From the new album:

gunnels · 01-26-2010, 08:07 PM

I've listened to Vivid and I have to say half of it was GODLY and half of it didn't particularly impress me. I'll give it and other albums a shot though because I really did enjoy it when they were on target.

jackhammer · 01-26-2010, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gunnels

I've listened to Vivid and I have to say half of it was GODLY and half of it didn't particularly impress me. I'll give it and other albums a shot though because I really did enjoy it when they were on target.

A few tracks on Vivid are indeed average yet it never stopped me from checking out the band further as those few songs warranted further investigation.

Dieselboy · 01-26-2010, 08:41 PM

Another group first introduced to me through GH.

Probably one of the coolest songs to play in the series. So catchy, and the solo at the 3 minute mark is an absolute BITCH.

Apart from that though, I've just listened to The Chair in the Doorway a few times, which was pretty decent. Probably something I should look into more when there's time, cause they definitely rock.

NSW · 01-26-2010, 11:32 PM

Love these guys....my dad and I used to listen to them back in the day. And you've just reminded me that I don't have any of their albums (my dad still has them...on cassette if I remember right...ha). Good call JH.

mr dave · 01-27-2010, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackhammer

Old photo so apologies for that. Living Colour are probably the finest non white Rock band ever with a career stretching back over 20 years.

*cough*Bad Brains*cough*

but yeah, Living Color were ace. all the musicians involved are top notch players as well. i'll always remember my grade 8 English teacher bringing in their tape and playing 'Cult of Personality' for our class. one of the first examples i remember of music being about more than just titties and beer.

CosmicPrimitive · 01-27-2010, 02:47 AM

Vernon's solo stuff (or with Masque as it were) is very nice also

Unknown Soldier · 01-27-2010, 02:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr dave

*cough*Bad Brains*cough*

but yeah, Living Color were ace. all the musicians involved are top notch players as well. i'll always remember my grade 8 English teacher bringing in their tape and playing 'Cult of Personality' for our class. one of the first examples i remember of music being about more than just titties and beer.

Bad Brains-Punk with reggae and one of the most unique bands to ever grace the music scene.

Living Color-I`ve listened to their first two albums some time ago and wasn`t overly impressed but that was mannnnny years ago. This thread has revived some interest so will certainly give them another whirl.

jramundson · 01-28-2010, 07:04 AM

I love the song "Love Rears It's Ugly Head." And I could listen to "Cult of Personality" ten times a day

jackhammer · 01-28-2010, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr dave

*cough*Bad Brains*cough*

but yeah, Living Color were ace. all the musicians involved are top notch players as well. i'll always remember my grade 8 English teacher bringing in their tape and playing 'Cult of Personality' for our class. one of the first examples i remember of music being about more than just titties and beer.

Well I class Bad Brains as more of a Hardcore/ Reggae hybrid band so that's why I didn't mention them. A mention should got to Fishbone too who were a great band too.

01-26-2010, 07:26 PM	#1 (permalink)
jackhammer Ba and Be. Join Date: May 2007 Location: This Is England Posts: 17,331	Living Colour Old photo so apologies for that. Living Colour are probably the finest non white Rock band ever with a career stretching back over 20 years. What sets this band above many others is their refusal to be pigeon holed into 'yet another rock band' with their influences of Funk, Soul and Jazz combined with guitarist Vernon Reids instantly recognisable riffs that created one of Rock's most original bands. Debut album Vivid rode the coat tails of the Funk Metal so prevalent in the late 80's but the follow up Time's Up found the band exploring other sounds with sounds so diametrically opposed as Reggae and Speed Metal finding their way into their sound. Their 3rd release Stain met with disapproving reviews but the band have still continued working and the 2009 release of 'The Chairway In The Doorway' has seen the band still on top of their game with their own inimitable sound and refusal to bow down to new trends. Vocalist Corey Glover still possess one of the best and original voices in rock and the band still are as relevant as the day they showed their potential to the world. An impassioned plea regarding the socio-political area they came from (Vivid): How to Funk (Vivid): Time's up: From the new album: __________________ It be my music and film collection. “A cynic by experience, a romantic by inclination and now a hero by necessity.”

01-26-2010, 11:32 PM	#5 (permalink)
NSW Bigger and Better Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Texas girl living in the UK Posts: 2,596	Love these guys....my dad and I used to listen to them back in the day. And you've just reminded me that I don't have any of their albums (my dad still has them...on cassette if I remember right...ha). Good call JH. __________________ Hi.

01-28-2010, 07:04 AM	#9 (permalink)
jramundson Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: ohio Posts: 34	I love the song "Love Rears It's Ugly Head." And I could listen to "Cult of Personality" ten times a day __________________ "I wanna sing a little song that, uh, kept me going when I had troubles."

01-26-2010, 08:41 PM	#4 (permalink)
Dieselboy Music Addict Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 608	Another group first introduced to me through GH. Probably one of the coolest songs to play in the series. So catchy, and the solo at the 3 minute mark is an absolute BITCH. Apart from that though, I've just listened to The Chair in the Doorway a few times, which was pretty decent. Probably something I should look into more when there's time, cause they definitely rock.

01-27-2010, 02:47 AM	#7 (permalink)
CosmicPrimitive Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Echo Parks Department Posts: 53	Vernon's solo stuff (or with Masque as it were) is very nice also