Review: Living Colour's Time's Up (1990) stands as a powerful sophomore effort that remains deeply relevant. Following the success of Vivid (1988), the band sought to expand their funk rock sound while addressing pressing social issues. The result is an album both musically impressive and lyrically poignant. The title track, 'Time's Up,' showcases Corey Glover's soaring vocals, delivering urgent messages about environmental and social decay. Tracks like 'History Lesson' and 'Pride' tackle the African-American experience, using samples and lyrics to confront historical injustices and cultural appropriation. 'Type' and 'New Jack Theme' examine stereotypes and the glamourisation of drug dealing, respectively, while 'Someone Like You' reflects on lost innocence in urban landscapes. Musically, the album defies genre constraints, blending hardcore, jazz, soul, and hip-hop elements. 'Love Rears Its Ugly Head' stands out with its jazz blues vibe, while 'Elvis is Dead' features a guest appearance by Little Richard, critiquing the idolisation of Elvis Presley. The album's hopeful moments, such as 'Solace of You' and 'This Is The Life,' urge listeners to embrace life and strive for positive change. Time's Up is a testament to Living Colour's musicianship and social consciousness. Its timeless relevance is bittersweet, highlighting enduring societal issues, yet, it remains a musical marvel and a call to action, urging listeners to reflect, reassess and inspire progress.
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