Back catalogue: Rock (All)

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.

Review: Living Colour's third album, Stain, marked a bold shift in musical direction for the NYC quartet. Following the success of their previous albums, the band delved into a heavier, angrier, and less accessible sound. True to form, Living Colour didn't shy away from socially conscious lyrics and thematic track groupings - see titles like 'Go Away,' 'Ignorance Is Bliss' and 'Leave It Alone'. The latter half of Stain is more diverse and experimental, with the industrial-tinged 'Auslander' standing out as one of the stronger cuts. Stain also marks the debut of bassist Doug Wimbish, replacing Muzz Skillings. The seasoned Tackhead veteran's bass is less prominent overall, but shines on the moody highlight 'Nothingness'. Vernon Reid's guitar work, while still spectacular, is more subdued compared to previous releases, demanding closer listening to appreciate its intricacies. Tracks like 'Postman' and 'This Little Pig' feature Reid's intense riffs, complementing the album's darker themes. For many fans of the band, Stain reaches the heights of their previous albums Vivid or Times Up in the way it makes a statement with the evolving times'.