Customer Reviews

Pride

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Released in late 1995, after the band disbanded, 'Pride' suffers from an identity crisis likely brought on by fulfilling contractual obligations.

First of all, there are 13 tracks that form a sort of "Best of" compilation of their three records. Predicaably, there are six tracks from their most successful, Grammy-winning debut, 'Vivid' (1988) - the hits "Cult of Personality", "Open Letter to a Landlord", and "Glamour Boys", along with "Funny Vibe", a live version of "Memories Can't Wait", and an extended mix of "What's Your Favorite Color? {Theme Song)". Also included are the hits "Type", "Solace of You", and the remix of "Love Rears Its Ugly Head" from the follow-up, 'Time's Up' (1990). What is grossly underrepresented is their most underrated third record, 'Stain' (1993), as there is only one single, "Nothingness", and a disposable instrumental, "WTFF". The later-era singles "Leave It Alone" and "Auslander" are conspicously nixed for less-memorable album cuts from earlier records, "Time's Up" and "Pride", which hurt the overall quality of this as a compilation.

When Living Colour disbanded, they were also left with four tracks in the mould of their third record, 'Stain' (1993) - "Release the Pressure", "Sacred Ground", "These Are Happy Days", and "Visions" - all of which are included here, but only one of which warrants inclusion on a "Best of" compilation.

A perfect compilation would have included:
1. Cult of Personality
2. Middle Man*
3. Open Letter to a Landlord
4. Funny Vibe
5. Glamour Boys
6. Which Way to America*
7. Elvis Is Dead*
8. Type
9. Should I Stay or Should I Go*
10. Solace of You
11. Love Rears Its Ugly Head
12. Bi*
13. Auslander*
14. Leave It Alone*
15. Nothingness
16. Visions

Sony knew that hardcore fans would buy this record for the last new output of the band, and casual fans would buy it because it has enough of the hits. Unfortunately, it is a poor representation of a great band's work. Fortunately, this will not be their last word (i.e., fast forward to October 2003).

This is probably the only Living Colour CD that any true rock fan needs to own. Their 1988 debut "Vivid" is also essential, but only includes a few true hits. "Pride" compiles 17 tracks, ranging from 1988's smash "Cult of Personality", "Pride", "Type", "Solace of You", and "Nothingness" to 1994's "Sacred Ground." A live version of the Talking Heads song, "Memories Can't Wait" is also featured, along with a remix of 1990's "Love Rears it's Ugly Head", and 4 unreleased tracks, that were principally recorded in October of 1994. Vernon Reid is an under-rated guitar god, and his playing is un-parallel to any wannabe in today's world of rock. Pick this disc up, and you will never need to purchase another Living Colour album, unless you want a bootleg of their live show (I have a few of these very rare recordings).

This is the one to have. This CD has all the hits you'd expect to find on a Living Colour compilation, and not too much filler. 'Cult of Personality' and 'Open Letter to a Landlord' sound as good as the day you first heard them. Even though 'Type' and 'Nothingness' never were smash hits, they're two of my favorite songs by the band. Clocking in at nearly 76 minutes, and with 17 tracks, it's a fair bet that you'll find something you like on this album.

Even if you didn't follow the career of Living Colour you would probably be well aware of some of thier hits - namely 'Cult Of Personality' and 'Glamour Boys', and while this excellent retropsective album has a couple of these tracks on it - it is more representative of the finer album tracks that most people deserved to but didn't hear. The real surprise here though is the three previously unreleased tracks - the hard driving social anger in 'Sacred Ground' and the furious 'Release The Pressure' will surely indear themselves to fans of Living Colours later work. The finest of these though is 'Visions',a track that is as powerful as anything in Living Colours output. It combines deep african ryhthms and chant into a fresh cohesive rock song with an undeniable yet decidedly dark beauty. Also included are the excellent 'Solace Of You', 'Type' and 'Nothingness' worthy of any good record collection. I've found this album is particularly good in times of anger, or disillusionment for comfort, it's also a good soundtrack to some of those wilder times - partying for days on end for instance. But that's just my take - by all means shake off any preconceived ideas you may have about Living Colour and get this now.

What happened to Living Colour? Its songwriting was strong, its musicianship superlative, and its message clear-headed and intelligent. I suppose Living Colour's music was just too "difficult" for its listenership.

It didn't help that the band's second and third albums, 1990's Time's Up and 1993's Stain, were less hooky and more experimental than the band's rousing, catchy debut, Vivid. But even within those albums there were tuneful and satisfying moments ("Type" is possibly Living Colour's most dynamic song, switching from kickin' riff monster to ironic commentary to sweet vocal harmonies without missing a beat) to match the grinding power of "Cult of Personality" or that beautifully melodic intro to "Open Letter (To a Landlord)".

Pride isn't an entirely accurate representative of the band's work for, like so many '60s and '70s rock bands, Living Colour chose the album as its unit of choice. As a result, many hidden gems (eg. the original version of "Love Rears Its Ugly Head" and "Leave It Alone") are missing from this collection. Still, it's nice to be reminded of just how good this band was: Corey Glover added a subtlety and depth to hard-rock singing; Vernon Reid's guitar prowess was formidable; William Calhoun provided a mighty engine for the band, funky and hard-hitting at the same time; and both Muzz Skillings and replacement bassist Doug Wimbish served to both ground the music and to add melodic shades. Rarely did such a gifted collective of musicians work together so tightly, and their legacy should be cherished.

Living Colour had their greatest commercial success during 1988 - 91, when they managed to score hit singles, MTV exposure, an opening slot on the Rolling Stones' 1989 "Steel Wheels" tour, and a slot on the first Lollapalooza tour. By the time "Pride" was issued in late 1995, this generous and nicely packaged set didn't even crack the Billboard Top 200. What happened?
Like Guns 'n' Roses, LC bridged the late '80s 'hair metal' era and the '90s 'grunge' era. "Pride", with nearly 80 minutes of material, collects highlights from "Vivid" (1988), "Time's Up" (1990), the EP "Biscuits" (1991), and "Stain" (1993) their least commercial album, and the one that saw Doug Wimbish (late of Tackhead and the Sugarhill house band) replace Muzz Skillings on bass.
Even if one has the group's four previous albums, "Pride" has much to offer: 4 brand new tracks from a never completed album (recorded at the end of 1994) are all superb, showing the band exploring a more ominous, bass-centered sonic approach with dub influenced textures, for an overall edgier sound - clearly an extension of "Stain", with great riffs and playing, and some of their best ever lyrics. With each release, LC was moving away from their only flaw, the occasional bombast that slightly marred the first two albums. These tracks, taken together, are well worth the discount price of the CD, but there is more: a longer version, and different mix, of "What's Your Favorite Colour" betters the original, and the superb Soulpower Remix of "Love Rears Its Ugly Head" makes for a very refreshing alternative to the version on "Time's Up". The remaining tacks (including a live 'Memories Can't Wait') will be familiar to those who know the band's catalog, but the sequencing of this set is also one of its pleasures. As originally stated, this is a very generous set, way better than the subsequent 'Super Hits' (cheesy!), and as put together by the band, nicely covers the 1988 - 95 period of their career. Too bad we had to wait until 2003 for the reunion!

When I saw the video for "Cult of Personality" on MTV in 1989 I was blown away by the fact that this was a black band doing hard rock with a funky twist. No one before them and no one after them had done this. Only three full length cds to their name, this best of collection is just what a rock collector needs. All the hits are here like "Cult Of Personality", "Open Letter (To A Landlord)", "Glamour Boys" and "Love Rears It's Ugly Head." Plus great non-hits like "Solace Of You", "What's Your Favorite Colour", "Pride", "Memories Can't Wait (by Talking Heads)" and "Funny Vibe." A high quality hits collection. A must have for any rock collector.

This is what a compilation record should be. The best of the band's previous albums plus some good unreleased material.

Perhaps the ONLY negative aspect of "metal"s demise was that this group never received the all-around accolades they desreved. They were labeled as a black metal band, but they were much more. You'd never hear a metal band do something like "..landlord" or "solace of you". The rise of alternative led to the groups demise. Too bad, though. Because this band could have made the transition - like Metallica - and the music world would have been better for it.

I agree with reviewer sdbaker this compilation does not represent The Stain album (besisdes 'Nothingness' missing 2 or 3 tracks). But its probably good for a singles/top 40 fan. but I'm Glad I bought for the bonus 1994 tracks/alternate versions alone-I think they're worth the price.a jmust have for real Living Colour fans.

It burns me up even today that this band did not stay together and make a decade's worth of music. How glorious that would have been. A truly special band, with an unique sound, a meaningful agenda, and the ability to rock the house. Of all the breakups, this one hurts the most from the 90s. Living Colour was great and this album is a great way to show off their best stuff. Personally, my favorite album is their third one, but I would recommend that if you like what you hear, get all four albums and treat yourself.