12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great from start to finish, September 18, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Vivid (Audio CD)
While I respect the view of the listener below, I must disagree with him/her on several points. First off, this is an amazing album from first song to last, with literally no filler. There are plenty of songs on here that rival anything that has come before or since -- they will stand the test of time as testaments to the potential of what passionate, talented rockers can produce.
The reader below asks "In how many ways do we need to hear how unfair society can be?" What an awfully naive question. Apparently, the answer for Living Colour is "not enough"! Sure, their agenda is clearly social justice and racial equality, but what do you expect coming from an African-American band playing "white" hard rock? In my opinion, Living Colour's message is one that needs to be repeated over and over.
As far as Vernon Reid "going overboard," I don't blame him for wanting to show off his considerable chops on this debut. But don't fail to point out how different he is from mere mindless Van Halen clones. Reid's style is all his own, a strange, broiling brew of influences including funk, jazz, rock, country, and more. He is a sharper, smarter player than just about any of those shredders from the 80's.
I'm not sure why their funky songs sound "contrived" to the reader below, but to me they sound awesome. What is contrived about them? They funk like crazy, and prove that Living Colour are probably the best rock funkers ever (aside from the Red Hot Chili Peppers). If you want contrived, listen to the garbage that's on the radio these days. THAT'S contrived.
All in all, a landmark album from a much-missed group.
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Another classic from the summer of 1988, February 24, 2004
This review is from: Vivid (Audio CD)
When I heard of Living Colour it was the fall of 1987 when i read an article of the Black Rock Coalition and was looking foward to the release of their first album, in May of 1988 I bought Vivid expect your typical heavy metal album but with a black twist. Nothing ever prepared me for the sonic assault on my musical senses. From corey glover's soulful singing to a rythum section that actually sounded like a one in heavy rock music from Muzz Skillings and Will Calhoun and the Jazzy yet heavy as heck soloing from the best guitar player of the past 20 years Vernon Reid.I told all my friends from metalheads to soulsters to get this album, from the Zep-like riffs to the ornette coleman like soloing from Reid on "Cult of Personality" to the Bad Brains/AC/DC like thrash of "Desprate People" to the country blues hip-hop of "Broken Hearts" and the socca-rock riffage of "Glamour Boys " the lyrics make you think without being preachy and this is the band I thought (and still think)this band as the true heirs to the Led Zeppelin heavy metal mantle diverse music like they played and musicianship that is top-notch. get this album now.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Colour Your World, December 27, 2000
This review is from: Vivid (Audio CD)
Living Colour exploded onto the music in 1989 with Vivid their powerful debut record. The band explored subjects such as racism, living conditions in the inner cities and the style but no substance lifestyle. Vernon Reid is one of the best guitarists around and he plays in manic, buzzsaw style. Muzz Skillings and Will Calhoun provide a solid rhythm section with Mr. Skillings playing an extremely heavy bass. Corey Glover plays the rock frontman to a tee. "Cult Of Personality" is a monumental rock song with Mr. Reid's guitar work standing out. The song is intercut with snippets of dialogue from political leaders like JFK & FDR. "Middle Man", "Desperate People" & "Broken Hearts' are all great songs while "Memories Can Wait" is an interesting cover of an old Talking Heads song. "Open Letter (To A Landlord)" may be the best song on the album with Mr. Glover really letting loose on it. Mick Jagger shows up as producer on two tracks, "Glamour Boys" & "Which Way To America" and the songs have a funkier vibe. The album was a top ten hit and the band toured with the Stones on their Steel Wheels tour. The band made a couple more solid records after Vivid, but none of them could match its excellent. Unfortunately, the band has faded into obscurity and finally disbanded.
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