Living Colour - Collideoscope
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Free Music Notes for Collideoscope
Free Music Review: BLACK IS BACK
Hit: 5 Stars
I think some of the reviewers here may not have given this album enough time to sink in . . .
This may actually be Living Color's least impressive album to date and, you know what? It's still great! And the simple fact that they had the cojones to make a comeback after 10 years is impressive.
It seems to me they came back because they have something to prove (they still rock) and something to say. They brought the rage from their last album (and still their masterpiece in my opinion) STAIN. There's a lot to be angry about these days, and LC have their collective finger on it from terrorism ("not a ? of if but-" "A ? Of When") to Indian rights ("Sacred Ground") to our political process and the encroachment of Big Brother ("Operation: Mind Control"). There's also an undercurrent of religion although it most often concerns how religion can be exploited to control others. Their cynicism is most apparent on "Great Expectations" which is actually about lowering your expectations.
The band lives up to their legacy by playing in top form. Vernon Reed delivers quite a bit of 80's style hyperkenetic soloing. Whether or not you're into that kind of playing, it's great to hear someone who knows how to do it. I'll take this album over any of the whiny frat-punk that's popular these days. Unlike the whiners in those bands, Corey Glover can really sing which is something that attracted me to LC in the first place.
Perhaps the best song is one of the few that deviates from the rage: "Flying." It's got a terrific jerk-stop rhythm and Reed proves he's still one of the best players out there who continues to be innovative.
Finally, it's worth noting the 2 covers. The boys offer a pretty faithful take on AC/DC's "Back in Black" while simultaneously making it their own (exception: they borrow Van Halen's intro from "Running with the Devil"). The Beatles' "Tomorrow Never Knows" is appropriately trippy here; in fact, they get trippy on some other tracks like "Choices Mash Up." "Tomorrow Never Knows" segues into "Nova," the last cut, which makes for a very cool coda.
One of the best bands from the 80s is back in full force!!!!
Free Music Review: A welcome return that rewards the patient
Hit: 5 Stars
Words can't describe the excitement with which I greeted this album, and I was not let down. If you have followed Living Colour over the past year and a half since they first began touring, some of the songs might be familiar. They were played at some of the LC shows and some where available for download. For example, I have always wondered what the deal is on "Sacred Ground" and it finally found a home on an album. It's about time, too, since it's one of Living Colour's greatest songs. It's like everything that Rage Against the Machine tried to convey wrapped up in one song... successfully.Living Colour shows that they are definitely back with this album and they continue to break new ground as they explore their mastery of all. It sounds cheesy but it's totally true. And one of the best parts about listening to this album is knowing that these guys are together again - touring and continually coming up with new stuff. The future looks bright.
I was worried that they'd come off rusty with this album, but ironically, they are all better as parts of Living Colour than they are in their individual projects such as Yohimbe Brothers, Trippy Notes, Corey's solo bid, etc. It seems to me that these guys were meant to be in this band together. It's their daemon.
Flying is simply an unbelievable song. To me, it captures perfectly the experience of 9-11 from a NY-standpoint. Every time it ends I find myself wishing that it was longer. I can honestly say, I've never heard a song like it. (And as good as it is, I think it might be even better live... the first time I heard it was the New Haven show on 2/14/02 and I teared up). Lost Halo is another fantastic song.
Song Without Sin is an outrageous jam. It's definitely a great call to start the album with this and lets the listener know the auditory treat that's to come.
If I had a gripe with this album, it's that there is probably one too many "instrumental experimental" number on it.... and they are weighted too far towards the beginning of the album. It would be better if they were towards the end of the album.
Free Music Review: Black is Back!
Hit: 5 Stars
These ain't no Glamour Boys, they're FIERCE!!! This is a deep, deep album and evidently too deep for some folks. That's OK but IMO it is their best yet. They're writing and producing as a band for the first time and taking some chances, and yes, some of the results caught me by suprise at first. BUT, let's all remember that these guys are seasoned pros who know what they are doing and who have a plan. They have said in interviews that this album is NOT a one-off and they are back to stay at least for a while, so this disc is what it is on purpose. They are definitely covering some new ground here. I disagree with someone saying "Operation Mind Control" is their worst song -- it is a powerful and driving, forceful shot to certain Gov't lackies. It's a great soundtrack for a revolution, among other things. If you ain't feelin' like that, oh well. Alot of people are, in fact, and this song summarizes these feelings VERY well. And about "Flying" -- if you aren't moved by this song then just cash in your soul. "Tomorrow Never Knows" has it's own killer groove and does justice to the original, more than any other Beatles cover I've heard. It seems some folks want Living Colour to be as they remember them from 10+ plus years ago, but this is LIVING Colour, and as one LIVES, one grows and changes. This is a great, immediate and consistent CD from one of the greatest bands in history.
Free Music Review: It lives up to Living Colour, for sure
Hit: 5 Stars
I've listened to this record attentively many times, and I think it's wonderful, a great addition to their catalogue. The compositions are all over the map but retain the sublime Living Colour signature throughout. There are grooves, hooks, and blistering guitar pyrotechnics from Vernon Reid as always; but I also take satisfaction from subtle shadings and textural effects he put in to dress up the tracks -- it's as if he's opting to use the guitar as a paintbrush as much as well as a weapon of mass construction. Listen with a good set of headphones and take it in like a cinema show for the ears. There are strong vocal variations across the playlist from Corey Glover -- a powerful, versatile presence amidst all the layered mayhem Vernon runs through his Mesa Boogie cabinets. Their cover of the Beatles' "Tomorrow Never Knows" and ensuing instrumental jam is great and and too brief; I wanted it to go on for an hour. Living Colour is an inspiration, one of the great bands of our time, and this album keeps the good thing going. Please, guys, don't pause here and wait six years to make another one. You bring a lot of joy into this world and many folks are grateful. I'll buy this one for my friends at holiday time.Free Music Review: It's about time!
Hit: 5 Stars
I have been anticipating this cd for 9 years now! I personally love the cd. It just shows the talent of this band. Now, for those of you who were looking for the continuation of STAIN need to get over yourselves. It is just wonderful the path these brothers took with this recording, which is directly off the regular beat and path that these other so called hard rock bands have taken (with no guitar solos. Poor Metallica). Corey's voice is amazing (as usual), Vernon is truly a guitar virtuouso with his different styles of playing. Will Calhoun keeps the beat bouncing and Doug has mad talents with the bass (just sorry not many were displayed on this cd. Check out Black Jack Johnson on Reverb). Now, I must tell you to LISTEN TO THE CD YOURSELF! Don't bother with the haters who probably can't even play with themselves properly let alone playing an instrument. They like Korny, Wimp Bisskits, Cold Chamber, Sevenwus. Living Colour is BACK! Check them out on tour if you can. They make the cd sound like a record that belongs on Close & Play's (remember those?).