Search - Living Colour :: Pride

Incomplete compilation/afterthought of a great band

S. Baker | Phoenix, Arizona United States | 10/05/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"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. VisionsSony 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)."

"Great Living Colour Hits (1988 - 1993) on 1 CD"

Alex Shuris | Princeton, MA. (USA) | 10/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"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)."

These Brothers truly Rock

mistermaxxx@yahoo.com | usa | 09/28/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Alot of People are Narrow-Minded when they see a Black Person playing a Guitar& Rocking it&I say go back&do the History of Music you will be in for a Eye Opening awakening.Living Color Bring the Rawness here.Corey Glover is a Strong Singer&Very Underrated.He did what Darrius Rucker the Lead Singer of Hottie&The Blowfish does&Corey has SOul with it."Cult of Personality" was my Highlight back in the day on BET's Video Vibration.I dig Vernon Reid's Attack on the Axe."Type" was my Jam back in 90.in a far world Living Color would still Dominate easily along with the Bus Boys, Fishbone,Brand New Heavies,Mint Condition,&other Acts that had no Limits with there Music.Much Props to Living Color for folliwng the Tradition of P-Funk&Howlin Wolf,Mandril,War,&Robert Johnson,Jimi Hendrix,Ernie Isley,Mother's Finest,&Others Before them&since that showcase so much more than what the Powers that be wanna allow for a Black Artist to be."