Search - Living Colour :: Stain

A C-D for the whole world to live in.

Austin Elliott | Cairo, New York USA | 04/29/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is unfortunate that "Stain" was the least popular Living Colour c-d when originally released (and therefore, the least appreciated); but there is growing consensus today that "Stain" is their masterpiece--as much as an advance on "Time's Up" as that album was for "Vivid." Part of the reason maybe that the strong funk-rock fusion that was present before ("Love Rears It's Ugly Head", "Elvis is Dead", etc.)is largely absent here--with the exception of "WTTF"--their best instrumental track. This was their hardest, edgiest work yet; the sheer bleakness of most of the songs dealing with alienation, indifference, hatred, insanity and persecution might have proved too "heavy"; and the occasional satiric song, such as "Mind Your Own Business", didn't balance out the intensity the way previous recordings did. But, the hard-edged approach is justified with the lyrics achieving a new maturity that had Living Colour getting under the skin of its disfunctional characters instead of the effective yet simplistic preaching that was characterisitc of their first two albums. Songs like "Go Away", "Ignorance Is Bliss", "Auslander", "Never Be Satisfied", "Leave It Alone", and "The Postman", testify to Living Colour's growing artistry. Compare the earlier, similiarly themed "Middle Man" with the deceptively jaunty "Leave It Alone" or note how the lush orchestration on "Nothingness" underscores the song's nihilism. In fact it is only when you reach "Stain's" coda "The Wall" that Living Colour reverts back to using a more typical "message" song that it almost disappoints . ("Time's Up" final song, the haunting "This Is The Life" is certainly more memorable.) But, "Stain" is a dynamic album and contains what is Living Colour's greatest song ever--"Bi." A perfect blend of pop, r&b and heavy metal, without a trace of preachiness, witty yet serious, it's light tone contributing to its provocativeness--"Bi" represents Living Colour at their musical and lyrical best and for that alone makes "Stain" a must buy."

Still rad after all these years...

D. Galante | watchcity, Ma | 04/13/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These guys get no love...this album smokes-the band is on fire, period. I havn't listened to this in a while, and it sounds as good, if not better, than I remember. The production is mint-the bass is clear, the guitars thick, shreddin' and heavy, the drums are poundin', this album is just a sonic boom. I have to compare them to the Chili Peppers for the sole reason that the vocals are the weak link-Corey sounds great and all, but the band behind him is just a MACHINE...a FORCE. This band deserves respect, and I resent the fact that they don't get it...because when you talk about Living Colour, all people remember is the guy with the dreads dancin' around in a dayglo Body Glove outfit. Yikes."

Stain!

WILLIE A YOUNG II | Houston, TX. | 07/07/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The addition of legendary bassist Doug Wimbish was an inspired move! The brothers in Living Colour have never sounded angrier and more focused than they do on this, thier final studio album. The opening "Go Away" roars and sounds like a battalion of tanks coming to flatten everything in it's path. Corey Glover unleashes a parched, barking, gruff and soulful delivery on this track that may frighten you upon first listening and the lyrics are classic ("I don't want anybody to touch me, I think that everybody has AIDS, What's the point in praying for you, You're gonna die anywayhay!"), frightening? You better believe it! and that's whole point. Upon it's release in 1993, guitarist and band founder Vernon Reid described the album as "music for misfits" and he couldn't be more right. As violent as most of "Stain" sounds, the LP also has moments of sheer beauty the most notable example being the guitarless ballad "Nothingness". Recorded outside at night (listen close and you'll hear the crickets chirping in the background) with lead vocalist Glover singing into a satellite dish for a stunning double tracked effect, "Nothingness" is a moment of absolute perfection, it simply can't be touched. My personal faves are the walloping "Leave It Alone" (don't you just love the coda with Vernon soloing over the top of Doug's funky, popping bass and William Calhoun's fat bottomed drumming?), the punk attack of "This Little Pig" (the reference to the Rodney King beating that opens the track will drive the point home) featuring one of the albums most inspired solos( Vernon simply riffing hard, heavy and relentless on the same three chords for nearly a minute) it WILL have you banging your head. The art-rock pretensions of "WTFF", "Hemp" and the trippy, multi-layered, psychedelic closer "Wall" which bangs you over the head with it's message of Acceptance and Non-Predjudice. Special Musical Note: Drummer William Calhoun is in especially fine form on "Auslander", his snare and foot work on the choruses is ferocious! I really hated to see them go, but the the best black rock band on the planet went out with a bang! Living Colour, you are sorely missed."