Living Colour were (are?) a capital “R” rock band without the benefit (or hinderance) of any of the sub-genre designations assigned to many of their peers. Songs like “Desperate People” and the massive hit “Cult of Personality” had driving, high-energy verses and soaring, singable chorus’ that were primed for drive time radio. What separated them from those peers were their insane, Berklee level chops and the fact that they were four African Americans who wrote songs about real life challenges including racial stereotypes, the damages of gentrification and the crack epidemic. Their debut album was groundbreaking upon its release in 1988 but how does it hold up today?
RIP Bob Nalbandian
Recommended Listening:
EP154: Fishone “Truth and Soul”
“Memories Can’t Wait”