This is Living Colour’s third album, which came out in ’95, and not too long after they disbanded, only to reform in 2000. At the time they were at the forefront of the short lived funk-metal off shoot scene. I remember all the critics liking this album a lot when it came out, but I don’t think it did very well sales wise.
The album starts off with Go Away, with its Metallica influenced heavy riff mixed with their trademark funky grooves. A great opening track. More heavy funk in the form of the second track, Ignorance Is Bliss. The bass playing from Doug Wimbish is incredible, and holds the whole thing together for me, while Vernon slaps random guitar over the top of every spare space in each song – I don’t think its necessarily beneficial to the songs.
I’m going to skip a few songs here as the vibe is very much the same. Auslander has a very weird almost out of tune riff, and a fast paced groove to change things up. Nothingness is a slight change in pac, and was released as a single. The album closes with Wall, another slice of heavy funk and is my favourite track on the album.
Of their first three albums, this is the weakest, although still a good album and if you like your metal funked up – this could be for you.
7.5/10 from The Grooveman.
