There was a huge burst around this band and album – mainly due to them supporting the Rolling Stones and Mick Jagger getting behind them. For me, it was the lead off track, Cult Of Personality, that dragged me in. Everything about this track I loved. The riff, the groove, Corey’s vocals, and Vernon’s crazy solo just dragged me in.
I caught them a couple of times on this tour, and they were killer. The bringing together of all these musical styles was a sure fire winner, with only Fishbone doing anything similar. I Wanna Know is basically an RnB vocal with a rock groove and vibe on top. Middle Man, which today is my favourite track, has a killer riff a ripping funky groove and man this just smokes. Desperate People brings together a punky main riff with a funky under groove. Open Letter To A Landlord is Corey’s finest hour, a superb vocal with a topic close to his heart – and that main riff!
Funny Vibe kicks off Side 2 with a very metal riff before the most funky of grooves takes over. Memories Can Wait follows, and man what a tune. It begins again with a heavy funk groove with Vernon seriously wailing, then a very delicate and beautiful middle eight that drops into a fast punky riff. Broken Hearts has a very hip hop main beat with a country guitar over the top – it shouldn’t work, but it does – plus there is a beautiful solo from Vernon. Glamour Boys, which was produced by Mick Jagger, is funk mixed with calypso until the main hook. The band’s theme song follows with What’s Your Favourite Colour? – a seriously groovy funky vibe with the title just repeating. The album closes out with Which Way To America, another social commentary piece. A killer heavy funk groove and vibe with a very metal main riff. A great band and superb album.
10/10 from The Grooveman.
