I only recognized/remembered a couple of the songs on the cd. I basically got the cd for one song - "Cult of Personality", but the other songs were pretty good too.

Alongside Mother's Milk, there was another album by a band that was mixing up funk with rock. The band Living Colour. But, unlike the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Living Colour were flawlessly fusing rock, hip hop, and funk. And these guys could really ROCK. Vernon Reid dished out furious riffs (from hard the funk) and blistering solos like Jimmy Page did when he was in Led Zeppelin. The rhythm section keeps a groove that you would be a fool not to dance to it. And Corey Glover with his charisma and versatility could tear off your wallpaper with attitude or make you stop in your tracks with his awesome, passionate sining. Even better, they made it look so easy. What they were doing looked like child's play.

Aside from two songs, every song on here kicks @$$ in a whole different style. The hardest rocking songs, Cult Of Personality (from Guitar Hero, you probably know that), Desperate People, and Middle Man will make you air guitar and bang your head, and groove at the same time. Vernon Reid goes ultra funky on What's Your Favorite Colour Baby (if you can't dance to this, I pity you), and goes funky on Which Way To America, and suddenly switches to a slab of catchy hard rock. Funny Vibe features a cameo from Public Enemy, with jazzy, funky drumming and, er... chanting?
Glamour Boys will make you dance and it will feel good to know your not one of those boys, and I Want To Know and Open Letter (especially Open Letter. Awesome, soulful performance) show Corey Glover's soulful vocals the best.

Living Colour, aside from being great musicians, can write good lyrics. Topics like black stereotypes (Funny Vibe), someone being themselves (Middle Man), Love (I Want To Know), America (Which Way To America? And this song for me has multiple meanings), Landlords (Open Letter, too easy), and, my favorite, Glamour Boys (Glamour Boys. There's many definitions this song says to me, not just one group).

There is two thing that brought the grade down: The awful Talking Heads (Talking Heads suck) cover and Broken Hearts. I also don't quite think that the songs are AS strong enough to keep it at a 9.5 (there isn't enough 10 out of 10 songs, though none of the remaining songs fall under 9 out of 10). But that's a minor problem.

Vivid has tight, well played, catchy guitar riffs, blistering solos, raging funk, infectious beats and bass, soulful, aggressive, playful, and wild vocals, a wide range of different styles, and lyrics that will stick with you. With a remastering (though you might want to find a cheap version of the longer 3 minute Favorite COlour theme song that is not one of the bonus tracks) and bonus tracks, there's no reason not to get this. So get it or consider yourself lame (yes, an exaggeration, of course).

9/10

Living Colour's first album shakes the foundations of late 80s early 90s rock. This album gives the listener a taste of all of Living Colours' dynamics, and doesn't hold out like many say. Listen to this album a couple of times just to feel the melodies and the guitar creativity and I assure you this will be one of your favorite albums of all time. Middle man and which way to America are must listen toos for any classic rock fan,oh and by the way, whats your favorite color?

First time I heard about these guys is when I was in High School. When I heard "Cult of Personality", goosebumps started to appear on my skin. Oh boy, such a beautiful and powerful album! Corey's high pitch and melodious voice did an outstanding chemistry with Vernon's fast-finger riffs and solos (I heard one time Eddie Van Halen can't sleep after listening to this)... To all, if you want something melodious but powerful, i strongly recommend that you guys buy this album!

Oh yeah, Mick Jagger did a good job discovering these guys! Rakenrol!!

This album really rocks. It features genres like r'n'b, funk, rock and heavy metal combined in unique style. No further comment needed.