Description
Living Colour – Shade – Picture Disc Vinyl Record
Living Colour’s Shade (2017) is the band’s sixth studio album and their first full-length release in eight years, following 2009’s The Chair in the Doorway. Known for their genre-blending style that incorporates funk, rock, metal, jazz, and blues, Living Colour maintains their signature sound on Shade, while addressing themes of racial and social injustice, personal struggles, and cultural identity. With its mix of politically charged lyrics, heavy riffs, and blues influences, Shade demonstrates the band’s ability to stay relevant and powerful after decades in the music industry.
Shade continues Living Colour’s tradition of mixing genres, but the album leans heavily into blues influences. Songs like “Preachin’ Blues” and “Who’s That” incorporate blues structures and scales, while still delivering the band’s characteristic intensity through heavy guitars and complex rhythms.
The album combines hard rock and metal elements with the band’s trademark funk grooves, creating a dynamic and energetic sound. Vernon Reid’s guitar work is at the forefront, blending intricate solos, heavy riffs, and funky rhythms, while Doug Wimbish’s bass lines add depth and groove to the tracks. The production of Shade feels polished but maintains a raw edge, allowing the band’s gritty, live sound to shine through. The mix of modern rock production with traditional blues and rock elements gives the album a timeless yet contemporary feel.
Key Tracks
“Freedom of Expression (F.O.X.)”: This opening track sets the tone for the album with its hard-hitting riffs and politically charged lyrics. The song addresses the erosion of free speech and the manipulation of media, and its energetic groove-driven rock sound reflects the urgency of its message.
“Preachin’ Blues”: A reworking of a classic Robert Johnson song, “Preachin’ Blues” blends traditional blues with Living Colour’s modern rock approach. Vernon Reid’s fiery guitar solos and Corey Glover’s soulful vocals give the song a raw, emotional power, bridging the gap between blues history and modern social issues.
“Who’s That”: This track blends funk grooves with heavy guitar riffs, creating a dynamic and danceable tune. The song’s funky rhythm and catchy chorus make it one of the more upbeat tracks on the album, but its socially conscious lyrics keep it grounded in deeper themes of identity and inequality.
“Program”: One of the heavier, more industrial-sounding tracks, “Program” critiques modern technology and how people are controlled by the systems they rely on. With its driving bassline and sharp, distorted guitars, the song captures a sense of frustration and rebellion against societal control.
Much of Shade is lyrically focused on issues of racial inequality and social injustice. Songs like “Blak Out” and “Invisible” address the experiences of marginalized communities, touching on themes of systemic racism, disenfranchisement, and the need for empowerment. The band pays homage to the roots of African American music, particularly the blues, in both their sound and their lyrics. Tracks like “Preachin’ Blues” and “Who’s That” explore the cultural significance of the blues as both a musical form and a means of expressing personal and collective struggles. Alongside the social commentary, Shade also reflects on personal resilience, mental health, and finding strength in the face of adversity. Tracks like “Program” and “Pattern in Time” speak to the complexities of navigating modern life while maintaining a sense of self.
Reid’s guitar playing is as dynamic and unpredictable as ever, moving seamlessly between heavy riffs, blues-inspired licks, and experimental solos. His versatility is one of the driving forces behind the album’s eclectic sound, whether he’s laying down a funk groove or shredding through a metal riff. Glover’s vocal performance is powerful and soulful throughout the album, shifting effortlessly between rock belting, soulful crooning, and bluesy grit. His emotional delivery adds weight to the socially conscious lyrics, making each song feel urgent and meaningful. Doug Wimbish (bass) and Will Calhoun (drums) provide a tight, groove-driven foundation for the album. Wimbish’s bass lines are intricate yet funky, while Calhoun’s drumming is precise and dynamic, driving the band’s diverse sound forward with power and precision.
Released in 2017, Shade came at a time of heightened political and social tension, particularly in the United States. Living Colour’s exploration of themes like racial inequality, media manipulation, and personal empowerment resonated with listeners navigating similar issues, making the album culturally relevant in the context of its release.
By incorporating blues elements into their music, Living Colour paid tribute to the African American musical tradition while pushing the boundaries of the genre. This blending of blues with hard rock and metal helped to highlight the ongoing influence of blues on contemporary music. Shade serves as a reminder of Living Colour’s enduring relevance in the rock world. Known for their genre-defying sound and willingness to tackle difficult social issues, the band continues to inspire newer generations of musicians and listeners alike. Their ability to seamlessly blend styles, from metal to funk to blues, has kept them at the forefront of genre innovation.
Shade by Living Colour is a bold, politically charged album that blends blues, funk, rock, and metal to explore themes of racial inequality, personal empowerment, and cultural identity. With its diverse musical palette and powerful performances, the album showcases the band’s ability to remain socially relevant and musically innovative decades into their career. Shade is a testament to Living Colour’s enduring legacy as one of the most important and genre-defying bands in rock history, proving that their voice is as vital as ever in addressing the challenges of modern society.
Brand new, never played and still in the factory plastic slip sleeve
Track Listing
Freedom Of Expression (F.O.X.)
Preachin’ Blues
Come On
Program
Who Shot Ya
Always Wrong
Blak Out
Pattern In Time
Who’s That
Glass Teeth
Invisible
Inner City Blues
Two Sides
