living colour - stain

released: 1993
label: epic

if'n i were to work in a music store and someone were to pick up this album for whatever reason and ask me about it all i'd say is "this ain't yo parents living colour!".

and then someone would wander over and say "what did i tell you about this? you don't work here! where do you keep getting these employee shirts? weren't you banned from the store for a month? i'm gonna get doug on the phone. you stay right here.".

telling me to stay and then walking away?
classic rookie mistake.

i remember seeing living colour on THE ARSENIO HALL SHOW back in 1989. they played "cult of personality". i was blown away and suddenly wanting a pair of day-glo pants. i also found myself thinking "damn. when did terence trent d'arby start fronting a metal band?" (all y'all youngins won't get that reference). i of course went out and bought a copy of VIVID but found it kind of lacking in the intensity i saw on tv. in all honesty i only ever really liked 2 songs from that album: "cult of personality" and "glamour boys". and soon i just really didn't pay any mind to the band.

fast forward about 6 years.....

i happened to be hanging out with a friend of mine and we were over at this girl's house that i'd developed a little crush on. i was pretty sure that she knew all about it because i became the "well...did you know blah blah blah" guy whenever she'd be talking about something. we were all hanging out in the living room because her parents weren't home and we were watching tv and whatnot. i'd noticed that she had some tapes laid out on the floor in front of the entertainment center. she was using the stereo because the one her parents had gotten her "sucked". it was some of the usual stuff: some sublime (which i've never liked. and you were never able to go to a party back then and not just hear a few sublime songs. nope. it was all the songs. and then it just turned into drunk sublime karaoke.) and some no doubt (TRAGIC KINGDOM was ok) and some korn (i still give their SELF-TITLED album a listen every now and again. i was the first one in my social circle back in the day that had even heard of them. their soing "clown" was on a sampler cd that had come with a magazine i'd bought and at the time i'd never heard anything like it. i played it for a few people and they were just kind of "meh.") and some of this and that and the other. and then i'd spotted this album. the cover had caught my eye. i picked it up and started looking at it and she was all like "you can have that if you want it.i don't like it."

and that,kids,is how i met your mother.
now leave me be because the sleeptyime sauce is kicking in.
more?
you want more?

ok....
they're darker.
they're edgier.
they're heavier.
they're more socially conscious (if'n you're into that sort of thing).
the bass groove/tone is strong with this one.
you should look into some doug wimbish.
what more do you want?
favorite songs off of this one?
"go away" and "leave it alone" and "postman".

i should also tell you that i don't even know who your mother is.
i don't even know who you are.
i was just walking through your backyard and was thirsty and you didn't have a hose for me to drink out of so i just checked your backdoor and it was unlocked so i just came in and got a glass of whatever that was in the jug and sat down at the table. and then you showed up and looked as if you needed someone to talk to.
but now i've really got to be going.
but first....
can you tell me if this rag smells funny to you?

DL