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Living Colour-Time's Up

J

josephbass86

Aug 5, 2002
289
925
#1
Wanted to start a thread about this album, because not only do I think it gets overlooked, but I consider it to be Living Colour's masterpiece and one of the best rock albums out there.

I got Vivid and Time's Up both around the same time, and while Vivid has some amazing songs/performances it also has some songs that sound pretty dated/cheesy imo and the 80s production really sours it a quite a bit. But since it was their breakthrough album with the big hit on it, it seems to get all the attention.

Not only is the production stronger on TU but every song is good enough to stand on it's own.

Muzz Skilling's bass playing on this is exceptional, but everyone here delivers a stellar performance. For whatever reason, they were never able to capture this same vibe/energy or write songs this good once Muzz left.

Just wondered if anyone else here felt the same way?
 
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#3
I'm going to keep listening. But, so far, I'm not blown away. Track 1 "Time's Up" is sort of speed metal weirdness. "History Lesson", as a song, is just weird. "Pride" is nothing more than "Cult of Personality" 2.0.

Hopefully something amazing comes along to rescue the rest of the album.
 
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#4
two fingers said:
I'm going to keep listening. But, so far, I'm not blown away. Track 1 "Time's Up" is sort of speed metal weirdness. "History Lesson", as a song, is just weird. "Pride" is nothing more than "Cult of Personality" 2.0.

Hopefully something amazing comes along to rescue the rest of the album.
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Well, this is all subjective of course. I don't expect everyone will like it as much as I do.

I love the speed and frantic energy of "Time's Up" the song, it's a real kick in face, great way to open an album imo. Also love all the RnB/groove stuff they do too ("Love Rears It's Ugly Head" "Under The Cover Of Darkness" "Solace Of You")

And yeah there's a lot of arty experimental stuff like "History Lesson" on the album, and I enjoy that stuff but I know it's not everyone's cup of tea.
 
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#7
josephbass86 said:
Well, this is all subjective of course. I don't expect everyone will like it as much as I do.

I love the speed and frantic energy of "Time's Up" the song, it's a real kick in face, great way to open an album imo. Also love all the RnB/groove stuff they do too ("Love Rears It's Ugly Head" "Under The Cover Of Darkness" "Solace Of You")

And yeah there's a lot of arty experimental stuff like "History Lesson" on the album, and I enjoy that stuff but I know it's not everyone's cup of tea.
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Agreed! I love the variety of styles, how they pull them off, and the songwriting. I still have a soft spot for Vivid, even though I like this one better.

I got to see LC in a small venue about 5 years ago, and they did Vivid all the way through and followed up with songs from the rest of their career, including Time's Up material and their cover of Should I Stay Or Should I Go. The craziest thing is, Corey can still hit all the notes!
 
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#10
Couldn't sum it up better.

Additionally, I love the drum and bass sounds on Time's Up.

Never got into Wimbish with the band... too much showboating, too many effects.

garp said:
I concur: Vivid put them on the map, but Time's Up demonstrated the band's true talents. Not to slight Wimbish's talent, but post-TU, LC became a different band with a different sound.
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#12
Huge Living Colour fan.
Time’s Up title track was a nod to Bad Brains.
Did you know Muzz played/plays overhanded with his left hand? They asked him to Play with his thumb behind the neck because the other way looked weird. You can find lots of pictures and some video with him playing naturally.
I saw them on the Times Up tour and it was one of the best shows I’ve ever seen. Michael Franti with Charlie Hunter (duo) opened.
 
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#13
Wow, this got me thinking. I loved Vivid - bought it when it came out, I had just started college in Worcester, Massachusetts. I listened to Time's Up a lot too - I really loved both those albums. I managed to see them touring Time's Up, playing at "Clubland" in Worcester in 1991 with Urban Dance Squad opening - I really liked them too, though they weren't on the same level as Living Colour (and I only have this much detail because of the internet - I don't remember the club name at all and wouldn't be able to tell you the year based only on my own memory). I saw them with Doug Wimbish too, at the Sting in Connecticut, with Bad Brains opening (the version after H.R. left). I liked both Muzz Skillings & Doug Wimbish a lot.
 
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#14
josephbass86 said:
Wanted to start a thread about this album, because not only do I think it gets overlooked, but I consider it to be Living Colour's masterpiece and one of the best rock albums out there.

I got Vivid and Time's Up both around the same time, and while Vivid has some amazing songs/performances it also has some songs that sound pretty dated/cheesy imo and the 80s production really sours it a quite a bit. But since it was their breakthrough album with the big hit on it, it seems to get all the attention.

Not only is the production stronger on TU but every song is good enough to stand on it's own.

Muzz Skilling's bass playing on this is exceptional, but everyone here delivers a stellar performance. For whatever reason, they were never able to capture this same vibe/energy or write songs this good once Muzz left.

Just wondered if anyone else here felt the same way?
Click to expand...
Coincidentally I’ve been listening to Time’s Up and the Biscuits EP quite a lot this week. To me it is their greatest record and one of my top 5 albums, also a massive influence on my own music. I love Doug Wimbush’s work with Tackhead but never felt he was right for Living Colour.
 
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#15
Living Colour have a huge place in my life. I met my partner 26 years ago (yikes!) partly because of a shared love of the band. I’d say Time’s Up is their masterpiece, too. It was weird, confident, brutal in places. Type’s riff always gets played as I’m warming up and I love the bass line to Under Cover of Darkness. Queen Latifah’s lines in that song are so well delivered.
 
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#16
Huge Living Colour Fan, grew up with a Guitar Mag centerfold (lol) of Vernon Reid on my wall with one of his old school Hamers. Grew up with friends who had older brothers who were metal heads/long-haired 80’s rockers so watched a lot of their VHS tapes they’d bought. Some amazing stories there about their shows, legacy at CBGB’s, what they dealt with as black rock musicians at some venues... for the record I loved Time’s Up and Vivid, always dug the Muzz over the newer stuff — dude had groove and added a fat pillow to their sound.
 
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#17
GregC said:
Agreed! I love the variety of styles, how they pull them off, and the songwriting. I still have a soft spot for Vivid, even though I like this one better.

I got to see LC in a small venue about 5 years ago, and they did Vivid all the way through and followed up with songs from the rest of their career, including Time's Up material and their cover of Should I Stay Or Should I Go. The craziest thing is, Corey can still hit all the notes!
Click to expand...

Corey Glover is really one of the best rock/soul singers out there, I'd put him up there with anybody. And unlike a lot of 80/90s era rock singers, he's still kept his power and range.
 
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#18
Wow! How weird to find this thread, as I have been listening to Vivid and Time’s Up all week!

I have been frequently revisiting these records since they were released, and they are STILL excellent!

Muzz has definitely been an influence on my playing.

Oh, and that chord Vernon Reid plays at the end of ‘Fight The Fight’...damn!!
 
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#20
How many bands sounded like LC at the time those albums were released? That's how awesome they are. I love both albums. Only ever matched by Kings X.

Is it the afro-american DNA that causes these bands to have such fantastic groove in their music going on? Am also a big fan of Eric Gales right now. Stuff that makes your head nod or feet tap and just make you feel good. Totally love it.
 
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