The Classic Metal Album Reviews:
Title: Stain
Artist: Living Colour
Label: Epic
Release Date: 3/2/93

Rating: 5 Skulls
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    • garthg's Review:
    My first encounter with Living Colour was on MTV. This song I'd never heard called "Cult of Personality" came on, and these four black guys were thrashing around in bright-coloured neoprene suits, playing some of the most kick-ass music I'd heard. I was hooked.

    Fast-forward to Stain, the band's third full-length album. I can't honestly say that Stain is their best album, that honor goes to Time's Up, an amazingly complex mixture of musical genres played with incredible musicianship, all placed side-by-side to create one of the most complete albums I've ever heard. One of the best albums ever made, and Stain is not far behind. So, why review Stain here in stead of Time's Up? Well, this is Metal Judgment, and Stain is Living Colour's most metal album.

    Stain pulls together a collection of songs that display the anger, anguish and aggressiveness of the band at the time. Once again, they speak their minds on everything from racism, apathy and loneliness to sexuality. This time, though, they make use of more sampling and technical noise to create thicker sounds that mix very well with the full-bodied, lightning-quick guitar style that is the trademark of Vernon Reid.

    The songs get heavier from past Living Colour albums, with great thrashing numbers like "Go Away," "Mind Your Own Business" and "This Little Pig." Corey Glover, one of the most talented singers alive, makes use of his ability to slide from a soul croon that's the worthy successor of Al Green to an evil, full-throated growl. On "Nothingness," one of the most beautifully haunting songs ever recorded, Glover's voice intertwines through the synth strings, filled out by an echo effect created by singing into a satellite dish. On the next song, "Postman," a trip into the thoughts of a killer, Glover's voice perfectly conveys the maniacal state of mind of the song's character.

    Someone recently said to me that she loved Living Colour "10 years ago." Ridiculous. The band was so far ahead of their time, their music will be just as creative and memorable for a long time to come. Here's a metal salute to a band that had true integrity and creativity. Rare things in the music world, and Stain is one of the even more rare cases of a truly-deserved Grammy win.
    5 out of 5

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