Time's Up

Editors’ Notes Living Colour's second studio album—like its predecessor, Vivid—nails down ambitious hard rock bordering on heavy metal and funk. Yet here the versatile group deepened their range considerably from the basic blueprint of the debut. Guest appearances from Queen Latifah, Don Byron, Doug E. Fresh, early supporter Mick Jagger, Little Richard, and Maceo Parker help keep the energy moving. The songs include Bad Brains–styled thrash on the title track, tough rockers (“Type,” Will Calhoun’s “Pride,” “Information Overload," and “New Jack Theme”), eclectic funk-punk (“Elvis Is Dead”), and psychedelic funk (Corey Glover’s “Under Cover of Darkness”). Guitar virtuoso Vernon Reid wrote much of the material, but he leaves plenty of room for the other members to lock in place and dominate. The album finishes with several contemplative songs—“Solace of You,” “This Is the Life”—that show the band's often-overlooked heart. (This was also Living Colour's final full-length studio album to feature bassist Muzz Skillings; he amicably parted ways after the Biscuits EP).