| Shade | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | September 8, 2017 | |||
| Recorded | 2013–2017 | |||
| Length | 48:32 | |||
| Label | Megaforce | |||
| Producer | Andre Betts [1] | |||
| Living Colour chronology | ||||
| ||||
| Aggregate scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Metacritic | (74/100) [2] |
| Review scores | |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |    [3] |
| PopMatters | 9/10 [4] |
| Q | [5] |
| Rolling Stone | [6] |
Shade is the sixth studio album by American rock band Living Colour, released in 2017. [1] It was their first studio album in eight years, following The Chair in the Doorway (2009).
Living Colour began working on Shade about a year after the release of The Chair in the Doorway. In a 2010 interview with The Break Down Room, vocalist Corey Glover hoped that a new Living Colour album would be released in 2011, and stated, "We're going to do something different [for us] and make a real record, right now, right after we've done this one. Imagine that." [7] In a May 2012 interview with Rolling Stone , guitarist Vernon Reid revealed that "Living Colour just got together a few weeks ago – preparing to do a bunch of writing in preparation to make a record for 2013." He added, "Everyone is insanely busy, but it feels so good when we're together and connecting that I really look forward to making the next record." [8]
On June 30, 2014, it was announced that Living Colour's sixth studio album, titled Shade, would be released in the fall. [9] However, the album's release date was later pushed back to early 2015. [10] For unknown reasons, the release of the album would continue to be delayed. Asked in March 2015 about the meaning of the album's title, Glover replied, "As time progresses, a shadow falls, and it's about the progression of time. We're trying to dissect and really take the roots of the music that created us and take it to task." [11]
On the making of Shade, Glover explained to Loudwire in June 2016:
"It took us almost four years to make this record. We went through problems with managers, with record companies and schedules — it just took forever and finally we got it done. I can't wait to get that process over with so I can go back and start working on new stuff again, personally, and just start writing new things. Part of the process was that we weren't going to compromise on a lot of stuff. There were some sonic things that we weren't going to compromise on; we needed to get it right. It took long enough, so hopefully it's right. I mean, we'll still have to fix things — 'right' to us is that you don't go, 'Uh, if only I had done this.' At the same time, there's something about discovering something as you play it that changes it and that makes the difference between the recorded version and the live version. "Cult of Personality" live doesn't sound the way it was recorded because we've been playing it for almost thirty years and it changes based on the environment, the gear and the temperament and all that. I think we're satisfied with Shade for what it is as a recording." [12]
On May 12, 2017, it was announced that Shade would be released on September 8, and its artwork, by Washington, D.C. area artist Anike Robinson, was released. [1]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Freedom of Expression (F.O.X.)" | 2:54 |
| 2. | "Preachin' Blues" (Robert Johnson cover) | 4:20 |
| 3. | "Come On" | 3:22 |
| 4. | "Program" | 4:43 |
| 5. | "Who Shot Ya?" (The Notorious B.I.G. cover) | 3:38 |
| 6. | "Always Wrong" | 4:04 |
| 7. | "Blak Out" | 2:29 |
| 8. | "Pattern in Time" | 2:56 |
| 9. | "Who's That" | 4:10 |
| 10. | "Glass Teeth" | 2:59 |
| 11. | "Invisible" | 3:45 |
| 12. | "Inner City Blues" (Marvin Gaye cover) | 4:00 |
| 13. | "Two Sides" | 5:12 |
| Chart (2017) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Scottish Albums (OCC) [13] | 66 |
| Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade) [14] | 25 |
| US Independent Albums (Billboard) [15] | 15 |
| US Top Album Sales (Billboard) [16] | 43 |
| US Top Hard Rock Albums (Billboard) [17] | 12 |
| UK Independent Albums (OCC) [18] | 16 |
| UK Rock & Metal Albums (OCC) [19] | 7 |
Linkin Park is an American rock band formed in Agoura Hills, California, in 1996. The band's lineup consists of vocalist/rhythm guitarist/keyboardist Mike Shinoda, lead guitarist Brad Delson, bassist Dave Farrell, DJ/turntablist Joe Hahn, and drummer Rob Bourdon, with vocalist Chester Bennington also part of the band until his death in 2017. Categorized as alternative rock, Linkin Park's earlier music spanned a fusion of heavy metal and hip hop, while their later music features more electronica and pop elements.
Staind is an American rock band from Springfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1995. The original lineup consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Aaron Lewis, lead guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist and backing vocalist Johnny April, and drummer Jon Wysocki. The lineup has been stable outside of the 2011 departure of Wysocki, who was replaced by Sal Giancarelli. Staind has recorded and released eight studio albums: Tormented (1996), Dysfunction (1999), Break the Cycle (2001), 14 Shades of Grey (2003), Chapter V (2005), The Illusion of Progress (2008), Staind (2011), and Confessions of the Fallen (2023).
Slipknot is an American heavy metal band formed in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1995 by percussionist Shawn Crahan, former vocalist Anders Colsefni and bassist Paul Gray. After several lineup changes in its early years, the band settled on nine members for more than a decade: Crahan, Gray, Joey Jordison, Craig Jones, Mick Thomson, Corey Taylor, Sid Wilson, Chris Fehn, and Jim Root. Slipknot is well known for its attention-grabbing image, aggressive style of music, and energetic and chaotic live shows.
Living Colour is an American rock band from New York City, formed in 1984. The band currently consists of guitarist Vernon Reid, lead vocalist Corey Glover, drummer Will Calhoun and bassist Doug Wimbish. Stylistically, their music is a creative fusion influenced by heavy metal, funk, jazz, hip hop, punk, and alternative rock. The band's lyrics range from the personal to the political, including social commentary on racism in the United States.
Vivid is the debut studio album by American rock band Living Colour, released on May 2, 1988, by Epic Records. It was one of the most popular albums of 1988, peaking at number six on the US Billboard 200 chart and being certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Corey Todd Taylor is an American musician, songwriter, author and actor. He is the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Slipknot, in which he is designated #8, as well as the lead vocalist, guitarist, lyricist, and sole continuous member of the rock band Stone Sour.
Vernon Alphonsus Reid is a British-born American guitarist and songwriter best known as the founder of the rock band Living Colour. Reid was named No. 66 on Rolling Stone magazine's 2003 list of the 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time, and in August 2023, was ranked #42 in Rolling Stone Magazine top 250 Greatest Guitarists of all time. Critic Steve Huey writes, "[Reid's] rampant eclecticism encompasses everything from heavy metal and punk to funk, R&B and avant-garde jazz, and his anarchic, lightning-fast solos have become something of a hallmark as well."
Stone Sour was an American rock band formed in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1992. The band performed for five years before disbanding in 1997. They reunited in 2000 and since 2015, the group has consisted of Corey Taylor, Josh Rand (guitar), Christian Martucci (guitar), Johny Chow (bass) and Roy Mayorga (drums). Longtime members Joel Ekman and Shawn Economaki left the band in 2006 and 2011, respectively. Former lead guitarist Jim Root left in 2014. The band has been on an indefinite hiatus since 2020.
Biscuits was an EP of live and unreleased cuts by Living Colour, released on July 16, 1991. The Sony Music Japan edition of this disc had nine extra tracks not available on the international editions, making Biscuits a compilation album. This is the final Living Colour release to feature bassist Muzz Skillings.
Corey Michael Glover is an American singer. He is the lead vocalist of the rock band Living Colour and has toured as the vocalist for the funk band Galactic. As an actor, he played Francis in the 1986 war movie Platoon.
Time's Up is the second studio album by the band Living Colour, released on August 28, 1990, through Epic Records. It was the follow-up to their successful 1988 album Vivid. Time's Up features a wide range of genres and also includes cameo appearances by Queen Latifah, Little Richard, Doug E. Fresh, Maceo Parker and James Earl Jones. The album reached gold status, peaking at #13 on the Billboard 200, and won a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance. It is the final album to feature Muzz Skillings on bass, though it was not his last release with the band. In late February 2014, the album was reissued in Europe by Music On CD and is available once again.
Stain is the third studio album by American rock band Living Colour. It was released on March 2, 1993, by Epic Records. It is the first album to feature bassist Doug Wimbish. Stain features a generally heavier sound with more pessimistic themes, the songs representing a range of genres. It peaked at #26 on the Billboard 200.
Live from CBGB is a live album by Living Colour recorded live on December 19, 1989 at the CBGB club, but not released until January 11, 2005 by Epic Records. This concert was the band's homecoming after experiencing worldwide success with the studio album Vivid throughout 1988 and 1989.
"Cult of Personality" is a song by American rock band Living Colour, featured as the opening track and second single from their debut studio album Vivid (1988). The song was released in 1988, and reached No. 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 9 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. It won the Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance at the 32nd Annual Grammy Awards. Its music video won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Group Video and MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist.
Collideøscope is the fourth studio album by American rock band Living Colour. Released on October 7, 2003, it was their first studio album in eight years. Living Colour began recording Collideøscope in 2001; many of the songs are about the September 11 attacks.
"Elvis Is Dead" is a song by American rock group Living Colour from their second studio album Time's Up (1990). The song was the third single from the album, and features guests Little Richard on vocals and Maceo Parker on saxophone.
The Chair in the Doorway is the fifth studio album by American rock band Living Colour, released on September 15, 2009. It was the band's first studio album since the release of Collideøscope in 2003, and their first release on Megaforce Records. The album met generally positive reviews and sold about 2,800 copies in its first week landing at #161 on the Billboard 200. This is their first album to chart since Stain in 1993.
Dread is a live album by Living Colour released only in Japan September 23, 1993. It contains live recordings from the Stain tour, an acoustic radio session and two B-sides. The live recordings were recorded on 7 June 1993 at Le Zenith in Paris, France, and at a concert on 24 April 1993 at the Riviera Theatre in Chicago. The radio session was recorded for a Dutch radio show called Countdown Café in February 1993. Both of the B-sides were recorded during the Stain sessions.
Still Sucks is the sixth studio album by American nu metal band Limp Bizkit, released on October 31, 2021, through Suretone Records. Work on the album began in 2012, but the album lingered in development hell for the next nine years. The album's lead single "Dad Vibes" was premiered at the end of a performance at Lollapalooza on August 2, 2021, and officially released on September 30, 2021, marking their first brand-new material to be released for seven years.
We Are Not Your Kind is the sixth studio album by American heavy metal band Slipknot. Recorded at EastWest Studios in Hollywood, California with co-producer Greg Fidelman, it was released on August 9, 2019, by Roadrunner Records. The title is taken from a lyric in the song "All Out Life", which was released as a standalone single in 2018 and features as a bonus track on the Japanese edition of the album. We Are Not Your Kind is the only Slipknot album to be recorded as an eight-member band, as their former percussionist Chris Fehn was fired from the band in March 2019 after suing the group for alleged unpaid royalties.
