I swear if I read one more review comparing Living Colour to rap I am going to commit a hate crime. (Not that most music journalists don’t have it coming anyway…) But the band is known for confronting racial issues head on and the blatant racist comparisons I hear about this band are appalling. I’m not saying these guys are completely separated from rappers. I mean, Chuck D and Flava Flav did some dialogue on Living Colour’s debut album. But to come out and say these guys sound like rap is the result of some dick journalist seeing four black guys on the cover of an album and making assumptions.

Ah well. I suppose it does no good for me to rant about that injustice since it won’t change the fact that guitar magazines and music channels are going to continue to overlook Vernon Reid and yet portray John Mayer as some sort of phenom. The industry is completely racist on one hand and applauds mediocrity on the other (I guess that doesn’t make sense… the sound of one hand clapping, I suppose?). I’m not sure which is worse, but I think Mayer’s success is the result of some sort of talentless affirmative action. Think about it. Vernon Reid is one of the most innovative and dynamic guitarists to come from the late 80’s but the only black rock guitarist you hear about is Jimi Hendrix. With that quota out of the way, music publications and channels are free to convince you (with healthy kickbacks from Sony, no doubt) to listen to Mayer’s schmaltzy, annoying, uninspired, unengaging, unclever, unremarkable pop crap. Something’s missing indeed.

What was I saying?

Well, Living Colour is making a comeback now and I hope it lasts. They released an album last year, which was their first in a decade. The last album of new material was the hard rocking Stain (1993). That album impresses me to no end, but it’s not exactly what hit singles are made of. Still, this Auslander single is a welcome addition to my collection because I am a total rock snob and I insist on owning things that other people don’t, even if I have to make it up and burn it myself. But if you like Living Colour and you don’t mind techno remixes (which I do mind, by the way) then you should do yourself a favor and give this CD a try.

The album version of “Auslander” (German for foreigner) immediately starts off rocking. The unorthodox dissonant rhythm of guitarist Reid is striking in just how bizarrely catchy it is. It’s one of those riffs that was probably a mistake that just turned into something cool. Bassist Doug Wimbish accents the downbeat perfectly and really propels the song along. His slapping fills during the final choruses are a testament to his strength and prowess. Vocalist Glover turns what could have been a repetitive chorus into an anthem that is never over the top or cheesy. The band packs a lot of power into a two and a half minute song. This heavy rock track needs to be checked out for Vernon Reid’s Van Halen inspired fills and solos alone.

“In a new place, in a strange land
An undone new world, not a part of the plan
Hatred and fear is the language I know
Out of my home, out of control

Everything that I want, isn’t it everything that you’ve got?
Everything that I want, isn’t it everything that you’ve got?

How much more do you think I can take?
I yield to your smile, a victim’s mistake
I don’t want your life, I’ve got my own needs
A life of my own, a chance to be free”


The first remix (simply titled “remix”) I don’t have a problem with. It’s mostly some level changes, a few chorus and reverb effects thrown in here and there. It’s very true to the original. In fact, if this had been the album version I wouldn’t have minded at all since they are that closely related. However, the “Dub Lander” and “Overload” remixes are full of all of the techno remix cliches that you’ve heard a zillion times. Some people seem to enjoy this type of music. I just don’t get it. They’ll play the riff one time… then some wooshing effect fades from one channel to the other. Then the boom boom boom baboom boom boom boom electronic percussion kicks in ad nauseam. The overload remix is over seven minutes of this annoying, repetitive crap.

The “Advanced Technology” remix was done by someone from KMFDM if that helps give you an idea what it sounds like. I just don’t get it… For the sixth track of this massive maxi single we’re treated to a cover of Prince’s "17 Days”. I’m not a Prince fan by any stretch of the imagination. But when played by Living Colour this song isn’t that bad. Actually it’s got a fun groove and Corey Glover is able to mimic Prince’s prepubescent howls remarkably well.

“You’ve been gone 17 days
17 long nights
The main drag is knowing that
You’re holding someone else tight

I wanna to call you everyday
And beg you to be near me
But I know your head is underwater
I doubt that you could hear me

So let the rain come down
Let the rain come down”

You know… I’d like to say this is the only Prince in my collection but I actually own the Batman soundtrack on vinyl. Doo doo da doo oooh… Doo doo da doo waahhaa doo doo da doo yiiiiiiii

That sounds like it hurts.

I like the first two versions of “Auslander” and the Prince cover, but hate the other three remixes. My rating is based on that. That being said, the original song is good and represents the stunning Stain album well. Check them out.


Track Listing:
1. Auslander (album version)
2. Auslander (Remix)
3. Auslander (Dub Lander Mix)
4. Auslander (Overload Mix)
5. Auslander (Advanced Technology Mix)
6. 17 Days (unreleased cover)

Top picks: Album Version, Remix, 17 Days

Band Members:
Vernon Reid: guitar, synthesizer
Corey Glover: vocals
Doug Wimbish: bass
Will Calhoun: drums, percussion



Discography

ALBUMS
Vivid (1988)
Time’s Up (1990)
Stain (1993)
Collideoscope (2003)


SINGLES
Auslander (1993)

COLLECTIONS
Biscuits EP (1991)
Pride (1995)
Super Hits (1998)
Play it Loud (1998)


Recommended: Yes