It’s been over 21 years since Living Colour came screaming and kicking down the doors of rock n’roll hierarchy with their debut album, “Vivid” (May 1988). They demolished the racial barriers that had been set in place by the industry with an arsenal of requitable lyrics and prodigious musical prowess. This was a band that could not (and would not) be ignored. The critical acclaim, success and fame that “Vivid” awarded them however, brought forth many clandestine undertones and situations that would have shattered a lesser group.

All grown up now, with the battle scars to prove it, their fifth studio CD, “The Chair in the Doorway” is a testament to the validity of Living Colour’s talent, longevity and the resiliency of friendship. Recorded over a whirlwind 21 day period at Czechoslovakia's Sono Studios, Living Colour has delivered a CD that could very well produce some “battlecry songs” for a whole new generation; in the same way “Cult of Personality” did two decades ago. This band still has something to say…in a big way.

This is the first time that LC has written a conceptual album. The songs all express or address some aspect of the fragility of the American economic and political systems, which have brought about the current state of unrest, soul searching, and title waves of dislocation. The lyrics are gripping, poignant and metaphorically rich.

From the first trippy guitar cords of the first song, “Burned Bridges”, to the opening tricky licks of “The Chair”, listeners should be warned to expect a tumultuous but wondrous ride on the roller coaster that is Living Colour. “Decadance” screams of the consequences that excess has cost our country and citizens.

“Those that dare to question
Those that dare to dream
Buried alive in your shit
No one can hear you scream
In the belly of the beast
You stood tall
Didn’t anybody tell you?
All empires must fall.”

“Method” has a Pink Floyd feel to it that resonates the financial hangover felt by millions:

“The party’s over
The circus has left town
It’s the morning after
And you’re coming down
Down
Down

Purported to be the first single, “Behind The Sun”, is hauntingly U2’ish in a good way. The lyrics are heartbreaking and are a reflection of Corey Glover’s troubled feelings about the lack of progress in New Orleans so many years after Hurricane Katrina:

“Living behind
the darkness of the sun
Everyone’s here but
Nobody comes

You may see
You may care
We’re still here
You’re still there

Things tone down a little with the phenomenal bluesy funk that surrounds “Bless Those (Little Annie’s Prayer)” and the behind-the-beat blues on “Not Tomorrow”. Don’t get too comfortable though, because “Out of My Mind” will knock you on your ass! Glover delivers the screamo lyrics in a raw, thrashy way that is the perfect compliment to the hard-core beat. “Asshole” is an ironically funny tune about a guy that leaves his love to see the world and everyone and everything (inanimate objects included) think he’s just an … asshole!

If you are a Living Colour fan, then for the love of all that is good…get this album! If you are a newbie, then welcome to the wonderful, kaleidoscope world of Living Colour baby! Enjoy.