What makes Pride by Living Colour notable?

'Pride' received critical acclaim for its socially conscious themes and innovative sound, contributing to Living Colour's reputation as pioneers of the funk metal genre. The album's lead single, 'Pride,' exemplified their bold artistic direction, reaching notable positions on charts and solidifying their influence in both rock and funk scenes. Released on November 14, 1995, 'Pride' marks Living Colour's third studio album and follows their successful sophomore release, 'Time's Up.' At this point, the band was navigating their identity in a changing musical landscape, aiming to assert their relevance amidst the rise of grunge and alternative rock.

Pride works well if you're into dynamic peaks and valleys, celebratory anthems for resilience and thought-provoking lyrical explorations.

How many songs are on Pride?

Pride has 17 tracks, running approximately 75 minutes.

Pride

Living Colour · 1995

75 min · 17 tracks · alternative metal

A dynamic fusion of funk, metal, and social commentary woven into intricate rhythms and powerful vocals.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Pride — The title track encapsulates the band's exploration of identity and self-acceptance through a powerful blend of soaring vocals and rhythmic intensity.
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Release the Pressure — This track combines infectious grooves with an urgent message about societal constraints, showcasing the band's ability to merge fun with thought-provoking content.
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Love Rears Its Ugly Head (Soulpower re‐mix) — The remixed version revitalizes a classic hit with fresh energy while maintaining its critical commentary on love and relationships, highlighting the band's versatility.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

The album showcases strong compositions and production but suffers from cohesion issues due to bonus tracks.

What we noticed

The album opens with a strong lead single, 'Pride,' which sets a tone of social commentary and dynamic instrumentation.
Tracks like 'Release the Pressure' and 'Sacred Ground' feature complex rhythms that blend funk grooves with heavy metal riffs.
The sequencing includes a live track ('Memories Can’t Wait') and a remix ('Love Rears Its Ugly Head'), which disrupts the flow of original material.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

dynamic peaks and valleys
celebratory anthems for resilience
thought-provoking lyrical explorations
for group listening
energetic tracks for movement

Maybe skip if you

prefer instant gratification
seek uniform, predictable pacing

Where this album fits

In the catalog: Critical Peak — The album showcases innovative sound and social themes, marking a high point in their career.
Career context: Released on November 14, 1995, 'Pride' marks Living Colour's third studio album and follows their successful sophomore release, 'Time's Up.' At this point, the band was navigating their identity in a changing musical landscape, aiming to assert their relevance amidst the rise of grunge and alternative rock.
Stylistic neighbors: Faith No More· Red Hot Chili Peppers· Incubus