Suicidal Tendencies

Lights...Camera...Revolution! (1990)

Alex

Lights…Camera…Revolution! marks the first Suicidal Tendencies album featuring then-bassist Robert Trujillo -- who joined the band in 1989 -- with his funky styles.

Released in 1990, Suicidal Tendencies proved that they would stay "funk metal" until their first break-up in 1995 and even did quite better than their older releases, including their well-known 1983 self-titled debut. Lights…Camera…Revolution! must be included among metal's finest moments. Yet, simply calling it a metal album would be doing this album a massive injustice. It incorporates punk, rock, and frontman Mike Muir's clever lyrical content. Its tight metal sound, perfect riffing, and searing solos from guitarist Rocky George make this disc all the more special.

If you're a huge fan of thrash metal (or funk metal), you should check out this record and you'll get to hear Robert Trujillo's funky bass styles. "Alone," "Lovely," "Send Me Your Money" and "Emotion No. 13" are classics as well their famous video single "You Can't Bring Me Down." In "You Can't Bring Me Down," singer Mike Muir does anger management by shouting lyrics like "just 'cause you don't understand what's going on, don't mean it don't make no sense and just 'cause you don't like it, don't mean it ain't no good. Before you take a walk in my world, you better take a look at the real world, 'cause this ain't no Mr. Rogers neighborhood" and then tops it with "here's my apology for one more thing, fuck you!"

George and Trujillo are both awesome musicians, and many Suicidal albums without them are not nearly as good. Check out The Art of Rebellion, Suicidal for Life, How Will I Laugh Tomorrow, Join the Army and Controlled by Hatred for more excellent metal by Suicidal. All these albums are full of great musicianship including lyrics, bass and drum beats and amazing guitar work.

Again, you really have to check out Lights…Camera…Revolution!. Suicidal's best, it's definitely a record worth owning and listening to repeatedly. If you don't remember who Suicidal was, they were one of first crossover thrash bands to come out of Venice, California, along with their hometown heroes Excel, Beowülf and Uncle Slam, just to name a few.