We’ve established that we love a good album opener here at Music of Matthew dot com, and Suicidal Tendencies kicks off Lights…Camera…Revolution with one helluva opener in “You Can’t Bring Me Down”. It has all of the elements that make thrash metal great– moody delay guitars, huge fuzzy melodic guitar solos, an absolutely ripping rhythm section, thunderous guitars that shred, and frenetic vocal lines that emphasize the upbeat.
It’s a brilliant opener to an album that covers a lot of ground. Suicidal Tendencies’ thrash and hardcore chops are well-chronicled, but in Lights…Camera…Revolution they introduce a bunch of funk elements into the mix that freshen things up. There’s such a (pardon the pun) lovely swag in “Lovely” throughout both the vocal melody and bass line that feels fresh and fun. “Get Whacked” kicks off with mariachi horns that announce the song like a goddamn party, and “Send Me Your Money” sounds like Blood Sugar Sex Magik era Red Hot Chili Peppers decided to write a thrash album.
Oftentimes metal can be a little self-serious, but Suicidal Tendencies willingness to push outside of that comfort zone is a hallmark of their sound. A lot of that evolution is likely due to bassist Robert Trujillo joining the band (where he rose to fame before joining Metallica in 2003) for his first album.
Suicidal Tendencies will forever be best known for their song “Institutionalized” off their 1983 self-titled debut, but for my money Lights…Camera…Revolution remains their high water mark.
Standout Songs: “You Can’t Bring Me Down”, “Lovely”, “Get Whacked”
