特定の時期を明示しつつ時間を超越したタイムレスなアルバムというのがあるが、『There's A Riot Going On』は、まさにそんなアルバムの一つに挙げられる。セクシーで陽気でありながら、決して傲慢なファンクまたはポップにならない曲をいくつか出した後、スライ・ストーンの曲折した才能はダークでムーディー、思慮深いが激しい怒りを含む。しかし、その深さのためにファンキーさが失なわれているわけではない。ストーンが語りかけたのは、混乱に陥っていた1971年のアメリカだけでなく、麻薬に冒されていった自分自身の生活でもあった。ヒット曲(「Family Affair」)でさえ抑え気味で心を動かされるものがある。危険な美しさを持ったアルバムだ。
Album Description
Since it took almost two years to make, the fifth album by now bonafide superstars Sly & the Family Stone had everyone salivating in anticipation. Needless to say, Sly did not disappoint! 1971's There's A Riot Goin' On finds the Bay Area-based genius getting funkier than before, even as his artistic vision becomes darker. Some may have been disappointed that Sly didn't simply re-create the chart successes of earlier singles, but who can argue with the flat-out brilliance of turning recent big hit "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" on its head to create the mind-boggling "Thank You For Talkin' To Me Africa" Two of this hypnotic album's best tunes" Family Affair" and "Runnin' Away" were gigantic chart hits, proving beyond any doubt that Sly Stone could totally deliver the goods!
Amazon.com
Certain albums both define a specific point in time and yet manage to be timeless. Such an album is There's A Riot Going On. After a few records of sexy, sunny, but never cavalier funk/pop, the twisted genius of Sly Stone turned dark, moody, reflective, angry, but no less funky for the contemplation. Stone created an album that spoke not only to the turmoil gripping America in 1971, but also to the chaos whirling around his increasingly druggy personal life. This is an album of dangerous beauty, where even the hit ("Family Affair") is guarded and haunting. --Amy Linden
