Bad Brains

Of the many influential outfits reuniting for albums this year, D.C. reggae/hardcore act Bad Brains held only a shadow of a promise with its resurrected lineup. The doubt stemmed from a combination of lead singer H.R.'s reputation for erratic behavior and the fact that the band is almost two decades removed from its last relevant effort (1989's Quickness). With the help of producer Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys, though, the group dug deep to unleash Build a Nation, a galvanizing addition to the Bad Brains' great legacy.

Related Content

• Get Bent with the Beastie Boys' Hot Sauce Committee, Part 2
  April 26, 2011
• Mixtape Challenge: How Long Can You Listen to the Beastie Boys Go "OOOOoOOOo?"
  September 15, 2011
• Nicki Minaj's Chicken Wing Necklace, and 10 Other Crazy Musical Accessories
  September 28, 2011
• The Top Ten Hip-Hop Drinking Anthems
  May 4, 2011
• Is SpongeBob-Beating Ad Rock the Coolest Man Alive? (Why, Yes. Yes He Is.)
  June 10, 2011

More About

• Bad Brains
• Adam Yauch
• Earl Hudson
• Darryl Jenifer
• The Beastie Boys

Like this Story?

Sign up for the Music Newsletter: Keep your thumb on the local music scene with music features, additional online music listings and show picks. We'll also send special ticket offers and music promotions available only to our Music Newsletter subscribers.

Privacy Policy Cancel Continue

After a heavily processed vocal introduction from H.R., opener "Give Thanks and Praises" explodes with a skull-rattling Dr. Know guitar riff and the kind of hell-bent onslaught that made bassist Darryl Jenifer and drummer Earl Hudson one of the fiercest rhythm sections in punk history. A touch of Echoplex magic gives blistering tracks like "Jah People Make the World Go Round" and "Universal Peace" an added dimension. Yauch's analog approach elevates the reggae grooves of "Natty Dreadlocks 'pon the Mountain Top" and "Roll On" to dubwise transcendence that brilliantly balances the disc's hardcore fury. Even if H.R.'s delivery doesn't match his frenzied vitriol from classic-era Bad Brains, Build a Nation stands as one of the most shockingly potent comebacks in recent memory.