Search - Bad Brains :: Build Nation

I never thought I would say this, but H.R.'s vocals are not

David L. Smith | San Diego, CA | 07/04/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I am as big of fan of the Bad Brains as you're going to find, going back to the early 80's. In fact, to this day, the best show I have ever seen was the Bad Brains in 1984 in San Francisco. So, when this release came out, I was totally pumped and picked it up the on the release day. Unfortunately, this CD just hasn't clicked for me. As others have said, it's almost as if the band is trying to make one record and HR is trying to do something else. Lyrically, it's what we would expect: Religious undertones and positive messages. On the punk songs, the music is fast, although somewhat sloppy. The production by Adam Yauch is decent, although fairly straightforward and simple. The vocals, however, are 2 or 3 tempos below the music and there are heavy effects on the vocals, including delays up the wazoo, which just get silly. In one way I respect what the band is trying to do, but they just don't seem to mesh with one another."

Bad Brains at their best...

D. Wees | Barquisemeto, Venezuala | 06/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rastafarians and hardcore punk rock. Crazy combination right? Well, the DC based Bad Brains are probably the only band who could pull it off. "Build A Nation" is an unbelievable album, from an unbelievably talented band. This CD, which features the four original members of the group, features 14 tracks, 9 of which showcase the hardcore punk rock sound that Bad Brains made famous over 25 years ago. The other 5 tracks are classic roots reggae songs, and in my opinion some of the best songs you'll find on this release. All 14 tracks are well produced, and well played. Bad Brains, despite their age, can still play music as hard and fast as they did back in the early 80s, and HR's voice is just as powerful and haunting as ever. Again, production and musicianship is top notch, making this one of the best Bad Brains records to ever be released. My only complaint is that the songs are very short in length (Pure Love lasts only 56 seconds). Other than that, this album is well worth your money, and any fan of Bad Brains or HR's solo stuff must own this. One love..."

Destroy Babylon

Michael J. Rudnicki | Dallas, TX | 07/02/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The band is on fire for the hardcore tracks, which definitely recall the ROIR sessions. HR, however, opts out of the rapid-fire delivery of yore and is content to repeat mantras or hang back and let the delay do its thing. It's evident that he's more into the reggae, which to my ears is the best the band has ever issued. Adam Yauch's production lends itself well to the reggae tracks-- filling them out with clavinet, brass, B-3, and other choice funky reggae and dubby spice. The reggae tracks sound so good that I'd almost rather hear the band do a whole album of them next time out (if there is a next time out). While HR sounds good on the smokin' rock tracks, it's obvious that he'd rather slowly and soulfully praise Jah than sing "Pay to Cum.""