Search - Bad Brains :: Rise

Jo S. (phatsno) from RIVERSIDE, CA
Reviewed on 9/3/2011...

Although this album is not their best, I can honestly say it is one of their most creative. For any die hard Bad Brains fan (and fans of similar artists), I recommend this album!

Actually, 4 and 1/2 stars. Keep an open mind - not your typi

Kevin Rienecker | Portland, OR USA | 05/25/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Lots of mixed reviews for this album from the Bad Brains faithful, I think mostly because HR and his roaring voice is absent from this more mainstream production, and the fact that the usual hard/speedcore stlye has been toned - but not watered - down, into more of the mid-90's funk/metal/soul/ska sound -- a la Fishbone at their heaviest, or 24-7 Spyz at their funkiest (speaking of which, the line-up I saw when B.B. were on tour for this release included Rick Skatore from the 'Spyz, filling in on bass duty, and the show f'n rocked!).



For my buck, taken alone and not as part of the Bad Brains lexicon, Rise is a great disk, without a bad song on the entire album. The title trak rocks as hard as anything B.B. has done. The ska/reggae tunes don't have the usual heavy, crunching vibe I prefer, but the cover of Graham Central Station's 'Hair' is funk-rock heaven, and singer Joseph Israel's HR influenced growls are all over the place in 'Coming In Numbers'. The rest of the band is as solid as ever, especially Dr. Know's transendent sonic guitar work.



Overall, definitely worth ten bucks, even if it won't cause any riots in D.C."

Cranky robot

R. O'Neil | Brooklyn... top of the foodchain. | 08/17/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The material is good, the recording is good, the performances are good, but that's not enough. This isn't the classic Bad Brains line-up, and that's obvious. The chemistry that makes the earlier Bad Brains recordings so compelling is missing. I would recommend "Rock For Light" or "I Against I" instead. "Rise" is only essential for the fanatical Bad Brains fan."