Bad Brains | ||
| Allmusic Biography : By melding punk with reggae, Bad Brains became one of the definitive American hardcore punk groups of the early 80s. Although the group released only a handful of records during its peak, including the legendary cassette-only debut, Bad Brains, they developed a dedicated following, many of whom would later form their own hardcore and alternative bands. As for Bad Brains themselves, they continued to record and tour in varying lineups led by guitarist Dr. Know into the late 90s yet never managed to break out of their cult status. Dr. Know (born Gary Miller), a former jazz fusion guitarist, formed Bad Brains in 1979, inspired by both the amateurish rage of the Sex Pistols and the political reggae of Bob Marley. Realizing that the lines between punk and reggae were already blurred in the U.K., he set out to replicate that situation in the U.S., and he recruited several similarly minded musicians -- vocalist H.R. (born Paul D. Hudson), bassist Darryl Aaron Jenifer, and drummer Earl Hudson -- to prove his point. Bad Brains quickly became one of the most popular punk bands on the East Coast, particularly in their hometown of Washington, D.C. Their live performances were legendary, but their recordings were difficult to find. Their debut single, "Pay to Cum," was pressed in limited numbers, and their 1982 debut album was only issued in cassette form by ROIR. In addition to the Bad Brains tape, the group released a handful of other EPs in 1982, finally moving to PVC for 1983s full-length debut, Rock for Light, which was produced by Ric Ocasek. The handful of indie recordings Bad Brains left behind, as well as their live shows, made the band legendary in American hardcore, yet few potential fans could actually hear the band due to poor distribution and erratic touring. The band took three years to deliver the follow-up to Rock for Light, finally releasing I Against I on SST in 1986. In those three years, the group developed more heavy metal leanings, and the resulting record received mixed reviews. More importantly, it divided the band, with Dr. Know and Jenifer wishing to continue to pursue heavy rock, and H.R. and Hudson wanting to devote themselves to reggae. Over the next three years, the latter pair frequently left the band to make reggae albums before finally departing in 1989. They were replaced by Israel Joseph-I (born Dexter Pinto) and Mackie Jayson, respectively. In the wake of the alternative rock boom of the early 90s, Bad Brains were finally offered a major-label contract in 1993, releasing Rise on Epic later that year. The album bombed and the group was dropped. Maverick Records offered the group a contract in 1995, provided that the original lineup reunited. They did so and released God of Love that summer, to mixed reviews and poor sales. H.R. and Hudson left the band shortly after the albums release, and the band was dropped by Maverick. In 1998 the band again reunited and began touring under the name Soul Brains. In 2002, Reggae Lounge compiled remixes of Bad Brains 80s hits and released a full-length dub album titled I & I Survived. The following year Caroline released Banned in DC: Bad Brains Greatest Riffs, a solid anthology compiling songs from their first album up to Quickness. For the next few years, the group members concentrated on solo endeavors, with a few scattered guest appearances on other bands albums or live shows. In 2006, Bad Brains reunited for a few shows at CBGBs, which quickly sold out. With a resurging interest in the band, in early 2007, Megaforce announced that they had signed them to their roster. Under Beastie Boy Adam Yauchs studio supervision, the original band went back to the studio for the first time in over a decade and recorded Build a Nation, an inspired attempt at returning to the bands hardcore roots. In early 2011 the band began work on the next record. The record was initially titled "Lets Have Fun", but that title didnt stick and was changed to Into the Future, an album which saw release in November of 2012. | ||
 | Album: 1 of 20 Title: Bad Brains Released: 1982 Tracks: 16 Duration: 36:13 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Sailin’ On (01:55) 2 Don’t Need It (01:07) 3 Attitude (01:19) 4 The Regulator (01:08) 5 Banned in D.C. (02:10) 6 Jah Calling (02:32) 7 Supertouch / Shitfit (02:31) 8 Leaving Babylon (04:10) 9 Fearless Vampire Killers (01:07) 10 I (02:05) 11 Big Take Over (02:57) 12 Pay to Cum (01:25) 13 Right Brigade (02:27) 14 I Luv I Jah (06:22) 15 Intro (00:45) 16 Extro (02:08) |
| Bad Brains : Allmusic album Review : For fans of hardcore, many would agree that the holy grail of the genre is Bad Brains self-titled album, originally released back in 1982 as a cassette-only release on ROIR. The ensuing years after its initial release havent dulled the albums fury and rage in the least, and its still impressive how the band can switch gears from red-hot hardcore to cool reggae dubs in the blink of an eye. All the classics are here: "Sailin On," "Banned in D.C.," "Pay to Cum," "Right Brigade," as well as one of their strongest reggae tunes, "I Luv I Jah." The back of the album boasts a quote from the Beastie Boys Adam Yauch, which sums up the proceedings simply, "the best punk/hardcore album of all time." [Although Bad Brains was available on CD on the now-defunct In Effect label in the late 80s (then titled Attitude: The ROIR Sessions with a different album cover), its since been remastered and re-released with its original cover, as well as an untitled bonus track added at the end.] | ||
 | Album: 2 of 20 Title: I And I Survive Released: 1982 Tracks: 4 Duration: 05:16 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 I and I Survive (05:16) 2 Destroy Babylon (?) 3 Coptic Times (?) 4 Joshuas Song (?) |
 | Album: 3 of 20 Title: Rock for Light Released: 1983-03 Tracks: 17 Duration: 38:19 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Coptic Times (02:13) 2 Attitude (01:12) 3 We Will Not (01:40) 4 Sailin’ On (01:50) 5 Rally ’Round Jah Throne (04:44) 6 Right Brigade (02:30) 7 F.V.K. (00:48) 8 Riot Squad (02:02) 9 The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth (03:43) 10 Joshua’s Song (00:34) 11 Banned in D.C. (02:05) 12 How Low Can a Punk Get (01:55) 13 Big Takeover (02:40) 14 I and I Survive (05:13) 15 Destroy Babylon (01:25) 16 Rock for Light (01:25) 17 At the Movies (02:20) |
| Rock for Light : Allmusic album Review : After the tinny sound quality of the bands debut, the second Bad Brains album came as a real blast of sonic fresh air. Producer Ric Ocasek is largely responsible, but the increased tightness and focus are also a function of maturation. This band was a weird bundle of contradictions from day one: black Rastafarian instrumental virtuosos playing hardcore punk, formerly the exclusive domain of white, aggressively atheist musical amateurs. That last contradiction would come to full musical flower on I Against I, but Rock for Light shows the band at the height of its punk energy. "P.M.A.," "Joshuas Song," and "Coptic Times" are typical examples of Bad Brains unique blend of punk velocity and Rasta ideology. When they suddenly swing into mellow reggae (on "I and I Survive," "The Meek," "Rally Round Jah Throne," and the dubwise instrumental "Jam"), the effect is like some kind of pleasant musical whiplash. The 1990 CD reissue of this album was remixed by Ocasek and bassist Darryl Jenifer, and it includes several bonus tracks. | ||
 | Album: 4 of 20 Title: I Against I Released: 1986 Tracks: 10 Duration: 31:28 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify TrackSamples Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Intro (01:02) 2 I Against I (02:50) 3 House of Suffering (02:29) 4 Re-Ignition (04:16) 5 Secret 77 (04:04) 6 Let Me Help (02:17) 7 Shes Calling You (03:42) 8 Sacred Love (03:40) 9 Hired Gun (03:45) 10 Return to Heaven (03:19) |
| I Against I : Allmusic album Review : I Against I was for Bad Brains what London Calling was for the Clash -- the bands first fully mature work, one which successfully brought together all of its diverse influences while at the same time showcasing a singular vision. Also like London Calling, it was to be the bands masterpiece, in the original sense of that term -- a creative pinnacle which they would not reach again. The album opens with the title track, a blistering and musically exhilarating deploration of violence, and then moves directly into "House of Suffering," easily the most complex and yet viscerally compelling song the band ever produced. Singer H.R. digs deep into his bag of voices and pulls them all out, one by one: the frightening nasal falsetto that was his signature in the bands hardcore days, an almost bel canto baritone, and a declamatory speed-rap chatter that spews lyrics with the mechanical precision of a machine gun. He positively croons on the surprisingly melodic "Secret 77" and "Let Me Help." But his voice isnt even the best thing happening here. Its the incredibly tight, funky, and tonally rich interplay between guitarist Dr. Know, bassist Darryl Jenifer, and drummer Earl Hudson that gives this album its deeply satisfying texture. The stop/start rhythms of "Secret 77" and "Sacred Love," the gorgeous guitar hook on "Shes Calling You," Dr. Knows completely counterintuitive ability to meld the raw directness of hardcore punk with an almost supernatural virtuosity without sacrificing the power of either approach -- this is music-making of an order not usually seen in rock & roll. | ||
 | Album: 5 of 20 Title: Live Released: 1988 Tracks: 14 Duration: 44:21 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 I (02:27) 2 At the Movies (03:01) 3 The Regulator (01:15) 4 Right Brigade (02:34) 5 I Against I (03:02) 6 I & I Survive (06:11) 7 House of Suffering (02:17) 8 Re‐ignition (04:34) 9 Sacred Love (03:25) 10 Shes Calling You (03:19) 11 Coptic Times (02:20) 12 F.V.K (01:07) 13 Secret 77 (04:05) 14 Day Tripper (04:43) |
| Live : Allmusic album Review : This band should have 12 live albums out by now. The greatest live rock & roll band of all time has made but one studio LP that reflected this ungodly ferociousness, and that was cassette-only. Frankly, if you dont have that tape -- the self-titled ROIR tape, still the biggest seller in ROIR history -- dont think, buy, and be blown away. This is the second record that will astonish even their oldest of fans. Strangely, this documents the 1987 I Against I Bad Brains (doesnt say where it was recorded, but it sounds like the Ritz), when they were at their nadir as a live band. The 1979-1983 Bad Brains were so vastly superior its too bad, but Live is still such a sonic wonder, an aural pasting that could turn even Nobel scientists into stammering ninnies, that its not to be missed. Clearly one of the hot live albums of all time, it manages this with a bass mixed so low as to be faint, and a guitarist (the great Dr. Know) whod monkeyed around with his sound so much hed completely lost the wicked edge he was known for. With all these faults, Live is such a stunner because the basic inimitable qualities are still here: the unbelievable overload attack, the crashing power riffs, the stop-start precision marveled at by every casual listener who ever came across them, the explosive surges, the awesome musicians, the breathtaking exhilaration rush, and most of all, the irreplaceable singer H.R. In a sub-rock culture that’s justifiably made a demigod out of H.R. fan Iggy Pop, not even Pop himself at his Stooges prime was a match for the complete madness of H.R. The shocking wild abandon, the belly of the beast ascending, the manic whirl of syllables whooshing by, the animal screams, shouts, and alternate hums of this frenzied larynx (not even Pop and Little Richard could go from a full-throated scream to a quiet, calm tone so fast) deal body blows. Really, its impossible to describe the fury, the might, the indestructible force of the Bad Brains, without hearing. Its not a matter of subjective taste; even those who dont like this will concede theyve never heard anything like it before, nor are they likely to again. This BB lineup was a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon. Even the bandmembers themselves know this, as they tried to reunite the quartet in April 1989 without success. You just gotta hear these versions of "At the Movies" and "I," so burning its dizzying, so alive you can almost see H.R.s feet hit at the end of the back-flip he always did to end the song (a perfectly timed sight that dazzled every audience). Never mind that much of side two features lesser later tracks; when you blast off, you won’t care for how long. This must be what its like to be on speed. Ignore the super Rock for Light and almost commercial I Against I, good as they are. Go straight for that ROIR cassette and this. And watch out for flies and swirling debris while your mouth is hanging open for a half hour. | ||
 | Album: 6 of 20 Title: Attitude: The ROIR Sessions Released: 1989 Tracks: 15 Duration: 34:05 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Sailin’ On (01:55) 2 Don’t Need It (01:07) 3 Attitude (01:19) 4 The Regulator (01:08) 5 Banned in D.C. (02:10) 6 Jah Calling (02:32) 7 Supertouch / Shitfit (02:31) 8 Leaving Babylon (04:10) 9 Fearless Vampire Killers (01:07) 10 I (02:05) 11 Big Take Over (02:57) 12 Pay to Cum (01:25) 13 Right Brigade (02:27) 14 I Luv I Jah (06:23) 15 Intro (00:45) |
| Attitude: The ROIR Sessions : Allmusic album Review : Technically, the album sounds terrible. Musically, its mostly serious thrash punk from 1982, with the odd spot of reggae thrown in. The lyrics are all but incomprehensible, most of the songs are under two minutes in length, and the experience could be likened to spending a day inside a concrete mixer on high speed. Yet, the experience is actually rather entertaining, if youre in the mood for some serious high-speed noise. Bad Brains hailed from Washington, D.C., and had the interesting background of having been a black jazz-rock band that decided to get into punk and thrash one day. Not exactly the normal route for a group of jazz types to go, but whos going to tell them no? This album was produced for cassette-only label ROIR, combining two of label-owner Neil Coopers areas of interest. The tape, in fact, has become one of ROIRs best sellers, and the CD has followed suit. Basically, its a short course in thrash -- the first five numbers are essentially sequenced back to back with each other, so you get blasted from the opening chord right through to the first reggae number without having a chance to stop. This is actually the recommend way to listen to this album. The muddy mix and odd bit of exploding timekeeping from the musicians actually adds to the ambience of the album -- the problem with some thrash bands who ended up on record was they sounded so pure, pristine, and well-mannered that one almost doubted the band could have been thought of as punk in the first place. Not so with Bad Brains -- the only time things clear up enough to hear what anyones singing is on the reggae numbers. And theyre pretty good at those, too. All in all, this is not likely to be everyones cup of tea. It is, however, fun -- if youre in the mood -- as well as being a great document of one of the louder, faster, harder alternative moments in music history. | ||
 | Album: 7 of 20 Title: Quickness Released: 1989-09-14 Tracks: 12 Duration: 33:51 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Soulcraft (03:07) 2 Voyage Into Infinity (03:14) 3 The Messengers (02:17) 4 With the Quickness (02:45) 5 Gene Machine/Dont Bother Me (02:59) 6 Dont Blow Bubbles (03:03) 7 Sheba (02:51) 8 Yout Juice (03:00) 9 No Conditions (02:22) 10 Silent Tears (02:49) 11 The Prophet’s Eye (04:25) 12 Endtro (00:52) |
| Quickness : Allmusic album Review : This is an interesting, if not entirely successful detour into funk-metal for the band that pioneered Rastafarian hard-core punk. Everything is slowed down here, and the sonic textures have thickened considerably. Drummer Earl Hudson delivers both ponderous, stomping metal rhythms and funked-up grooves, while Dr. Know gets to show off his chops a bit more than he has in the past. The religious messages have, if anything, gotten more mystical and less coherent -- song titles like "Soul Craft," "Voyage into Infinity," and "Messengers" give you an idea of what to expect. "Dont Blow Bubbles" may or may not be a slightly homophobic cautionary tale for the age of AIDS, and "Sheba" appears to be a paean to King Solomons wife (a perennial favorite subject for reggae musicians). As on I Against I, reggae is given short shrift on this album. In fact, the only reggae rhythm to be found at all is on "The Prophets Eye," an awkward tune that feels tacked onto the albums end. Fans will defend it, and Quickness is by no means a failure, but its also far from being Bad Brains best work. | ||
 | Album: 8 of 20 Title: The Youth Are Getting Restless Released: 1990-05-10 Tracks: 17 Duration: 47:21 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 I (02:32) 2 Rock for Light (01:40) 3 Right Brigade (02:30) 4 House of Suffering (02:04) 5 Day Tripper / Shes a Rainbow (04:52) 6 Coptic Times (02:10) 7 Sacred Love (03:27) 8 Re-Ignition (04:29) 9 Let Me Help (01:54) 10 The Youth Are Getting Restless (03:58) 11 Banned in D.C. (02:14) 12 Sailin On (01:52) 13 Fearless Vampire Killer (01:12) 14 At the Movies (02:50) 15 Revolution (dub) (04:26) 16 Pay to Cum (01:41) 17 Big Takeover (03:26) |
| The Youth Are Getting Restless : Allmusic album Review : Youth Are Getting Restless repeats some of the same material from Live, albeit in different versions. The album was culled from the same tour as Live, but it captures a blistering concert from Amsterdam instead of compiling various performances. Consequently, its a tighter and more exciting album, their best live record. | ||
 | Album: 9 of 20 Title: Spirit Electricity Released: 1991-12-17 Tracks: 6 Duration: 21:31 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Return to Heaven (03:09) 2 Let Me Help (02:07) 3 Day Tripper / Shes a Rainbow (04:36) 4 Banned in D.C. (02:19) 5 Attitude (01:20) 6 Youth Are Getting Restless (07:58) |
| Spirit Electricity : Allmusic album Review : Similar in sound and performance to 1988s LIVE, SPIRIT ELECTRICITY was recorded on the same tour (summer of 87), in support of the Bad Brains classic I AGAINST I. Although SPIRIT ELECTRICITY is only six tracks long, its still guaranteed to give your speakers a good rattling. Featured are such Bad Brains standards as "Banned in D.C.," "Attitude," "Youth are Getting Restless," and the Beatles/Stones medley "Day Tripper/Shes a Rainbow." ELECTRICITY also features "Return to Heaven" and "Let Me Help," I AGAINST compositions that rarely get in-concert workouts. | ||
 | Album: 10 of 20 Title: Rise Released: 1993-08-17 Tracks: 12 Duration: 41:20 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Rise (03:38) 2 Miss Freedom (02:50) 3 Unidentified (02:39) 4 Love Is the Answer (03:13) 5 Free (03:13) 6 Hair (04:04) 7 Coming in Numbers (02:22) 8 Yes Jah (04:52) 9 Take Your Time (04:13) 10 Peace of Mind (04:35) 11 Without You (05:04) 12 Outro (00:32) |
| Rise : Allmusic album Review : Bad Brains took longer than most bands do to reach the majors (that is, among those that ever do), and by now they are very different from the group that made its debut with a self-titled cassette on ROIR in 1982. As heard on Rise, they are basically a thrash metal band with elements of rap and reggae. In other words, theyre fairly trendy. Meanwhile, of course, theyre now playing in a bigger league, and their competition includes everyone from Metallica to Public Enemy, against whom they come off as reasonable competition, but no more. Hope they got a big advance and didnt spend it all in one place. | ||
 | Album: 11 of 20 Title: God of Love Released: 1995-05-09 Tracks: 12 Duration: 48:06 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Cool Mountaineer (03:24) 2 Justice Keepers (03:16) 3 Long Time (04:47) 4 Rights of a Child (04:27) 5 God of Love (02:43) 6 Overs the Water (04:25) 7 Tongue Tee Tie (02:52) 8 Darling I Need You (02:36) 9 To the Heavens (04:25) 10 Thank Jah (03:36) 11 Big Fun (05:10) 12 How I Love Thee (06:22) |
| God of Love : Allmusic album Review : For God of Love, Bad Brains first album for Madonnas label Maverick, the original lineup of the group reunited. Presumably, this was for the reported multi-million dollar record contracted -- which was offered after the success of Green Day and the Beastie Boys -- and not because the band had any great love for each other; during the supporting tour, HR slugged their manager and left the group, only to return within a week. Ric Ocasek, the producer of their breakthrough Rock for Light, also returned to produce the record. However, just because all the original participants returned, it didnt mean the sound or the inspiration returned. God of Love was flat and unenergetic. It failed to have an impact and faded from view soon after its release. | ||
 | Album: 12 of 20 Title: Black Dots Released: 1996-10-01 Tracks: 16 Duration: 34:17 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Dont Need It (01:58) 2 At the Atlantis (01:58) 3 Pay to Cum (02:02) 4 Supertouch / Shitfit (03:02) 5 Regulator (01:18) 6 Youre a Migraine (01:41) 7 Don’t Bother Me (02:31) 8 Banned in D.C. (02:47) 9 Whyd You Have to Go? (02:55) 10 The Man Wont Annoy Ya (02:42) 11 Redbone in the City (02:06) 12 Black Dots (01:12) 13 How Low Can a Punk Get (02:31) 14 Just Another Damn Song (01:57) 15 Attitude (01:39) 16 Send You No Flowers (01:52) |
| Black Dots : Allmusic album Review : Surfacing out of nowhere in 1996, Black Dots turned out to be an archival release of the best kind, something truly rare and unheard that also captured a band at its best. The liner notes explain the origins of the release: In 1979, fellow DC locals the Slickee Boys heard an even earlier rehearsal tape from the Brains and suggested hooking up with now-legendary DC producer Don Zientara, who had recently opened his Inner Ear Studios in his house. The group duly booked time, set up in the fledging venue and put on a commanding performance. Nearly all the legendary early hits are here, including "Pay to Cum," "Dont Need It," "Regulator," "Banned in D.C.," "How Low Can a Punk Get?" and "Attitude," while a number of otherwise unheard or never-recorded elsewhere numbers make Black Dots easily the equal of the ROIR cassette. Some of the changes and quirks are really fun -- H.R.s mock-cockney sneer throughout a number of songs is one of the last things probably anybody expected to hear. Aside from "new" oldie "The Man Wont Annoy Ya," the reggae side of the band went largely by the boards this time around, aside from the reedy inflections HR throws in from time to time. Instead its all monster-rock power -- Dr. Know plays like a man possessed, Darryl Aaron Jenifer does it low and loud, while Earl Hudson overcomes for the slightly hollow drum sound with sheer manic smashes and just enough control. Absolutely necessary for Brains fans or anyone who appreciates the power of live, loud electric music. | ||
 | Album: 13 of 20 Title: Omega Sessions Released: 1997-11-11 Tracks: 5 Duration: 15:46 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 I Against I (02:50) 2 Stay Close to Me (02:24) 3 I Luv I Jah (06:34) 4 At the Movies (02:28) 5 Attitude (01:29) |
 | Album: 14 of 20 Title: I & I Survived (dub) Released: 2002-11-26 Tracks: 12 Duration: 56:09 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Jah Love (04:49) 2 Overdub (04:23) 3 How Low Can a Punk Get (03:24) 4 i & i Survive (05:51) 5 Cowboy (04:37) 6 Gene Machine (03:32) 7 Ghetto (04:11) 8 Rally (04:42) 9 September (03:52) 10 Ragga Dub (04:19) 11 Gene Machine (remix) (03:48) 12 i & i Survive (Shiner Massive mix) (08:34) |
| I & I Survived (dub) : Allmusic album Review : It probably wont come as a huge surprise to fans of this hardcore band that theyve released their first full-length dub recording. After all, Bad Brains have proven in the past to be adept at reggae as well as punk. Their relatively straightforward approach to dub isnt particularly otherworldly or eccentric, but this album is a solid effort even if it doesnt break a lot of new ground. The band sounds quite comfortable with this format (including Darryl Jenifers melodica playing). Altoist Peter Pittner, tenor saxophonist David CasT, and trumpeter Greg Glassman effectively enhance the sound on tracks such as "Jah Love" and "Ghetto"; Ray Chinna lends some flavor to the mix with his vox guitar on "Ghetto" and "September"; and the other guest musicians are also in good form. You can entertain yourself by picking out traces of "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" in "Cowboys," the Indian influences on "Ragga Dub," the traces of hard guitar rock on the groups dub version of their punk classic "How Low Can a Punk Get," and the vocal samples on various tracks. Or you can just mellow out and enjoy the mostly relaxing groove. The enhanced CD includes a small amount of footage of the band and some brief comments of praise from musicians such as Perry Farrell (who describes his music as a cross between Duke Ellington and Bad Brains), Billy Corgan, Billie Joe Armstrong, and Flea. | ||
 | Album: 15 of 20 Title: Banned in D.C.: Bad Brains Greatest Riffs Released: 2003-07-29 Tracks: 22 Duration: 1:03:27 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Pay to Cum (01:31) 2 I Against I (02:50) 3 Don’t Bother Me (02:31) 4 I (02:05) 5 Regulator (01:18) 6 Fearless Vampire Killers (01:07) 7 Re-Ignition (04:16) 8 Sailin’ On (01:50) 9 How Low Can a Punk Get (02:31) 10 At the Movies (02:16) 11 With the Quickness (02:45) 12 Sacred Love (03:40) 13 Soulcraft (03:07) 14 Voyage Into Infinity (03:14) 15 Banned in D.C. (02:02) 16 Big Takeover (03:26) 17 Joshua’s Song (00:32) 18 I and I Survive (05:16) 19 The Meek (03:37) 20 I Luv I Jah (06:34) 21 The Prophet’s Eye (04:25) 22 Riot Squad (02:27) |
| Banned in D.C.: Bad Brains Greatest Riffs : Allmusic album Review : Culled from Bad Brains late-70s and 80s albums, the superb 2003 anthology, Banned in DC: Bad Brains Greatest Riffs, offers a detailed sketch of the Washington groups early influential punk sound. Bridging the gap between rambunctious, lo-fi 70s hardcore, 80s metal, and even prefiguring 90s grunge, Bad Brains fluid combination of punk and reggae, played from the hip with a loose, jazz-infused adroitness, remains as staggeringly mind-blowing today as it was on 1982s eponymous Bad Brains. For most casual listeners, starting, and perhaps even ending, with that 1982 eponymous album, will be the most logical and satisfying primer to the groups sound. However, the band kept raging throughout the 80s, reaching another apex with the equally as inspired, and more mature 1986 album I Against I. Although there have been several Bad Brains collections, Banned in DC works the best at fully encompassing the groups transformation over the years. Thoughtfully compiled by the groups longtime manager Anthony Countey, Banned in DC starts with Bad Brains 1978 demo, Black Dots, and runs through their classic 1982 eponymous full-length debut, with stop-offs at 1983s Rock for Light, 1986s I Against I, and 1989s Quickness. Pretty much all of the major Bad Brains touchstones are here including, "Pay to Cum," "Regulator," "F.V.K. (Fearless Vampire Killers)," "Sail On," "With the Quickness," "I Luv I Jah," "Riot Squad," and others. Ultimately, no album can fully replace 1982s Bad Brains as the definitive entryway for neophyte punks on a pilgrimage to Bad Brains mecca, but Banned in DC goes the furthest toward laying out the complete picture of the groups own journey toward D.I.Y. enlightenment. | ||
 | Album: 16 of 20 Title: Live at CBGB OMFUG 1982: The Audio Recordings Released: 2006-10-31 Tracks: 19 Duration: 55:15 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Big Takeover (02:57) 2 I (01:57) 3 Jah the Conqueror (04:37) 4 Supertouch/Shitfit (02:30) 5 Rally Round Jah Throne (03:53) 6 Right Brigade (02:24) 7 FVK (01:07) 8 I and I Survive (05:43) 9 Destroy Babylon (01:25) 10 Joshuas Song (00:36) 11 Unity Dub (05:13) 12 The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth (03:58) 13 Banned in DC (02:10) 14 How Low Can a Punk Get? (02:08) 15 Riot Squad (02:17) 16 I and I Rasta (03:25) 17 We Will Not (01:43) 18 The Regulator (01:09) 19 All Rise to Meet Jah (05:56) |
 | Album: 17 of 20 Title: Build a Nation Released: 2007-06-20 Tracks: 14 Duration: 38:07 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Wikipedia Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Give Thanks and Praises (02:27) 2 Jah People Make the World Go Round (02:11) 3 Pure Love (00:58) 4 Natty Dreadlocks ’Pon the Mountain Top (03:34) 5 Build a Nation (01:46) 6 Expand Your Soul (02:51) 7 Jah Love (03:09) 8 Let There Be Angels (Just Like You) (02:29) 9 Universal Peace (03:06) 10 Roll On (04:06) 11 Until Kingdom Comes (03:22) 12 In the Beginning (01:34) 13 Send You No More Flowers (02:34) 14 Peace Be Unto Thee (03:54) |
| Build a Nation : Allmusic album Review : Considering that the Beastie Boys were a fledgling punk group before they were rappers and MCA (Adam Yauch) was often seen slam-dancing front and center at Bad Brains legendary early performances, he would seem the perfect candidate to produce and resurrect the newly reunited group. In truth, he does a fantastic job capturing Bad Brains on Build a Nation, and they rock nearly as hard as they did in their glory days before they switched to funk metal -- Yauch explained that his goal was to replicate the raw sound that he remembers from their live shows and the first self-titled Reach Out International Records tape. Although the group recalls some of its best hardcore roots with an added concrete-shattering low end not found in a lot of its early recordings, the problem is that frontman H.R. simply doesnt have the energy or larynx that he once did, and has to resort to a lower octave and sing in an Anthony Kiedis "Give It Away" vocal style. But who can blame him? It was over 25 years ago when he unleashed his furious shriek and wide array of spastic crooning voices, and it takes a young mans fire to spew microphone venom with that ferocity. Often, he moans his vocal lines in an imitation Lee Perry reggae voice (even on the punkier songs) and has to resort to a lot more studio trickery and delays to make up for his lack of dynamics. This washy style of singing doesnt always feel completely appropriate, but it fits perfectly when the Brains flip the switch to their reggae grooves, which now sound more authentic than ever. This should be no surprise since their last album consisted of only dub music, and their yellow, red, and green album art looks remarkably like a Marley bootleg with a track listing that includes "Natty Dreadlocks Pon the Mountaintop" and "Jah People Make the World Go Round." Since the album was recorded at the B-Boys Oscilloscope Laboratories, many of the reggae numbers have elements of the Beasties instrumentals on The Mix Up; it sounds like keyboardist-for-hire Jamie Saft may have borrowed Money Marks organ while Yauch added some of the percussive instruments laying around the room for a few numbers. Even when the washed-out dubby vocals coincide with thrashing guitars, the heavy songs work remarkably well, too. The combination of the two styles makes for an interesting result, especially in "Let There Be Angels (Just Like You)" and "Universal Peace." While Bad Brains never quite match the intensity of their early days, this is easily the best record theyve released since Quickness, and maybe even since I Against I. Fans of H.R., Gary, Darryl, and Earl should be happy to hear that theyre finally back on track and sounding relevant again. | ||
 | Album: 18 of 20 Title: Live at the Fillmore 1982 Released: 2010-11-01 Tracks: 14 Duration: 35:52 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Spotify AlbumCover | 1 Attitude (instrumental) (03:29) 2 [band intros] (00:29) 3 Attitude (01:19) 4 Banned in D.C. (02:15) 5 The Regulator (01:02) 6 Rally Round Jah Throne (04:56) 7 Big Takeover (03:12) 8 Riot Squad (02:15) 9 F.V.K. (01:18) 10 I and I Survive (06:06) 11 Right Brigade (02:17) 12 Destroy Babylon (01:08) 13 Joshuas Song (00:36) 14 We Come to Unite (05:30) |
 | Album: 19 of 20 Title: Into the Future Released: 2012-11-20 Tracks: 13 Duration: 37:31 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% Allmusic AlbumCover | 1 Into the Future (02:43) 2 Popcorn (03:12) 3 We Belong Together (01:39) 4 Youth of Today (03:25) 5 Rub a Dub Love (02:35) 6 Yes I (01:28) 7 Suck Sess (01:53) 8 Jah Love (03:35) 9 Earnest Love (03:14) 10 Come Down (01:25) 11 Fun (03:47) 12 Maybe a Joyful Noise (04:43) 13 MCA Dub (03:46) |
| Into the Future : Allmusic album Review : D.C. punkers Bad Brains have achieved a well-deserved legendary status, built not just on their essential albums like Rock for Light and I Against I paving the way for years of hardcore to come, but also for being one of the first all-black groups in the predominantly white early punk scene. In the 30 years passing between Bad Brains 1982 debut cassette and this album, multiple breakups, solo excursions, and reunions have ensued, and the 2000s and 2010s have been spotty times for this always tumultuous unit. Into the Future follows 2002s I & I Survived, an album based primarily on dub instrumentals and absent original Bad Brains screamer H.R., as well as the raw bombast of 2007s Adam Yauch-produced Build a Nation. That album attempted a return to the ragged glory of the bands early speed-demon hardcore days, and probably came as close as possible given the years and weather theyd seen since. Into the Future takes a similar path, turning out 13 new jams that volley between dub-styled reggae and the kind of loud-and-fast hardcore with funk and metal undertones that theyve been perfecting for ages. Like Build a Nation, however, its not quite as loud and just a little bit less fast than before. Songs like "Youth of Today," "Come Down," and the title track all throw back to early punk roots, with abrupt breakdowns, dissonant chord changes, and rapidly shifting time signatures. "Popcorn" is somewhere between hardcore and a metalized hip-hop beat, with some shades of danger and grit transmitting through the songs brutally crunchy guitars and H.R.s bellowing. While the album includes a fair amount of reggae tracks (which is typical of most Bad Brains releases), most of the lyrics are steeped in Rastafarian imagery and references to Rasta culture. The soupy digital dub of "Jah Love" is peppered with audio snippets from an early interview and the guitar-heavy rocksteady number "Make a Joyful Noise" floats by on a cloud of ganja smoke. The album closes with "MCA Dub," a tribute to the passed Beastie Boy and close friend of the band. Like on the last album, H.R.s vocals are considerably huskier and lower than the demonic growl of his youth. Unlike that album, though, the vocals come off as cool, distant, and wizened instead of overly stoned and lethargic. Its amazing enough that the energy of early-80s Bad Brains recordings was even able to be captured on audio tape to begin with. Bands full of kids born years into the reign of the Brains still cant come close to the lightning storm in a bottle that was Rock for Light, so its foolish to hold the bandmembers themselves up to their previous work from decades past. Into the Future fares better than the stale output of most reunited punk acts and also rises above a weak rehash for the sake of nostalgia. Always true to their original vision, Bad Brains continue sailing on. | ||
 | Album: 20 of 20 Title: In Dub Released: 2014 Tracks: 13 Duration: 59:03 Scroll: Up Down Top Bottom 25% 50% 75% AlbumCover | 1 I and I Survive (Ich bin nicht allein) (A-Bot dub) (05:45) 2 I and I Survive (Ich bin nicht allein) (Umberto Echo dub) (04:17) 3 The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth (Wie Regen im Meer) (Trance Hill remix) (04:54) 4 The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth (Wie Regen im Meer) (Dub Spencer remix) (03:36) 5 The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth (Wie Regen im Meer) (Dubvisionist dub) (03:35) 6 I and I Rasta (Kein Hass da) (Dubvisionist dub) (03:22) 7 I and I Survive (Ich bin nicht allein) (Dubmatix remix) (05:57) 8 I and I Rasta (Kein Hass da) (Darryl Jenifer dub) (03:20) 9 I and I Survive (Ich bin nicht allein) (Aldubb remix) (05:47) 10 What Remains (Was bleibt) (Darryl Jenifer dub) (04:22) 11 The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth (Wie Regen im Meer) (Darryl Jenifer dub) (03:41) 12 I and I Survive (Ich bin nicht allein) (Darryl Jenifer dub) (05:42) 13 The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth (Wie Regen im Meer) (Aldubb remix) (04:45) |