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Album Review: Bad Brains, "Build a Nation" (Oscilloscope/ Megaforce)
The reggae-and-punk fusion music of former Washingtonians Bad Brains has been exponentially influential in the punk, alt-rock and metal worlds. No wonder, their '80s albums "Rock for Light" and "I Against I" are hallmarks of homegrown American punk, but boast sophisticated instrumental chops and a mesmerizing vocalist.
Historically, the Rastafarian band has struggled with line-up stability--singer H.R. has a habit of quitting--and Bad Brains have largely been absent from their own heyday. In the early '90s, when they could have been following Green Day up the charts, the members could barely stand to be in a room with each other. "God of Love," the band's last album with the original lineup (H.R., guitarist Dr. Know, drummer Earl Hudson and bassist Daryl Jenifer) was released by Madonna's Maverick label, and was top heavy with sleepy reggae tunes.
Produced by longtime fan and former hardcore kid Adam Yauch of Beastie Boys, the new "Build a Nation" favors essentialist production--a la the band's early ROIR cassette release--with a bit of dub-derived, spacey tape echo the only stylistic indulgence. The ridiculously skillful band has no trouble replicating its definitive sound--even capturing the almost jazz-fusiony power of its incendiary Black Dots recording sessions at times. If there's a weak link in the chain this time, it's H.R., who sometimes sounds a bit reserved or even silly--on "Jah Love," it sounds like he's singing "jello." His nonsensical rant on "Send You No More Flowers" sounds a bit like Dave Chappelle. But the singer hangs in there on the cosmic thrash of "Let There Be Angels (Just Like You)" and "Universal Peace," probably the album's best track. And his trad-style Rasta patois on "Natty Dreadlocks 'pon the Mountaintop" and "Roll On" is convincing.
Altogether, it's a heartening return to form for a band that's been missed more than most. With a few more trademark squeals from a more unhinged H.R., it might have been another classic.
