Also known as the yellow tape, this album was nominated by Beastie Boy Adam Yauch as being the greatest hardcore/punk album of all time. This is most likely because of the influence the Brains had on the Beasties and their own signature squeeze of genre bending punk rock (some punk scholars should really get together and push to just have the Beasties called a punk group; I mean, some would say punk is just like a form of musical extremism and do what ever you wantism).
But closer lock at rock since Bad Brains shows a severe cascading of influence. Rock meets reggae was only more popular with The Clash and The Police (maybe The Specials). And neo-ska acts and people like Rancid, Sublime, and 311 are more Bad Brains than they are The Police (especially The Police). For one they are more high energy and closer to metal; much in the way Bad Brains were. Dr. Know super fast solos erupt like the volcano that spawned Kerry King and H.R. shrieks, wails, and barks out promises to maintain PMA (positive mental attitude) and to live life free from the excesses and degradation of the bourgeoisie.
On the speed scale, the whole album is often the fastest punk album of all time. Each song is built like a normal song, but the performance is so quick that songs barely pass the one minute mark. This doesn't take away from the material itself, it enhances by making it sound more ferocious and furious as well as serving as a clever juxtaposition to the slower reggae tracks that are largely about the same spiritual message. Sorry of like a theory and praxis thing. The reggae songs are the state of bliss (or heaven) and the hardcore is the daily fight. The songs are angry, but not Henry Rollins angry and not emo angry. It's more sophisticated and spiritually guided. Less blind hormonal rage.
The cover is also an iconic image. The lightning bolt striking the white house are the radio signals playing the Brains smashing the ideological structures that maintain the status quo that the self-proclaimed F.V.K seek to demolish. And in the distance lady liberty is lit, with a light shining towards the white house suggesting a connection between the two.
Aside from whatever your take on the politics is,
Bad Brains is a good recording. Surprisingly good production given the times and the uhh musical form and a showcase for a great band. Fans of early punk should appreciate the Ramones reference in the name and others will be surprised to know that the Brains were previously a fusion group prior to being hardcore. The hardcore tracks are better than the reggae songs (that's using anyone's standard).
Rating 4.5/5