Bad Brains — Build A Nation

Given the circumstances surrounding the current incarnation of Bad Brains, I don't think anyone was expecting a return to form for the band, regardless of Beastie Boy Adam Yauch coming on board to produce. Singer H.R.'s mental stability was constantly in question, not to mention the group being almost 30 years into the game. Miraculously, however, Build A Nation is a stronger record than anyone had any right to hope for. The legendary quartet sound as fiery as ever, and though it's impossible for them to push boundaries now as they did in the '80s, the LP still manages to sound relevant. Yauch's production preserves their lo-fi roots, and H.R.'s vocals are consistently on point. Build A Nation certainly isn't perfect, but it's a stunning example of a hugely influential band retaining their dignity and successfully extending their legacy. If only The Stooges could have heard this before recording The Weirdness.

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