BAD BRAINS - Bad Brains

Hardcore punk + reggae or Sex Pistols + Bob Marley? Could this be good? Yes! The answer comes from Bad Brains, one of the most exotic and important names of the US hardcore punk scene of the 80s. While Black Flag are the Sex Pistols of hardcore punk, Bad Brains are something like The Stooges for this genre if we consider their influence on music.

The debut album of the Rastafarians in Bad Brains has proven to be a seminal record for the hardcore punk scene and not only.  Influencing, with its mad mix of hardcore punk/thrash metal and reggae bands that would in turn write history, such as Beastie Boys, Minor Threat, The Smashing Pumpkins, Living Colour but also musicians that would take the rock scene by storm with their influence, such as Kurt Cobain (Nirvana), Adam Jones (Tool), Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters, ex-Nirvana) or Henry Rollins (Black Flag) who was personally encouraged by H.R. to become a musician, Bad Brains are one of the most important bands for music in general, not only hardcore punk.

What I enjoyed most about Bad Brains (the album) is that it does not bog down in just one musical direction. Starting with the super Sailin' On, which could be described as the essence of Bad Brains, continuing with angry and energetic but positive titles of hardcore punk such as Attitude, The Regulator, Fearless Vampire Killers, Big Take Over or Right Brigade, briefly passing through a few reggae rhythms with Jah Calling, Leaving Babylon and I Luv I Jah that show what makes Bad Brains so special for the hardcore punk scene. Another aspect worth considering is the direction of the lyrics. While others would prefer political or social issues, Bad Brains tried to go a different way.

In other words, the record speaks for itself and belongs in any top 10 of the best hardcore punk records of the 80s.

H. Nota: 9