Build A Nation - Bad Brains
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Metascore
73 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critics What's this?

User Score
8.9 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 12 Ratings

Your Score
0 out of 10
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  • Summary: The Beastie Boys' Adam Yauch produced this first release in a dozen years for the original lineup of the lengendary hardcore punk outfit.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. Filter
    88
    No, this is the real shit--classic lightning riffage, hearkening dub rhythms, and a perfectly insane H.R. and Co. following the great spirit to hardcore heaven
  2. Boston Globe
    80
    The music? Thrilling as ever.
  3. Observer Music Monthly
    80
    It doesn't stray too far from their original template but it is focused and involving.
  4. Rolling Stone
    60
    It lacks the messiness that made them so beautiful in the first place, but be glad they're still punching.

See all 12 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. HermannW.
    10
    the best record since 5 years and the best Bad Brains record since i against i. I hope they will tour Europe . i will always love the Brains for their PMA.… Expand
  2. EricP
    10
    Strong album from begining to end. Reaggae tracks stand strong. I don't want to comment more. It's Bad Brains, powerfull hardcore pionners, no match. You know em ?!… Collapse
  3. AndrewJ
    8
    Very good. I particularly like the low-fi production quality. It's a really nice contrast to today's millisecond-timed, glossy, overproduced digital products.… Expand
  4. RobertR.
    6
    The 9s and 10s are too high. The reggae tracks are the best parts of the album and the punk parts are lacking. No one likes to blame age for a classic bands latest shortcomings but on tracks such as Universal Peace and Let there be angels, HR's vocals are in another octave from what wants from the songs. In regards to one wants from those songs, I reference some of their biggest hits, such as Banned in DC and Sailin' On where he explodes fast and furiously. For me, it was the balance of mellow reggae and fast visceral punk experience that made Bad Brains great. With the somewhat lacking latter, this album is just good, not great and certainly not worth a 10. … Expand

See all 6 User Reviews

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