Into The Future
The last Bad Brains LP, 2007's Build A Nation, was produced by superfan Adam Yauch. So while the band's founders are remarkably all present, mortality shadows this set, which summons the raging schizophrenia of their Eighties glory days. HR’s vocals remain piercingly weird – Gregory Isaac smooth one minute, the next like Geddy Lee in a centrifuge. Dr. Know still shreds with fusion-honed chops, and the band can still nail shotgun punk fury (see the 1:28 "Yes I"). But the midtempo grunge-metal and reggae jams, more sustainable channels for grown-ass anger, feel most like home. "Peace be unto thee," goes the chant on “MCA Dub,” a tribute to the late Beastie Boy. Back atcha, dudes.