Near return to form from the last 3 pitiful pathetic loser driven records known as Quickness, Rise, and God of Hate. I wouldn't give you two shits for any of those ones. But on this record they at least made some effort to fucking punk it up again. And while HR's vocals aren't what they once were and tend to be much more restrained the overall performance is done like an aging band returning to something resembling their roots, Nowehere nnear on the level of self titled/Omega Sessions/Rock For Light/Black Dots but still worthy of a spin spin spin....

I don't know why you don't like Give Thanks and Praises... that's one of the best songs on the album! Shit is heavy.

Just because he's the singer of a well-known band doesn't mean that he isn't entitled to his own personal opinions about whatever subject he chooses. Who the fuck cares if he's a homophobe? How does that affect you, and why should it have anything to do with the music he creates?

Head to www.megaforcerecords.com to make a smart purchase, this is a killer album!

how can you disagree with being gay? what's wrong with that? It doesn't matter.

Gay bashing? Perhaps you should learn the definition of that word before you go about making ignorant accusations. I've gay friends, they're aware that I disagree with their lifestyle, just like they disagree with somw of my point of views, but it doesn't get in the way of our friendship. Immature would be ending a friendship just because you've different principles. And why are you quoting Henry?

"Last year, I was accused of being gay.People started calling me: 'Henry, I don't care - I've known you for a long time, and, um, you're not gay, are you?' At first I'd go, 'No. If I was, I'd tell you. I don't give a fuck who puts what where.'

-Henry Rollins

maybe when anonymous reaches age 14, he'll realize that gay bashing is immature and pointless.

The bass sounds awesome in it.

This release is just shitty. Old Bad Brains=good. This=not good. And we don't need anymore comments from "old punkers" who think that this band gets a free pass and anyone else who doesn't like it loves My Chemical Romance and has a swooping haircut. Shut up you wretched, elitist douche bags. This is not RAW production, it's SHITTY RAW production. Welcome to 2007, you can record an album without protooling the hell out of it and making it sound like it wasn't recorded in a bathroom stall. Just ask Paint it Black. Henry Rollins, Ian Mackaye, and others are still around proving you can still make good music and be able to actually sing without sounding like shit 20 years into your career.

I've no problems with gay men, it just leaves more tang for the rest of us. I've no problems with Christian girls either, they like to do it in the butt. huh huh amirite?

This sucks less than God of Love did or that shit they did without HR but not by much.

-skottapplecore

OMG I know both men and women who cannot naturally have children, so I guess they R wrong just liek the gays you guys!!!!

i also know single parents rasing children that iz so dumb bcuz u need a mom and a dad and the gays cant provide that!!!

plus god who sez that gays r wrong and not natural, made these straight people who cant have kids u guys so that just proves the gays r wrong!

plus its just not naturl the butthole isn't for having sex despire it being popular among straight couples!! thats not natural, and neither is a blow job since you cants have a kid through your mouth omg!!!

SEE this just proves that gays R wrong becuz.

Even if it wasn't natural (which it is), so what? I'm pretty sure using a computer to post comments on an internet message board isn't natural. Does that make it morally wrong?

And the record is good. Nowhere near "I Against I," but it's a worthy addition to their legacy. More lyrics would have been nice though.

Umm...it's not natural, you have no argument dumbass, so don't even make an attempt.

My dog humps my leg, is it ok if I do it back to him? Because I'm really attracted to him.

religion lol

whoever used the "argument" (if you could even call it that) that "if everyone was gay, there's be no humans" statement is a fucking moron who should have been choked to death by Chris Benoit himself.

Who the fuck supports gay people has ever said the whole entire population should be gay?? People are different, some are gay some are not. Animals that are monogamous (geese, penguins, etc) have been know to willing choose same-sex partners despite the animals being aware they can't produce. So there goes your "it's not natural" bullshit.

Pull your head out of your ass, seriously. There's nothing wrong with gay people, no one is hurting you, shut up with the God stuff and keep it to yourself.

And I don't know how to spell existence. Whoops.

One of the best records to come out this year.

I like how the reviewer seems to deny the existance and greatness of Quickness.

No worries, I wasn't clear enough about how HR fit into that paragraph. I was talking about the claim someone made that today's christianity didn't harm gays/lesbians. I figured involving Rastafarianism because of what record review we're posting under would be appropriate. Your point's a good one- the only definite connection between HR and those jackasses is a shared religious sect. I don't know if he's super-pro or super-anti those people nowadays.

Thanks for listening to the Batcast!

FACT:

While some of their shit is sweet, Bad Brains were a bunch of homophobic burn outs who fake(d) their accents.

Well, my face is red. For some reason I was thinking that HR was from jamaica even though I knew the Bad Brains were from DC.

On a similar note though, how do we know that HR's sect of Rastafarianism is especially racist? And how closely does he follow the tennents of his religion? For instance, Lee Perry says he is rastafari, but he certainly says alot of things that are very un-rasta.

Also, I know a little about rastafarianism, but not antyhing about the sects. Like, I didn't even know Rastafarianism had specefic sects. Where can I go to read unbiased information about different rasta sects?

And obviously most of the people who are claiming that "God hates fags" are trolling - why else would they be "Anonymous"? I mean, to believe something that HAPPENS IN NATURE, BECAUSE HUMANS ARE A FUCKING PART OF NATURE, isn't natural is just silly.

John Gentile - I think you missed something in Jesse's argument. HR is not from Jamaica, and is, as far as I know, from inner-city DC. What he meant is that HR is a member of the Rastafarian sect of Christianity, which is known for its virulent anti-gay sentiment. Rastafarianism is popular in Jamaica, so it would stand to reason that that country would be more homophobic.

Uh, dude, scroll down. Actually, I'll just post it again.

The tour was well-recieved, the band were making friends across the country, and the future of the Bad Brains and Bad Brains Records looked bright until they hit California. In an interview with Flipside they showed some disturbing sentiment: HR complained that there were "too many faggots" in San Francisco, and said that their behavior, "disturbs me, makes me want to go and shoot one of them."

Hi Jesse,

I'm a big fan of AT and your podcasts so please don't take this personally, but I have to disagree with your line of reasoning there. I don't know if HR himself is or is not homophobic, but arguing that he is homophobic based on the region in which he grew up isn't the best way to stage an argument.

Even though HR might be homophobic, stating that he is homophobic becuase most people that live around him are is unfair.

Real Christains who follow the bible's teachings would never harm or talk down to homosexuals.

Some sects of christianity do harm/talk mad shit about homosexuality, while many others don't. The Episcopal Church is in the midst of an international schism over the issue. US branches of the Church marched in Sunday's SF Gay Pride Parade. Meanwhile, Nigerian Episcopal priests are preaching hatred and exclusion of gays & lesbians.

Gay bashing in Jamaica, home of Rastafarianism, the sect HR is a part of? You bet. Time, 2006 "The Most Homophobic Place on Earth?"
http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1182991,00 .html "Born Mark Myrie, he grew up the youngest of 15 children in Kingston's Salt Lane — the sort of slum dominated by ultraconservative Christian churches and intensely anti-gay Rastafarians."

Can't we all just get along? People are gonna do and believe whatever choose to, it's always gonna be that way. So to spend your days hating on gays or Christians, is really just a waste of life. It's like...come on.

"No way you can say homosexuality is wrong without sounding like a fucking idiot" Umm...A man sticks his penis inside a woman's vagina, she gets pregnant, the cycle of life carries on. It's the way nature, god, or whatever intended it to be.

If there ever was a Christphobe, then his name is BrandonSideleau. You say homosexuality is ok because it harms nobody, yet Christianity doesn't either, at least here in modern times. Sounds like you've some issues of your own.

Of course God doesn't exist you fucking idiot.....and homosexuals do not make up the whole population you fucking idiot. And, given our current global population crisis perhaps homosexuals WILL save our species. Mr. Anonymous- none of your arguments have any sound logic or grounding in reality. There is no possible way you can say that homosexuality is "wrong" without sounding like a fucking idiot. We, as animals and members of the Great Ape family, have all of the same urges and problems as our closer relatives....what makes us different is HOW we use those urges. Homosexuality does not involve hurting anyone or violating anyone's rights.....so how is it "wrong" (assuming morality even exists outside the human mind)?

"Raping someone is forcing them to do something......homosexuality isn't something an individual forces upon you..."

Yes, but your argument was that homosexuality is ok because it occurs in nature.
Well so does rape.
So there goes your argument.

God didnt intend buttholes to be used as a substitute for vaginas. Plain and simple.
And if you dont believe in God, then look at evolution. Would our species have survived if everyone was gay?

best album ever!!! get over it

opps...i meant the guy two below me...sorry Jesse, you posted while i was typing.

wow just.....wow...you fuckheads are proof of the total lack of intellect left in much of humanity. Please, for the good of our species, blow your own brains out now please. Has the idiot below me read anything that we've said? It seems more like he's plugging his ears and yelling out "I'm not listening! I hate fags!". Some people should just be killed.

"Homosexuality is against nature, plain and simple, you can't argue it."

Ha ha, obviously you can.

Homosexuality is against nature, plain and simple, you can't argue it.

Sideleau, you're so fucked in the head, I don't even know where to begin.

this is a website for punk music not a website for arguments about sexuality and rape, everyone who dosent have something to say about the music should just shut the fuck up.

This album dosent have the same fury and thunder as old bad brains exhibited, but it is still a good album. If your looking for some good punk this album is for you. If your looking for Bad Brains or I Against I all over again then this album might not be for you.

"so should we legalize rape too, since animals do it and its "natural"?"
Horrible argument
People have the mental capability to realize that rape is wrong.
If two people consent to having sex I don't understand how that is wrong (With the exception of a 13 year old and a 20 year old, that is wrong).

Is the guy two below for real???? Raping someone is forcing them to do something......homosexuality isn't something an individual forces upon you....fucking idiots, I swear.

Wow, this record is really not good. I guess if I was able to find at least 2 good songs on EVERY Bad Brains record including "Rise" and other 90s atrocities, I'd probably like this one too. As it is, I'll stop at "I Against I" thanks!

so should we legalize rape too, since animals do it and its "natural"?

another example of some animals engaging in homsexual activity is male dolphins will sometimes rape each other. plus who hasn't seen a male dog trying to fuck another?

homosexuality is a fact of life, some people are born that way, get over it. if it helps you to think of it this way, it takes the good looking guys out of the race giving an ugly fuck like you a shot at the pretty girls.

Mr. Anonymous homophobe doesn't seem to know how to read....animals have sex with others of the same sex all the time....is that clear enough for you? Or do you want me to dumb it down a bit more?

man fuck this album

i have no idea whether some species are homosexual or not but i do know that Bonobos have sex sometimes as a greeting the randy buggers
however pretty much everything is controlled by your genetic makeup. this idea is explored in great depths in richard dawkin's fantastic book the selfish gene. also before considering pretty much any religion also read the blind watchmaker

didn't the band apologize for those comments years ago? get over it.

It seems like most people who are defending this band are idiots. I guess that really shouldn't come as a surprise...
And the closeminded fuck who keeps saying homosexuality is wrong is an idiot. Go outside and talk to some people.

"wow...this place is just full of idiots.....I don't know where to begin."

Quoted for Motherfucking Truth
Score is for the comment

Anybody see bad brains on a boat the other night? Must have been one hell of a good time.

Feeding, as someone else explained, it is an Afrocentric offshoot of Christianity. and Jah means God.. you should know that

I'm not ranting because I'm lazy, and
1) No one's opinion is going to be changed by my socio 101 bullshit.
2)I haven't heard this new album, other than the first track, which is meh.
3)I have my "I support any band from DC" position to consider
4)I can't understand enough Rasta-speak to criticize it. Jah? I and I? What the fuck does that mean?

They have been given a sex drive so they will have the desire to procreate. Humans are the only species that has sex for both pleasure and procreation.

"Even animals know better, seeing as how the only have sex to produce offspring, they don't make love, or do it for fun."

thats an idiotic statement... of course animals have sex for reasons other than procreating; they are fulfilling that sex drive that is universal to all animals - both human and non-human

Not against nature? LOL! Even animals know better, seeing as how the only have sex to produce offspring, they don't make love, or do it for fun. And where did I say anything about me being Christian? Seems to me your main problem is with Christianity,...you can't stand it right?

um, yeah, back to the cd. Its good stuff, good mix of old school hc with their love of reggae mixed in, well done-oldpunker-

"John Daley you ignorant douche, my point is that people use that term way too loosely, if someone doesn't agree with the lifestyle, they automatically become labled as a homophobe. Perhaps you should learn that not everyone agrees with your beliefs, and just because they don't, it doesn't mean that they hate you."

I was mostly refering to your statement that accepting sexual difference is only something that punks who want to cool do, which is a load of shit.

Second of all if you think homosexuality is wrong you are misguided and close minded even if you don't believe you hate homosexuals what exactly is fueling your distaste for non-hetero lifestyle?

Thirdly for all those talikng about rastas and christians, rastafarianism is a bizarre afrocentric offshoot sect of christianity so if you hate one you should hate the other. There are two types of music: good and bad.

- JD

Even though this album is really good, I still don't know if I'd pay to see them live. They have been playing a lot lately and I haven't heard anything yet. Judging from HR's dead performance at CBGBs last year, I'm not too enticed about seeing them live. I mean, if you watch old videos of the Brains the best part of the show was HR's uncontained ferocity. And don't tell me he's too old, that means shit.....he's not ill (physically at least) and he's not over-weight....he should be fine for running around and getting crazy a bit. Look at Iggy, he's gotta be at least ten years older than HR and he can still go nuts. Look at Henry and Jello, they can both still put on a great stage presence....why can't HR?

Awesome album! I enjoy every song. I think the first four tracks are the strongest with Jah People and Natty Dreadlocks being the gems of the album. THis is exactly the kind of album i wanted to hear from these guys-- combining their I against I stuff with more raggae.

I just wish the packaging was a little better -- no booklet and no lyrics sheet. Well, at least I know the lyrics to the "Build a Nation" track.

I also hope that they start playing some headlining shows (where HR keeps the mic stand away from heads) instead of all of these festivals where I don't want to see all the other bands.

wow...this place is just full of idiots.....I don't know where to begin.

did you know rollins is a homo. guess what, he is friends w/ hr and still listens to the bad brains.

did you know bob marley hated faggots. fact bros.

mike bullshit from go!, kids dont know, is gay and guess what......hes friends with hr and listens to them still today. you kids just wish you were gay.

ian from fugazi and hr are very close friends. they even played in a band together. they keep in touch. you stupid fucking little kid homos. dont eat no fudge bum. hahaha

If you can't get past the fact that:

- HR is a religious nut and rambles endlessly about I an I
- HR doesn't like gay people
- HR will always be nuts

Then you shouldn't listen to Bad Brains. HR is always going to say something stupid. Think of him as the Isaih Washington of Hardcore.

That said this album is amazing and more than makes up for the crap known as God of Love. Also, is this as Sociology forum on nature vs. nurture or a forum on Punk Rock?

It's not against nature......homosexuality has been documented in almost every species on the planet. Sex is not purely a means of procreation...it is also a form of stress relief (just look at the Bonobos of central Africa). It has no genetically detrimental effects nor does it have any psychologically damaging effects. You pathetic Christians (and others of your kind) have simply run out of excuses......you just need to admit that your beliefs have no basis in reality and should have no power in the public arena under any condition. Not to mention the fact that, if anything, homosexuality is natures way of saying there are too many of your species.....perhaps (and this is purely theory) the level of homosexuality in a populous increases as it's population balloons beyond its means of existence. More importantly, in this day and age of over population, homosexuality may very well save humanity from extinction through over population! haha

5 to 10 percent of all animals of all classes are gay. Even straight animals have homosexual sex in certain situations. It's a recessive trait that serves to ease population pressures.

Species survival isn't all about passing genes along, genius. Nature built homosexuality into the system for a reason; compare with drones and such in Hymenoptera. Read a book. And don't reproduce--not like those of your ilk tend to get laid often.

A man and a man can't have children together, nor can two women, it simply is against nature. I realize that people choose their own lifestyles, I can respect and tolerate that, but it still doesn't change the fact that they are wrong.

Bad Brains? More like Bad Music, amirite?

do you even know what punk is?!?!!??!!? holy shit what the fuck is the matter with you fucks go listen to your fall out boy and paramore you bunch of fuckin fairies this album rocks hard and HR and the bad brains are the shit! aned to the one fuck that said henry rollins singing for someone is a bad thing....
do you know what website your on?!?!?!?!?!??!!? ROLLINS IS PUNK.

Shit!

Homosexuality is not wrong......it exists among all creatures and it hurts no one....how is it wrong? It does not result in any mutations and it is two people of no-relation expressing their love...what is possibly "wrong" with that? There is no rational reason to say homosexuality is "wrong". And don't give me any Biblical non-sense as the Bible is about as factually relevant as the weekly tabloids.

"so why isnt feeding5000 ranting and raving about how religion and punk/hardcore dont mix?
every time another Christian band is reviewed, he preaches to us about how the two dont mix, yet he's silent on Bad Brains?
double standard?"

Christians are just so goddamned annoying. We'll just leave it at that.

John Daley you ignorant douche, my point is that people use that term way too loosely, if someone doesn't agree with the lifestyle, they automatically become labled as a homophobe. Perhaps you should learn that not everyone agrees with your beliefs, and just because they don't, it doesn't mean that they hate you.

Hey, to each his own. It's just that homosexuality is wrong, there's no way you justify it other than it's just someone's personal choice. I do in fact have friends who are gay, they never label as homophobic, or a gay basher. I respect their beiliefs as they accept my own.

so why isnt feeding5000 ranting and raving about how religion and punk/hardcore dont mix?
every time another Christian band is reviewed, he preaches to us about how the two dont mix, yet he's silent on Bad Brains?
double standard?

As a long, long time fan I must say...solid record! It's Bad Brains, it can't be bad and this is far from bad. The hardcore tunes rip and the ragga is bouncy and tight.

yes of course thats it. only people that want to be "cool" accept people of non-heteronormative sexualities as grown individuals with their own wants and desires that have zero effect on their own and think that people that don't are morons. You obviously have never been outside your front yard. Do everyone a favour and read a book or something before you decide to enlighten world again with your highly clever and apt philosophies on human nature and desire oh grand puba.

right, because the whole idea that homophobia is idiotic is new to punk rock....

"GET THE FUCK OUT OF PUNK PLEASE". I will, but only until labeling people homophobes isn't cool anymore.

religious hardcore? this band is no better than underoath, with the exception that once upon a time they made better music.

everything about this album reeks 80s, and not in a good way. You can have raw production without it sounding like total shit. the vocals and all the effects on them make strung out's vocalist sound amazing. this is not good.

I bet the only positive thing about this record is the packaging. Rasta vinyl.

Wait...Henry Rollins singing for the Ruts? That sounds...bad. Like, really terrible. I mean, just thinking of him barking out "Babylon's Burning" sorta turns my stomach a little. Ugh.

"Rather a homophobe than a homosexual. That being said, the album is decent."

GET THE FUCK OUT OF PUNK PLEASE

The tour was well-recieved, the band were making friends across the country, and the future of the Bad Brains and Bad Brains Records looked bright until they hit California. In an interview with Flipside they showed some disturbing sentiment: HR complained that there were "too many faggots" in San Francisco, and said that their behavior, "disturbs me, makes me want to go and shoot one of them."

ive never liked this band, but for some reason, i really dig this record, especially the first four tracks. some of its a little too quirky for me though.

not to be overly picky, but the reviewer made a minor mistake -
theres actually only 5 reggae songs and 9 hardcore tracks, not 6 and 8

Rather a homophobe than a homosexual. That being said, the album is decent.

Is anyone here sick of the four star review? I feel like four stars is way over used.

Sounds a lot like I Against I.

OT- Henry Rollins will be singing with the Ruts for their reunion in support of one of the member's health problems (forgive me, I forgot who and what it was off hand). I sent the news in and it should be up on this site soon. Very surprising if you ask me....I know Hank is a Ruts fanatic but I never thought I'd see this. Wish I lived in London to see it live.

Not a bad effort. It doesn't come close to Bad Brains, but then again, thats one of the best hardcore albums ever in my opinion, so it's a bit much to ask for something of that quality again.

hey how come nobody takes issue with the fact that these guys are rastifarians?!!1 C'mon!!11!!11 Seriously guys LOL these guys are religious fuck religion!!11 lol

"the "homophobe" comment in this review was completely unnecessary and will only add fuel to the fire"

like all the homosexuals roasting in the pyres of hell? offending homophobes is a big concern.

you have to be fucking kidding. this sounds like trey parker and matt stone making fun of bad brains. sometimes bands should just leave their legacy.

i was kind of undecided about this on first listen but it's grown on me a lot. there's some songs i could do without (build a nation) but overall, it's a nice return to form. the hardcore tracks just rage and thank god they didn't go metal. hr isn't all there but whatever, this is the dr know/darryl jenifer/earl hudson show as far as i'm concerned.

i was not super stoked upon listening to the stream posted, but i will give it a few more listens and hopefully it will grow.

i must admit that i am generally against reunion-type albums, particularly ones of aging bands attempting to reclaim the fire of the long-gone early days. but we shall see. this band did make one of (and arguably two or even three of) the greatest hardcore albums of all time and more than anything earns them a little slack in my book.

the "homophobe" comment in this review was completely unnecessary and will only add fuel to the fire

Up with the Jesus, down with the sinners (aka:homosexuals)

- HR

The production on this pisses me off for some reason. It sounds like their are layers of white noise pasted on top of everything. The songs are good but it makes my head hurt to listen.

i love this album... both the hardcore tracks and the reggae tracks

i also agree that this album is closer to I Against I than anything else, which i think is fine since thats my favorite Brains album anyway

7/10

Nothing but the upmost respect for these guys, and it helps they put out a solid album.