Review of Build a Nation

Bad Brains returning with singer H.R. in tow of course has the makings of greatness, but H.R.’s former fury is replaced by half-hearted murmurs. Producer Adam Yaunch of the Beastie Boys can’t save the lacklustre vocal performance, but on the five reggae songs here, Bad Brains get the production they always deserved, and H.R. finally comes out of his shell. The rest of the band is inspired throughout, and their innovation is still front and centre, but with H.R.’s lack of heart on the hardcore, this hardly hits the heights of former glories of I Against I, let alone that first ROIR tape.

7/10