If you didn't already know, Bad Brains, along with Minor Threat, Black Flag and others started a musical revolution with the American hardcore movement in the early 1980s. (I highly recommend the DVD American Hardcore: The History of American Punk Rock 1980 – 1986 for a look at the early beginnings of Bad Brains and many of these bands.) As fast as this movement started, it was gone, with bands either disappearing or drastically changing styles. As devoted followers of the Rastafarian movement, Bad Brains embraced reggae music, much to the dismay of their hardcore fans.

The classic lineup of H.R. (vocals), Dr. Know (guitar), Earl Hudson (drums) and Darryl Jenifer (bass) has reunited for shows and albums off and on over the years, but no album has recaptured their hardcore roots. Build a Nation is Bad Brains first album in five years and only their second in 12 years. As the band stated prior to the album's release, it somewhat marks a return to their hardcore sound. They turned to two musicians they have clearly influenced: Adam Yauch of the Beastie Boys, who produced Build a Nation and Shavo of System of a Down, who directed the band's first video from the release (“Give Thanks and Praises”). The result is a band eager and fully capable of playing well-produced hardcore, but H.R. delivers mostly reggae-style vocals. It's an interesting combination that doesn't always work well due to H.R.'s soft voice getting lost within the aggressive material. The ones that work are “Jah People Make the World Go Round,” “Build a Nation,” “Universal Peace” and “Send You No Flowers.” Others songs like “Jah Love,” “Roll On” and the catchy “Peace Be Unto Thee” are pure reggae. And I must say, they're quite good. Overall, Build a Nation is a well written and diverse album. It may not be what people fully expect, but it is a solid album to mark the band's return.

It's obvious Bad Brains doesn't have the same attitude as they did in their early days and haven't for a long time. It was more than 20 years ago. Any new Bad Brains recordings stopped being important long ago, but Build a Nation is an excellent representation of what Bad Brains are currently about. This band already has built their legacy and are part of American music history.