The 1986 Listening Post - Bad Brains - I Against I

Bad Brains - I Against I

524

November 1986

Bad Brains

I Against I

4.25 out of 5

Highlights:

Let Me Help

Sacred Love

Return to Heaven

Boy do I wish there were actual songs here. This is exactly the way I wanted Punk to evolve: organized chaos. Controlled mayhem. 

This is like a punk driven manifesto without being a screed ala DKs or pedantic like Henry Rollins. 

I’m surprised just how effective this was for me without ever being predictable. 

https://music.apple.com/us/album/i-against-i/115821017

The 1983 Listening Post - Bad Brains - Rock for Light

Bad Brains - Rock for Light

1983 Housekeeping
Bad Brains
Rock for Light
3 out of 5

Highlights:
Coptic Times
We Will Not
Banned in D.C.
At the Movies

I wish the production was better. It’s so muddy. Like it was recorded in someone’s bedroom. Which is a shame cuz the playing is blistering. And weird cuz it was produced by Roc Ocasek and he understands the importance of space more than just about anyone. There’s a ton of echo where there shouldn’t be. The punk songs are murder, though. Enough to allow me to get past the reggae. If deathcorepunk is your jam then this will get you through. If mixing Reggae with Harcore punk is up your alley, you’ll dig this. Since these two styles were mixing in the clubs in the early 80s it’s no surprise that there would be a hardcore American band that would blend the two. But neither styles are compelling enough for me.