Originally recorded at 171-A Studios, NYC, during AUgust, September, and October 1981, except "Pay to Cum", "I Luv I Luv Jah", and "Jah Calling Dub" recorded live at 171-A on May 16, 1981.
H.R. - Throat
Darryl - Basses, Backing Vocals
Earl Hudson - Drums, Backing Vocals
Dr. Know - Gits, Backing Vocals
This band is the epitome of the phrase "hit or miss". Truly, it's either love them or hate them. There is no such thing as somewhat liking the Bad Brains. It's not possible. I feel safe saying that anyone who is a big fan of rock, generally the harder types of rock, would like this album, excluding a few tracks.
The first five songs on this album are some of my all time favorite hardcore songs. Attitude, an incredibly fast song that will knock you off your chair in amazement is followed shortly after by The Regulator, another quick song that brings out HR's voice best and ends in an odd but satisfying way. I'd have no trouble agreeing with someone saying that this next song, Banned in DC, is Bad Brains best song. It catches their brilliance so well, and the only thing better than the song is the breakdown within it. "And if you ban us from your clubs, it's the right time, with the right mind. And if you think we really care. You won't find in my mind" is one of my favorite Bad Brains and dare I say hardcore lines ever.
What's great about this album is that it doesn't strictly pertain to one genre. It features three dub tracks that are extremely good. If you are a fan of reggae or dub, but not hardcore or punk, don't be afraid to check out these three songs: Jah Calling, Leaving Babylon, and I Luv I Luv Jah. They are absoultely amazing songs and it proves that the Bad Brains weren't only good at one genre.
The rest of the album has some other great songs like Big Take Ovcr, Pay to Cum and Supertouch/shitfit, which don't match my three favorites I mentioned earlier, but are certainly awesome hardcore songs.
If you've heard only a couple of Bad Brains hardcore songs, than get this. Everyone who loves punk and hardcore should have this in their collection, and so should people getting into punk.
