Build a Nation

Build a Nation is the eighth full-length studio album by hardcore punk pioneers Bad Brains. Released on June 26, 2007 on Megaforce Records with distribution by Oscilloscope Laboratories, it was produced by Adam Yauch of Beastie Boys, a longtime friend of the band. This album marked the 30th anniversary of the band.

Build a Nation
Studio album by
Bad Brains
ReleasedJune 26, 2007
Recorded2004–2007
Genrealternative metal, hardcore punk, reggae
Length37:34
LabelMegaforce
ProducerAdam Yauch
Bad Brains chronology
I & I Survived
(2002)		 Build a Nation
(2007)		 Into the Future
(2012)
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic(73/100)[1]
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[2]
Entertainment Weekly(B+)[3]
Pitchfork Media(6.9/10)[4]
IGN(8.8/10)[5]
Rocklouder[6]
Rolling Stone[7]
kvltsite[8]
The Observer[9]
Alternative Press[10]
Spin[11]

Along with being available on CD, the album was also released on a yellow, green, and red multi-colored vinyl record. The photography for the album was shot by Annie Leibovitz.

In the album's opening week, it debuted at #100 on the Billboard 200.

Background

Nearly three years in production, Build a Nation is the first album of original material from Bad Brains since 1995's God of Love, as Black Dots is a collection of early recordings and I & I Survived is a remix album.

In April 2004, Beastie Boys' official website revealed that Adam Yauch would be producing Bad Brains' follow-up to God of Love.[12] It was also announced that the band recorded it in Yauch's studio and was in mixing.

In February 2005, bassist Darryl Jenifer told Billboard that Bad Brains were in the studio recording their first proper studio album in ten years, to be released later in the year.[13] Beastie Boy Adam Yauch also gave interviews indicating that he was producing the sessions, for which basic tracks featuring the original lineup had been recorded. Frontman H.R. was said to be on board for the new album, slated to emphasize a return to their early hardcore sound.

In November 2006, guitarist Dr. Know described on the sound of the new album. He states:

There's a lot of dubs and there's some old school-meets-new school Brains, not moderate tempo, but fast tempo. Yauch said, 'Man, I want y'all to do some old school-type shit,' so we did it like that. I want to start working on the next one, because we did that one two years ago already.

— Dr. Know[14]

In January 2007, it was announced that Build a Nation would be the title of the album.[15] In March of that year, it was also announced that the band signed to Megaforce Records.[16]

On April 26, 2007, it was announced that Build a Nation would be officially released on June 26.[17]

On May 10, 2007, the full album was leaked across the internet.

On May 15, 2007, it was revealed that System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian would be directing the first video from Build a Nation.[18] The video for the song "Give Thanks and Praises" can be seen online on the band's MySpace page as of August 2007. Director Shavo Odadjian makes an appearance at the end of the concert video with frontman H.R. The two are seen walking stageside, passing and smoking a marijuana joint.

Track listing
  1. "Give Thanks and Praises" – 2:25
  2. "Jah People Make the World Go Round" – 2:09
  3. "Pure Love" – 0:56
  4. "Natty Dreadlocks 'pon the Mountain Top" – 3:32
  5. "Build a Nation" – 1:44
  6. "Expand Your Soul" – 2:49
  7. "Jah Love" – 3:07
  8. "Let There Be Angels (Just Like You)" – 2:27
  9. "Universal Peace" – 3:04
  10. "Roll On" – 4:04
  11. "Until Kingdom Comes" – 3:19
  12. "In the Beginning" – 1:32
  13. "Send You No Flowers" – 2:32
  14. "Peace Be Unto Thee" – 3:54
  15. "Married Again" (bonus track on 7" box set)

Personnel

References
  1. "Build A Nation Reviews". Metacritic. June 26, 2007. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
  2. https://www.allmusic.com/album/r1074815
  3. Bad Brains' most cohesive effort since the 1986 watershed I Against I. [Jun 29, 2007, p.136]
  4. "Bad Brains: Build a Nation | Album Reviews". Pitchfork. June 28, 2007. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
  5. "Bad Brains – Build A Nation Review – IGN". Uk.music.ign.com. June 28, 2007. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
  6. BAD BRAINS – BUILD A NATION Rocklouder Album Review
  7. "Rolling Stone Music | Album Reviews". Rollingstone.com. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
  8. "Account Suspended". Kvltsite.com. Archived from the original on April 4, 2008. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
  9. Campion, Chris (June 17, 2007). "CD: Bad Brains, Build a Nation". The Guardian. London.
  10. It's surprisingly decent. [Jul 2007, p.174]
  11. Build a Nation roars and throbs with vintage fire. [Jul 2007, p.92]
  12. Adam Yauch producing new Bad Brains / New Beastie Boys record details, Punknews.org, April 8, 2004
  13. Soul Brains Unite With A Beastie Boy, Billboard.com, February 8, 2005
  14. "Bad Brains back on track". Punknews.org. November 2, 2006. Retrieved November 17, 2007.
  15. Bad Brains Darryl Jenifer talks about new record, Punknews.org, January 21, 2007
  16. Bad Brains sign to Megaforce Records, plan spring 2007 release, world tour, Punknews.org, March 2, 2007
  17. Bad Brains 'Build a Nation' official release date, track listing, Punknews.org, April 26, 2007
  18. "Bad Brains Video News And Tour", Paul Tao, AbsolutePunk.net, May 15, 2007
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