Band Spotlight : Bad Brains

So, Bad Brains have a new album out, Build a Nation, which was produced by Beastie Boy Adam Yauch. Chances are that you like several bands who would list Bad Brains as a strong influence. They were founders of the D.C. hardcore scene (which brought you the likes of Fugazi and Rites of Spring) and threw down an eclectic sound with roots in punk, prog and reggae (which influenced Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sublime, 311, Beastie Boys, Black Flag, Rage Against the Machine, Faith No More and about a billion other bands). The band is one of those 'as volatile off stage as they are onstage' situations, and have broken up and reformed plenty over the years. The album can be heard on their myspace page, and is rightly hailed as a return to their hardcore roots.
I've been listening to it, and I've gotta say that I've really enjoyed the reggae jams, but I reacted to the hardcore parts the same way I react to most hardcore– unimpressed. It might be hard for some to go from hardcore to reggae and back like this, but the whole album's up, give it a listen. I'll give you some older Bad Brains tracks for you to mull over, too. It's historical, ya'll!