I Against I

Bad Brains

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: 1986
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sst Records
• ASIN: B000000M0V
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #47,179 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in this category: (What's this?)

  #79 in

  Music > Indie Music > Alternative Rock > Hardcore & Punk > Hardcore

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
After the first of their countless breakups, the Bad Brains reconvened in 1986 to record this, their undeniable masterwork. Fusing dub reggae and funk rhythms into the mix, and slowing the tempo down enough to appeal to hardcore's emergent metal crossover audience, the Bad Brains created one of the most powerful collections the '80s produced in any genre. On "I Against I" and "House of Suffering," the quartet suffuses traditional Jamaican spiritualism with modern urban concerns, while the soaring "Sacred Love" is guaranteed to send shivers down the spine of anyone with any soul whatsoever. An essential release. --David Sprague

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Redefining themselves and whatever they do, June 2, 2004

By	Campbell Roark "tri-zeta" (from under the floorboards and through the woods...) - See all my reviews

Ok, it's not the early, tempestuous Bad Brains of the ROIR release. It's not the steamlined genuis of Rock for Light. It's still powerful, frenetic, blazing, gutsy music the likes and equal of which you will never hear... This CD still doesn't sound dated, nigh 20 years after its release. Name any band currently enjoying the vogue of empty-vee and pop success and place their best album up against this gem. There is no comparison. Stop lyin!

Not only did Bad Brains define the HC movement, launching a thousand bands- they then went on to pioneer and set the platinum standard for post-punk/metal/funk/reaggae/soul fusion. You're looking at it right now. Dr. Know's ability on guitar should make every other would-be shredder hang his head in shame. HR is perhaps the only vocalist in his genre who can get away with hand wringing, lyrical archaisms such as "Him that oppress reproach his maker, he that honor him have mercy on the poor." Try to imgaine the lead singer from SUCKubus singing that line, intoning such an overtly biblical syntax and pulling it off like'd as if he was Moses. Or any other frontman for that matter. The band is unassailable. No one can come close to matching the propulsive fury, sensual elegance, blinding energy, ecstatic passion and frenetic pulse of this band.

This CD is alive. ALIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Album Ever, Regardless of Style. A+. Thank You., October 29, 2003

By	Music Expert "tom807" (East Coast, USA) - See all my reviews

I know some might miss the breakneck speed they were known for on their earlier albums. I know that some might think they have too many musical influences to considered "pure" punk. Get over it. This is a masterpiece regardless of genre. It is one of my favorite albums of all times because it is one of the greatest albums of all time. Dr. Know's guitar sound is the most crunchy, distorted, howling sound emanating from an amp I've ever heard. The drum sound is cracking perfect. The album is perfect. You will skip zero tracks. If you've never heard this album, you are extremely unfortunate. It should be issued to everyone with a CD player -- just packaged inside the player's carton when you purchase it. It would save time, and educate the masses.

I remember being in a record store in 1986, and someone saying they were going to play, for the first time, the new Bad Brains record. I was floored. I already had accepted the fact that they were the best at what they did, even though I had to sit through the occasional reggae song. It was worth it, there is no question about it. But when I heard the first chord of "Intro" I knew I was going to be in for quite a ride. I was, totally blown away, and that is a major understatement.

This album manages to be everything the Bad Brains musically stood for. I know, personally, they were quite a handful, and not respected by many for their misogynistic, homophobic opinions. They overcome this by producing an album that I still listen to today. Produced by Ron St. Germain, it sounds as good as it is written and played.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I became a Afro-Punk because of this album, July 31, 2005

By	E. D. Daniels (tampa, florida United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

In 1987, I was listening to Prince, classic R&B and Nu Wave music, a friend of mine who used to host a music video show on alternative music (when the term meant something)played the title track to this album. It shocked the heck outta me seeing four black gentleman playing "hardcore" and then mixing it up with reggae and dub music at the time.It took me another 3 years after I listened to 'Quickness' then went back to this album and was blown away by it's sound and power. It's musical diversity is so evident from the title track to my favorite Bad Brains song "Re-igintion" to "House of Suffering". And like Public Enemy, it changed my musical outlook and put me on the path to seek out other musical sounds and black alternative music to this day. Get this album now!!!!!