Quickness

Bad Brains | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 14, 1989)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Caroline
• ASIN: B000000HRH
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #177,632 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Bad Brains in the late 80s crossover era, June 9, 2005

By 

Oliver Sheppard (US) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Quickness (Audio CD)

I agree with the average Amazon reviewer review of 4 stars (out of 5) for this album. This album is essentially a companion piece to what some claim is their masterwork, the "I Against I" album.

One doesn't need to purchase "I Against I" to appreciate this album, but it would be recommended, as the album effectively functions as a sequel. The first track of "I AGAINST I" -- the "Intro" -- contains the riff that would become the backbone of Track 2 here, "Voyage Into Infinity." In that sense, "With the Quickness," is an expansion upon "I Against I," a logical counterpart.

By this time in hardcore history, hardcore punk had given way to metal crossover influences. Bands like DRI, SUICIDAL TENDENCIES, the CRO-MAGS, and others were blending speedmetal with hardcore. The BAD BRAINS, though originally from DC, were undoubtedly aware of the New York Hardcore movement that was blending chunka-chunka , palm muted metal with hardcore punk, themselves having moved to New York City by this time. "Quickness" reflects this awareness and incorporates it effortlessly into a powerful combination here.

While this LP is arguably not as good as "I Against I," I think it comes close. It is not the same faster-than-fast thrashy Bad Brains of old, though a few faster numbers are thrown on in what feels like an attempt to prove to people they hadn't abandoned their fastcore punk roots. The best tracks are actually the mid-tempo metal tracks, like the 1st two songs. As with most Bad Brains albums, the best tracks are on the first half of the album, and the 2nd half becomes more experimental, slower, etc.

One warning, it is on this album that Bad Brains included their homophobic song "Don't Blow Bubbles," which is about AIDS and homosexuality. Basically, the gist of that song is that AIDS is the deserved punishment of those who are gay. It's unfortunate that Bad Brains wrote and recorded this. Musically, the song is one of the best on the LP, but lyrically it's basically about as good as a Skrewdriver or M.O.D. song. The Bad Brains caused a lot of controversy in the hc scene when they revealed their essentially homophobic beliefs via this song and various other statements.

So, take that into mind when you buy this album. Bad Brains made a lot of good music early on, but it's a shame they had to delve into anti-gay waters through their music on this album.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Still classic Bad Brains, July 4, 2007

By 

Gogol (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Quickness (Audio CD)

Yeh this came out in the whole 'crossover' period of the late 80s when bands like Cro Mags, Suicidal Tendencies, Gang Green and DRI (at least DRI made a good attempt at it) crossed over into a more metal sound.

First I was a little worried that this may be just another 3rd rate crossover album but nope, this is still Bad Brains doing what they do best, pushing the boundries of music to the limits!

This still has classic BB hardcore mixed with reggae but now with a couple of slower 'metal' sounding tracks thrown in that Bad Brains produce so well they dont sound out of place.

A few listens later and this has got to be one of my favorite Bad Brains albums. Buy it, you wont be disappointed.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Punk + Metal+ Reggae dudes kickin [...] = Awesome, July 13, 2006

By 

R. V. Zandt "PooPoosmellyface" (Jackson,MS USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Quickness (Audio CD)

I Just got the quickness sent from amazon and I was listening to it today and now Im overwelmed with joy, cant recommend this enough to bad brains fan, fans of infectious punk or metal

Soul craft,Voyage into infinity,With the quickness,Yout juice and Prophets eye are the best the rest is good to listen to not filler but those are my fav cuts but as too the contreversial track dont blow no bubbles I really dont care for the track anyway its not that great of a track anyway but I dont why people dont just laugh at it more as a joke I sure dont take it seriously and Im more offended by the people who get offended for a track that isnt that great to begin with....jeez leweez