Customer Reviews

Quickness

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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

I haven't heard any other band that sounds like bb, and i will always keep this one. If you are unfamiliar with hr then you may be turned off at first, but he quickly grows on you because he is extremely expressive. The production is sharp and pops. The mid-song rythmn changes, like in "the messengers" are ingenious and keep the music fresh today. "With the Quickness" is an eclectic mix of grunge (before grunge), vernon reid-esq solos, thrash-metal and, of course, punk. This album was a nice blend of fast, ripping tracks (e.g. "sheba") and slowed-down, heavy-chevy tracks (e.g."w/da quickness"). Bb's lyrics were wonderful then, because the airwaves were dominated by flakey stuff lacking substance and, today, these lyrics still have depth to them, taking the listener on a metaphysical and concrete journey keeping true to reggae by interspersing religion and charged political opinions throughout the album. The only drawback on the album is "don't blow..." which seems like musical filler.

Great cd, featuring the brains minus the regular drummer earl hudson, despite him being on the cover. Mackie of the cro-mags replaces earl on drums and you can totally hear some cro-mags influence in this recording. I would definetly call this the third best cd behind the self titled cd and rock for light. What i truly dont understand is how alot of people like to rate this BEHIND I against I. I don't know how that fad got started but the difference is I against I has a couple of good tunes, the rest is 80's rock schpiel that i couldn't care for. On quickness, you got intensity in songs like gene machine/don't bother me, soulcraft, the messenger (with the best hardcore breakdown) and the great reggae tune the prophets eye. I didnt like the rappy with the quickness i do gotta say. But give this a shot, this is definetly a keeper!

This is the most 'metal' of the Brains albums and it features HR for the last time in full possession of his awesome, evocative voice. Ron St. Germains' production is flawless: the drums are tight and powerful, the bass has earl's fat, growling tone fully intact, Dr. Know's guitars are at their most metallic and edgy, and HR's vocals are captured and exploited to perfection...from inhuman screeching throat noises to tremulous moans to full-bore primal screams to sweet and moving reggae crooning. the songs are solid and bear repeated listens...Soul Craft is particularly brutal and fun to listen to, while Yout Juice continues I against I's melodic pop-punk-metal vein flawlessly...GET THIS ALBUM. after this HR was never the same...

The Bad Brains' most cohesive album since the ROIR debut, this CD cracks and sizzles with intensity. Cro-Mags drummer Mackie replaces Earl Hudson for this set (reason unknown). The production is amazing (via a guy who formerly worked with James Brown, among others), and HR gives up the vocal performance of his life. A four-star album. Excepting the fact that Mackie is not Earl, this album would receive five. Essential and perhaps their greatest work, certainly the easiest on the ears.

I think if a band has one uniform style, but pursues another genre once in a while and does it well it makes a great album. I think it's good that Quickness is more rock driven; they can't do fast paced punk all the time! Don't get me wrong, Rock for Light and Bad Brains are the supreme punk albums of America, but Bad Brains are no strangers to all out assaulting hard thrash rock and they do it pretty damn good. Earl Hudsons throbbing drums and Dr. Know's mesmerizing solos have to be heard. This is a vicious, powerful album despite being a little too religious and homophobic at one point. Chris Cornell of Soundgarden called Quickness one of the best rock albums of all time, I can see why!

If I was lost on a desert island, this is the CD I would want. The thing I love about this album is the guitar solos by Dr.Know (check out Soul craft among others). The lyricial content is amazing. Take Yout Juice for example. Yout Juice is about how Ponce De Leon went looking for the fountain of youth, and never found it. The reason he couldnt find it was because the fountain of youth is in Zion. Sheba also is another Bad Brains Mystical Tale. Queen Sheba is the legendary mother who gave birth to the inhabitants of Ethopia. One of her Children Menelik is also mentioned in this tale."Hidden scrolls reveal for all to see" sings H.R. There is even A nifty reggae tune- Prophets Eye. Is this better than I aganist I? Close call, however for production value this album stands out(Listen to the gated snare sound). Go out and get this C.D

I got this when it first came out and was not overly impressed because it sounded too metal compared to the earlier stuff which I loved. But lo and behold I pulled it out recently and more than 20 years after its release it holds up very well. In a weird way it sounds less dated now than when it was released amid a lot of the metal-funk-punk crossover stuff happening back then. It has a great chunky sound, the playing's top notch as you'd expect and the songs are pretty catchy. I'll be listening to it a whole lot more now.