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Build a Nation

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Build a Nation
Studio album by
Bad Brains
ReleasedJune 26, 2007
Recorded2004–2007
Genre
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
Metacritic73/100[1]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[2]
Entertainment WeeklyB+[3]
Pitchfork Media6.9/10[4]
IGN8.8/10[5]
Rocklouder[6]
Rolling Stone[7]
kvltsite[8]
The Observer[9]
Alternative Press[10]
Spin[11]

Build a Nation is the eighth full-length studio album by American rock band Bad Brains. Released on June 26, 2007, through Megaforce Records, with distribution by Oscilloscope Laboratories, the album was produced by Adam Yauch of Beastie Boys, a longtime friend and supporter of the band. The release coincided with the 30th anniversary of the band’s formation.

The album was issued on CD and as a limited-edition multi-colored vinyl pressing, featuring red, green, and yellow vinyl—a nod to the band's Rastafarian influences. Notably, the album's photography was done by renowned photographer Annie Leibovitz.

Build a Nation debuted at number 100 on the Billboard 200 during its first week of release.[12]

Background

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Nearly three years in production, Build a Nation is Bad Brains' first album of original material since 1995's God of Love. The 1996 release Black Dots is a collection of early recordings, while I & I Survived (2002) is a remix album.

In April 2004, the Beastie Boys' official website revealed that Adam Yauch would produce Bad Brains' follow-up to God of Love.[13] It was also announced that the band had recorded the album at Yauch’s studio and were in the process of mixing it.

In February 2005, bassist Darryl Jenifer told Billboard that Bad Brains were in the studio recording their first proper studio album in ten years, with plans for a release later that year.[14] Yauch confirmed in interviews that he was producing the sessions, which featured basic tracks recorded by the band's original lineup. Frontman H.R. was also confirmed to be participating, and the album was expected to mark a return to the band's early hardcore punk sound.

In November 2006, guitarist Dr. Know described the sound of the new album, stating:

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[15]

In January 2007, it was announced that Build a Nation would be the title of the album.[16] In March, the band announced they had signed with Megaforce Records.[17]

On April 26, 2007, the official release date of Build a Nation was confirmed as June 26, 2007.[18]

The album was leaked online on May 10, 2007.

On May 15, 2007, it was announced that System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian would direct the music video for the album's first single, "Give Thanks and Praises."[19] The video, which features a live concert performance, was available on the band's MySpace page as of August 2007. Odadjian appears at the end of the video alongside frontman H.R., with the two seen walking off stage and smoking a marijuana joint.

Track listing

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  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

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References

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  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. [June 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. June 28, 2007. Retrieved March 17, 2013.[dead link]
  6. ^ BAD BRAINS – BUILD A NATION Rocklouder Album Review
  7. ^ "Rolling Stone Music | Album Reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 16, 2007. 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. [July 2007, p.174]
  11. ^ Build a Nation roars and throbs with vintage fire. [July 2007, p.92]
  12. ^ "Billboard 200, Week of July 14, 2007". Billboard. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  13. ^ Adam Yauch producing new Bad Brains / New Beastie Boys record details, Punknews.org, April 8, 2004
  14. ^ Soul Brains Unite With A Beastie Boy, Billboard.com, February 8, 2005
  15. ^ "Bad Brains back on track". Punknews.org. November 2, 2006. Retrieved November 17, 2007.
  16. ^ Bad Brains Darryl Jenifer talks about new record, Punknews.org, January 21, 2007
  17. ^ Bad Brains sign to Megaforce Records, plan spring 2007 release, world tour, Punknews.org, March 2, 2007
  18. ^ Bad Brains 'Build a Nation' official release date, track listing, Punknews.org, April 26, 2007
  19. ^ "Bad Brains Video News And Tour", Paul Tao, AbsolutePunk.net, May 15, 2007
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