Build a Nation
Encyclopedia
Build a Nation is the eighth proper full-length studio album by hardcore punk
pioneers Bad Brains
. Released on June 26, 2007, it was produced by Adam Yauch
of Beastie Boys
, a longtime friend of the band. This album also celebrates the 30th anniversary of the band.
Along with being available on CD, the album was also released on a yellow, green, and red
multi-colored vinyl record. The photography for the album was shot by Annie Leibovitz
.
In the album's opening week, it debuted at #100 on the Billboard 200
.
is a collection of early recordings and I & I Survived is a remix album.
In April 2004, Beastie Boys
' official website revealed that Adam Yauch
would be producing Bad Brains' follow-up to God of Love. It was also announced that the band recorded it in Yauch's studio and was in mixing.
In February 2005, bassist Darryl Jenifer told Billboard that Bad Brains were in the studio recording their first proper studio album in ten years, to be released later in the year. Beastie Boy Adam Yauch
also gave interviews indicating that he was producing the sessions, for which basic tracks featuring the original lineup had been recorded. Frontman H.R.
was said to be on board for the new album, slated to emphasize a return to their early hardcore sound.
In November 2006, guitarist Dr. Know
described on the sound of the new album. He states:
In January 2007, it was announced that Build a Nation would be the title of the album. In March
of that year, it was also announced that the band signed to Megaforce Records
.
On April 26, 2007, it was announced that Build a Nation would be officially released on June 26.
On May 10, 2007, the full album was leaked across the internet.
On May 15, 2007, it was revealed that System of a Down
bassist Shavo Odadjian
would be directing the first video from Build a Nation. The video for the song "Give Thanks and Praises" can be seen online on the band's MySpace page as of August 2007. Director Shavo Odadjian makes an appearance at the end of the concert video with frontman H.R. The two are seen charismatically walking stageside, passing and smoking a marijuana joint.
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
pioneers Bad Brains
Bad Brains
Bad Brains is an American hardcore punk band formed in Washington, D.C., in 1977. They are widely regarded as among the pioneers of hardcore punk, though the band's members objected to this term to describe their music. They are also an adept reggae band, while later recordings featured elements of...
. Released on June 26, 2007, it was produced by Adam Yauch
Adam Yauch
Adam Nathaniel Yauch , , is a founding member of hip hop trio the Beastie Boys. He is frequently known by his stage name, MCA, and other pseudonyms such as Nathanial Hörnblowér.-Early life:...
of Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys are an American hip hop trio from New York City. The group consists of Mike D who plays the drums, MCA who plays the bass, and Ad-Rock who plays the guitar....
, a longtime friend of the band. This album also celebrates the 30th anniversary of the band.
Along with being available on CD, the album was also released on a yellow, green, and red
Rastafari movement
The Rastafari movement or Rasta is a new religious movement that arose in the 1930s in Jamaica, which at the time was a country with a predominantly Christian culture where 98% of the people were the black descendants of slaves. Its adherents worship Haile Selassie I, Emperor of Ethiopia , as God...
multi-colored vinyl record. The photography for the album was shot by Annie Leibovitz
Annie Leibovitz
Anna-Lou "Annie" Leibovitz is an American portrait photographer.-Early life and education:Born in Waterbury, Connecticut, Leibovitz is the third of six children. She is a third-generation American whose great-grandparents were Jewish immigrants, from Central and Eastern Europe. Her father's...
.
In the album's opening week, it debuted at #100 on the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
.
Background
Nearly three years in production, Build a Nation is the first album of original material from Bad Brains since 1995's God of Love, as Black DotsBlack Dots
Black Dots is a collection of early songs recorded by Bad Brains. It was recorded at Inner Ear Studios in 1979, which at the time was in Don Zientara's basement. In between songs you can hear Zientara's son talking to H.R...
is a collection of early recordings and I & I Survived is a remix album.
In April 2004, Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys are an American hip hop trio from New York City. The group consists of Mike D who plays the drums, MCA who plays the bass, and Ad-Rock who plays the guitar....
' official website revealed that Adam Yauch
Adam Yauch
Adam Nathaniel Yauch , , is a founding member of hip hop trio the Beastie Boys. He is frequently known by his stage name, MCA, and other pseudonyms such as Nathanial Hörnblowér.-Early life:...
would be producing Bad Brains' follow-up to God of Love. It was also announced that the band recorded it in Yauch's studio and was in mixing.
In February 2005, bassist Darryl Jenifer told Billboard that Bad Brains were in the studio recording their first proper studio album in ten years, to be released later in the year. Beastie Boy Adam Yauch
Adam Yauch
Adam Nathaniel Yauch , , is a founding member of hip hop trio the Beastie Boys. He is frequently known by his stage name, MCA, and other pseudonyms such as Nathanial Hörnblowér.-Early life:...
also gave interviews indicating that he was producing the sessions, for which basic tracks featuring the original lineup had been recorded. Frontman H.R.
H.R.
H.R. is the stage name of Paul D. Hudson, the lead singer of the hardcore punk band Bad Brains. His vocals can be quite diverse, ranging from a rapid-fire nasal whine, to feral growling and screeches, to smooth near-crooning or staccato reggae rhymes...
was said to be on board for the new album, slated to emphasize a return to their early hardcore sound.
In November 2006, guitarist Dr. Know
Dr. Know (guitarist)
Dr. Know is the stage name of Gary Miller, guitarist for Bad Brains, regarded as one of punk rock's most innovative and important bands...
described on the sound of the new album. He states:
In January 2007, it was announced that Build a Nation would be the title of the album. In March
March 2007
March 2007 was the third month of that year. It began on a Thursday, and ended 31 days later on a Saturday.-International holidays:* March 1 – St Davids Day United Kingdom* March 4 – Purim * March 10 – Arba'een...
of that year, it was also announced that the band signed to Megaforce Records
Megaforce Records
Megaforce Records is an American independent record label which was founded in 1982 by Jon and Marsha Zazula to publish the first works of Metallica. It has offices in New York and Philadelphia. The label is distributed in the U.S. by Sony Music Entertainment/RED Distribution...
.
On April 26, 2007, it was announced that Build a Nation would be officially released on June 26.
On May 10, 2007, the full album was leaked across the internet.
On May 15, 2007, it was revealed that System of a Down
System of a Down
System of a Down, also known by the acronym SOAD and often shortened to System, is a rock band from Southern California. The band was formed in 1994. It consists of Serj Tankian , Daron Malakian , Shavo Odadjian and John Dolmayan...
bassist Shavo Odadjian
Shavo Odadjian
Shavarsh "Shavo" Odadjian is an Armenian American songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, music video director/editor, music producer, and artist/painter. He is best known as the bassist, backing vocalist and occasional songwriter of the Grammy Award-winning rock band System of a Down...
would be directing the first video from Build a Nation. The video for the song "Give Thanks and Praises" can be seen online on the band's MySpace page as of August 2007. Director Shavo Odadjian makes an appearance at the end of the concert video with frontman H.R. The two are seen charismatically walking stageside, passing and smoking a marijuana joint.
Track listing
- "Give Thanks and Praises" – 2:25
- "Jah People Make the World Go Round" – 2:09
- "Pure Love" – 0:56
- "Natty Dreadlocks 'pon the Mountain Top" – 3:32
- "Build a Nation" – 1:44
- "Expand Your Soul" – 2:49
- "Jah Love" – 3:07
- "Let There Be Angels (Just Like You)" – 2:27
- "Universal Peace" – 3:04
- "Roll On" – 4:04
- "Until Kingdom Comes" – 3:19
- "In the Beginning" – 1:32
- "Send You No Flowers" – 2:32
- "Peace Be Unto Thee" – 3:54
- "Married Again" (bonus track on 7" box set)
Personnel
- H.R.H.R.H.R. is the stage name of Paul D. Hudson, the lead singer of the hardcore punk band Bad Brains. His vocals can be quite diverse, ranging from a rapid-fire nasal whine, to feral growling and screeches, to smooth near-crooning or staccato reggae rhymes...
- vocals - Dr. KnowDr. Know (guitarist)Dr. Know is the stage name of Gary Miller, guitarist for Bad Brains, regarded as one of punk rock's most innovative and important bands...
- guitar - Darryl Jenifer - bass
- Earl HudsonEarl HudsonEarl Hudson is the drummer for Bad Brains, regarded as one of punk rock's most influential and innovative bands. He is the younger brother of the band's lead singer H.R.. Although he has rarely recorded or performed outside of the band, he and fellow bandmates, guitarist Dr...
- drums