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Interesting Japanese underground tribute to Bad Brains

Stephan Berwick | East Coast, U.S. | 02/23/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The underground punk/reggae scene in Japan is not well known. But to those in the know, when the Bad Brains visit Tokyo, they're revered in ways that probably still surprises the band. This comprehensive tribute album from a variety of punk, reggae, and club groups in Japan, is the ultimate in band worship. Renditions of classic Bad Brains songs on this album are full of heartfelt attempts to exactly imitate Bad Brain classics.
While these adoring bands capure the technical requirements of hardcore (with some nice, clever musical twists), the vocals don't approach the frenzied, yet smooth soulfulness of HR. But that's okay. Because once you get past the first half of the CD (which is comprised of mostly straight forward covers), the second half is really interesting. Some of the interpretations are really cool. One of the bands feature a female vocalist who really captures the spirit of the Bad Brains with a unique, lush interpretation of one of Bad Brains most "hardest" tunes. Very nice. I definitely recommend this CD for Bad Brains fans. I also believe aspiring musicians and DJs looking for new ways to cover classic songs would find this very unique tribute album worthy of study. [Also the CD includes a fun, raw recording of Bad Brains' latest tune, On Like Popcorn. The song first appeared on their last concert album, (as Soul Brains), recorded in San Francisco just a few years ago.]"