After a heavily processed vocal introduction from H.R., opener "Give Thanks and Praises" explodes with a skull-rattling Dr. Know guitar riff and the kind of hell-bent onslaught that made bassist Darryl Jenifer and drummer Earl Hudson one of the fiercest rhythm sections in punk history. A touch of Echoplex magic gives blistering tracks like "Jah People Make the World Go Round" and "Universal Peace" an added dimension. Yauch's analog approach elevates the reggae grooves of "Natty Dreadlocks 'pon the Mountain Top" and "Roll On" to dubwise transcendence that brilliantly balances the disc's hardcore fury. Even if H.R.'s delivery doesn't match his frenzied vitriol from classic-era Bad Brains, Build a Nation stands as one of the most shockingly potent comebacks in recent memory.
