I Against I

I Against I is an alternative rock album by Bad Brains, released in 1986 (see 1986 in music) as SST Records number 65. Widely regarded as the highest-quality album in Bad Brains' catalogue, I Against I is a critically praised album of American punk rock mixed with Jamaican reggae music. Both genres have frequently socially aware lyrics, and I Against I continues that tradition with diatribes against violence and other social evils.

The title I Against I presumably refers to a common Rastafarian phrase, I and I, which is used in place of the first-person plural (e.g. we) in order to signify the union of the speaker, audience and Jah (God) in love and peace.

Track listing

1. "Intro" (Miller/Jenifer) - 1:02
2. "I Against I" (Hudson/Miller/Jennifer) - 2:50
3. "House of Suffering" (Hudson/Miller) - 2:28
4. "Re-Ignition" (Hudson/Jenifer/Miller) - 4:18
5. "Secret 77" (Hudson/Miller/Jenifer) - 4:03
6. "Let Me Help" (Hudson/Miller/Jenifer) - 2:15
7. "She's Calling You" (Hudson/Jenifer) - 3:40
8. "Sacred Love" (Hudson/Miller/Jenifer) - 3:40
9. "Hired Gun" (Hudson/Miller/Jenifer) - 3:43
10. "Return to Heaven" (Hudson/Miller/Jenifer) - 3:54

Recording details

• Doctor Know - Guitar
• H.R. - Vocals
• Earl Hudson - Drums
• Darryl Jenifer - Bass
• Ron St. Germain - Producer
• Phil Burnett - Engineer
• Patch - Mixing
• Anthony Countey - Management
• Jesse Henderson - Assistant Engineer at Longview Farm, Worchester, MA
• Bill Ryan - Assistant Engineer at Longview Farm, Worchester, MA
• Eddie Krupski - Assistant Engineer for mixing at Soundworks, N.Y.C.
• Dennis Mitchell - Assistant Engineer for mixing at Soundworks, N.Y.C.
• Bob Ludwig - Mastering at Masterdisc, N.Y.C.
• Marcia Resnick - Cover concept, Photography
• Paul Bacon Studio - Calligraphy and development