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