After the tinny sound quality of the band's debut, the second {$Bad Brains} album came as a real blast of sonic fresh air. Producer {$Ric Ocasek} is largely responsible, but the increased tightness and focus are also a function of maturation. This band was a weird bundle of contradictions from day one: black, Rastafarian instrumental virtuosos playing hard-core punk, formerly the exclusive domain of white, aggressively atheist musical amateurs. That last contradiction would come to full musical flower on {^I Against I}, but {^Rock for Light} shows the band at the height of its punk energy. {&"P.M.A.,"} {&"Joshua's Song,"} and {&"Coptic Times"} are typical examples of {$Bad Brains}' unique blend of punk velocity and Rasta ideology. When they suddenly swing into mellow reggae (on {&"I and I Survive,"} {&"The Meek,"} {&"Rally 'Round Jah Throne,"} and the dubwise instrumental {&"Jam"}) the effect is like some kind of pleasant musical whiplash. The 1990 CD reissue of this album was remixed by {$Ocasek} and bassist {$Darryl Jennifer}, and it includes several bonus tracks. ~ Rick Anderson, All Music Guide