Reviews (page 3 of 14)
History’s best copyright violation.
Best production on any hip hop albums from the 80s far and away. It's crazy how ahead of the curve they were. The Beasties had very advanced sampling techniques and infinite creativity. There is just sample after sample, always something going on in these beats and it's endlessly fun and cool. The lyrics match the vibe, so funny and unique. But let's face it, everyone listens to this for the production and their off the wall energy that matches it.
was expecting more from this, samples were good but a bit samey overall
Amazing samples, yes it may be a bit shouty but that's what the beastie boys are. Great fun album to listen to.
Amazing use of samples. The shouting is a bit one-dimensional.
I liked about half of this album. The Beasties have never been accused of having voices that could read a phone book, and that simple fact grated on me quite a bit. It's not even the yelling for me, it's more of the strident, snot-nosed delivery of essentially every bar. This is admittedly an album of party music, and the more upbeat numbers keep the energy high and consistent. The more mid-tempo tracks on here are absolutely grating to me, especially "High Plains Drifter;" I felt every second of those 4 minutes. All that aside I can definitely see how this album is considered so essential, being that it sampled a little bit of everything from everywhere and introduced that approach to broader hip-hop as a result. To my ears, listening to this 35 plus years after its initial release, this album strikes me as a standout release that came out during the most fruitful years of hip hop's evolution. These days, its influence casts wide, but the album has aged a fair bit. Key Tracks: Shake Your Rump, Hey Ladies, Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun, B-Boy Bouillabaisse (some releases separate each movement, others group them as a single 12 minute track)
One of the group that expanded the hip- hop. The sampling, the rymhes, the inspiration to the future mc.
so many beatle samples in sound of science bit repetitive but also experimental good genre good representation
Would not buy
I unfortunately am not into this album at all. It's maybe not the best introduction into 90's Hip Hop. I will need to do more research on how it was received, particularly by non-white audiences. It is surprisingly vulgar on some tracks, and maybe that is a part of the appeal from that time. There are points of the album that are clever and humorous, but I can't imagine listening to it that often.
10 stars!
Not my favorite Beastie Boys album but I still liked it.
Ну що ж? Принаймні я вже начуваний про їхній стиль)
Day 300. Enjoyed the hell out of this, loved spotting some of the samples they used. Will be listening a lot more in future. Highlights 3 minute rule Looking down the barrel of a gun Car thief
I don't listen to hip hop. Can't be mad at movie samples tho.
Without a doubt beastie boys best album and should be a starting point for anyone looking to get into them. As timeless in 2026 as it was when it came out.
Innovative, significant, listenable and a lot of fun
okay here’s the thing, i do like beastie boys, but this album just didn’t quite cut it for me
Knowing the cost behind the samples in this album really gives it a lot of weight. I really enjoyed the way they just have fun over these insane beats. I feel like I might prefer slightly tighter beats and more intention behind lyrics but this ain't a concept album. This is a just guys having fun and really they do that amazingly.
The production from the Dust Brothers is the interesting element here. The backing tracks show plenty of creativity and the way they flow into each other makes the album cohesive despite it being comprised of hundreds of samples. Unfortunately, it sounds like Bart Simpson and his friends are rapping all over it. I know it's not supposed to be taken super seriously, but I don't really find any of it clever or funny. It's like they wear their ability to be annoying like a badge of honor. Stuff like this is probably partially responsible for the existence of tedious crap like Bloodhound Gang and Lil Dickey, which should be further marks against it. The Dust Brothers' talents would be put to far better use later on their collaborations with Beck. This avoids the lowest rating simply because of their innovative work here.
Has not lost a bit of its cleverness over the 35 years. Hilarious funky and real. Amazing samples.
I never really gave the Beastie Boys much attention. I heard a song growing up, didn't like it, and moved on. Now, I'm in my mid-30s and gave this a listen. And I must say, it's really built my respect for the band. Their use of early sampling, groovy bass lines, and a mix of genre-bending elements made this a pretty fun trip. This may not be their most well-known record, but considering early hip-hop, this is a milestone venture. This was fun. I didn't think I'd enjoy this as much as I did.
The Beastie Boy’s mature, but not that much
The Beastie Boys just don't do it for me sadly
A re-listen, but a welcome one. I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve listened to this over the years. Standout moment: What Comes Around jumped out to me the most this listen, but there’s not a bad moment here.
This doesn’t hold up as well as I thought it would. It’s whiny. I still respect it a lot, but it’s funny how it didn’t hold up or maybe I didn’t hold up.
Didn’t need to be 53 minutes
nota: 1 musicas favs: the sound of science, looking down the barrel of gun, a year and day
Much like their debut, I appreciate the sampling. However, unlike their debut, none of these tracks feel particularly compelling. Can hip-hop be progressive? Because this sure sounds like what hip-hop would sound like if it could be progressive. I honestly can't think of a reason to ever listen to this again.
I get that they have have a certain fan base, so there must be something here. Beastie boys are just not my thing. Nails on a chalkboard
Huh, de eerste keer dat dit clubje zich aandient, en we moeten er nog drie? Ik dacht ze al gehoord te hebben, maar kennelijk ben ik in de war met Run-DMC of zo. Hoe dan ook, het is energiek, creatief, niet al te grofgebekt, maar het doet me ook niet al te veel. Men heeft natuurlijk weer een van de befaamde 'albums met expres geen hits' uitgekozen.
De Beastie Boys houden van een rommeltje. En dan is dit nog een album zonder andere muziekgenres. Ze vinden het niet zo erg om net niet in harmonie op de opname terecht te komen, een woordje hier en daar in te slikken of willekeurig van (muzikaal) thema te wisselen. Voldoende munitie dus om het album af te branden. Maar het werkt ook wel. Het lijkt hun strijd voor een ongeforceerd feestje. Zoals een DJ in de feesttent na 30 seconden weer een ander plaatje start, houdt het het luisteren interessant. Om aan te sluiten bij die feestsfeer, komen geregeld wat kinderlijke melodieën en muzikale referenties voorbij. Terwijl ze in hun spontaniteit ook hele geinige muzikale snippets voorbij laten komen, soms door afwisselende samples, soms door de manier waarop ze elkaar afwisselen. Daardoor zetten ze er toch een handtekening onder die niet makkelijk te vervalsen is.
Hey, de Beastie Boys staan ook in de snoblijst, wat leuk. Met een album dat ik niet ken. Is dit dan het enige album? Nee, we krijgen ook nog Licensed to Ill en Ill Communications. En dat allemaal in de laatste 100 plaatjes. Gek genoeg ontbreekt Hello Nasty, al is dat misschien omdat dat te commercieel is voor de snobs? Dit album heeft voor mij geen bekende hits, maar wel heel veel bekende samples. Uit het verleden, maar ik herken ook iets van de Chemical Brothers en die waren toch echt later. Al zou het best kunnen dat de Beastie Boys dat ook weer gesampled hebben. De lijst op wiki is zo te zien niet volledig, want ik herken toch echt 1 op 1 "Superfly" in het nummer "Egg Man" en dat wordt niet vermeld op de wiki. Dat ze dat nummer hebben gebruikt, geeft al aan dat er veel lekkere funky beatjes en baslijntjes onder de (inmiddels) bekende rapstijl van de Beastie Boys zitten. Het is op dit album ook vnl rap en afgezien van "Looking down the barrel of a gun" horen we amper tot geen gitaren. Wel dus de bekende rap, waarbij ze op elkaar lijken te reageren of elkaar aanvullen. De Staat heeft hier in NL duidelijk de mosterd gehaald bij deze plaat. Voor mij is dit dus het minst bekende album, maar wiki spreekt van de Sgt Peppers van de hip-hop. Dat zijn nogal grote woorden. Ik heb daar veel te weinig overzicht van binnen de hiphop, maar ik vond dit zeker wel vermakelijk om te luisteren. Qua rating vind ik het dan weer lastig inschatten, daarvoor zou ik eigenlijk ook de andere 2 noteringen in de lijst willen luisteren. Ik schat deze nu in op een 3,5 en ik druk op de 4 sterren.
I rly cant with the beastie boys im sorry
Way before its time but not for me
C’est parce qu’on peut pas voter zéro étoile mais sinon je l’aurais fait
Un peu déçu au début de l’album même si vers la fin ça s’améliore. J’ai trouvé l’album pas très « mature » (jsp si vous avez la vision). Mais en lisant leur page wiki j’ai quand même appris qu’ils avaient utilisé des sons enregistrés en studio pour faire leur musique donc c’est plutôt cool.
c’est vraiment pas du tout mon style genre j’en ai skip beaucoup à la moitié parce que j’en pouvais plus, je suis presque désolé mais en vrai non
Sacrée vibe mais pas trop mon style
This is an album I had the pleasure of knowing before starting this project - it's one of my wife's favorites, and it's not hard to see why. While I've always had more respect for the Beasties as people/musicians than been an active fan, this album really brings the goods. Paul's Boutique kept the party vibe from Licensed To Ill but dropped the machismo and frat-boy vibes, pushing the music deeper and funkier, with lyrics that were wackier and simultaneously said more than they bothered to try to do on the debut. The extensive sampling is done with care and with respect to the source material, truly making innovative new sounds and vibes that set the course for mash-up artists for decades to come. This work reaches all the goals that these boys set out to accomplish. A masterpiece of its genre.
License to Ill established the sound and vibe of the Beastie Boys. Paul's Boutique gave us the faintest hint of how far they were going. A tremendous album, classic.
Not bad but License to I'll is all you really need to know about the Beastie Boys.
Love the mix of media in the songs. Killer use of samples. Vocals get a little obnoxious at times but this album is a party.
Not there best but still really good
i left some listening notes for once so enjoy first song - i got fucking scared my audio wasnt working for a hot second. interesting vibe with the first song, definitely not what i associate with beastie boys so i'm already excited for this album. shoutout to all italian girls and puerto rican girls i guess second song - okay Yeah there's the beastie boys, this is fucking incredible the noises are BOMBASTIC and i love the stinky fucking bass i havent even listened to all of it and i'm already smelling a 5 LMAO THE PSYCHO SAMPLE fucking incredible. final verdict: it was indeed a 5
great album that doesn't appeal to my personal tastes so much, there are other beastie boys albums I like more than this one and I'm just not obsessed with beastie boys in general tbh
Very good record, absolutely comes off as a historical classic. I think I'd need these tracks to stick a little better in my mind for me to give this a fiver, but it's not at all far off.
New Yorks Finest Amazing production (fuck you Rick Rubin, fuck yeah Dust Brothers), Great flow. So fun from start to finish. Beastie Boys ran so so much shitty white boy rap could lazily copy. Top Tracks: Shake Your Rump Egg Man Shadrach B-Boy Bouillabaisse (all tracks)
sitting in the white house blowing ass heaters
1.5/10 The album has been worsening in my esteem since I listened to it approximately 15 hours ago. Also it contains a slur. A few nice beats here and there though. Just not my cup of tea. At all.
I enjoyed this album more than I expected, especially considering that hip-hop is not usually my genre. While I could appreciate the creativity and dense sampling throughout the record, only Shake Your Rump stood out to me. Its driving groove and bass line were easily the highlight of the album.
A fun listen … I enjoyed the sampling throughout. 3
(4/7) some of this is fun
hope you're longing for more hip hop, because we've got more of the beastie boys coming at you today. this is their second album. what haven't i said about beastie boys that i haven't said already? these guys are just objectively good. they take the big corny world of 80s hip-hop goodness, make it four times as loud, make it really silly... there's probably at least a dozen lines you'll chuckle at or memorize. i love rap music with sample usage, and i especially love rap music where at least a thousand random dusty records are just flipped and scratched and mashed and mixed together. you don't get sampling like this too much anymore. this is a really good example of classic hip-hop, there's nothing like it!
Growing pains
not for me but cool to hear how other artists were influenced in the future
No conocía a la banda, no era lo que esperaba. Me gustó:)
Liked it but was expecting to like it more, only saved one song
well it's.. interesting
Ik hoor wel dat t vet is, maar niet mijn smaak
Lowkey maximalist.
come on. top 10 album all time
The energy was great and the samples were really fun, but I sadly just wasn't that into it. Favorite Songs: Shake your Rump, Looking Down the Barrell of a Gun
The best Beatles album
Shake Your Rump and Hey Ladies have a bit of Ooomph, but overall not really something I’d listen to again.
This was good fun and some of the lyrics made me smile, but this is not a genre I get on with. I find this difficult to rate, I want to give this a 2, but I enjoyed this more than most of its type, but I wouldn't listen to this again.
Good flow, great production and samples
I feel like I'm just against consensus on Beastie Boys. Not a fan of the vocal tone nor most of the songs. Not enjoyable to me or something I really want to listen to.
I'm familiar with this album, though I have not listened to it in a long time. Thanks for making me listen to it again. It's a trip... it's got a FUNKY beat and I can bug out to it!
They have such an ear for hooks, making music with samples only. It’s often catchy and funny and energetic
These guys are just pure, unadulterated fun and goofiness, you can't help but just accept the absurdness of the lyrics; it was refreshing to not take music so seriously for once on this journey. The opportunities to just smile and laugh have been rare on this journey so far, so I gotta give it to the Beastie Boys. The album seems to get better at introducing more instrumentation as time goes on which, in turn, elevates the quality of it too. "Shake your Rump", "Johnny Ryall", "High Plains Drifter", "The Sounds of Science", "Looking Down The Barrel of a Gun" and "Shadrach" were all killer tracks. Then came the B-Boy Bouillabaisse section of the album and, admittedly, I was still super impressed by this. "Get on the Mic" was fun, The instrumentation on "A Year and A Day" was incredible, "Lay It On Me" had a juicy bassline and "A.W.O.L" use of the Chic sample into that grimey beat was great too. Despite all this praise for it, something holds me back from giving it the top grade, as something is missy that I can't quite put my finger on it.
Classic hip-hop record. Favorite track: Shake your rump other picks: hey ladies, looking down the barrel of a gun
Cool production, great samples, and a style that straddles the line of not-taking-themselves-too-seriously and dropping bombs. This album had a lot to like on it and I'd love to get more from the Boys.
Pretty fun listen, good catchy beats. I was starting to get a bit tired of it by the end, but it was still pretty good overall.
A massive improvement over Licensed to Ill soundwise, love these beats! On the other hand, nothing here is nearly as memorable as the best songs there. But I care way more about the production when it comes to late-80s hip-hop, so that's not too huge a problem, honestly.
mm un 3. No es tanto mi onda pero es un buen album
enjoyed the newschool : oldschool
music is love
I don't think I like this quite as much as Licensed to Ill or Ill Communication. However it is still diverse, catchy and very fun to listen to. Apparently the hook on Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun isn't a sample but a Beastie Boys original. This group is very good.
The Beastie Boys” style is almost charismatic - as you just want to join the party and be in with their crew. This album is just so fun to listen to and while it doesn’t have all their hits - I really like the samples and how they weave so many melodies and instruments in with their raps. It is playful and their sound instantly identifiable.
Despite being a huge hiphop fan, I've never gotten super into Beastie Boys. I know they have some classic tracks, but just hasn't hit that sweet spot for me. Looking at this track list, I didn't recognize many of the hits I'm familiar with. Just "Hey Ladies." "Shake Your Rump" is classic Beastie type flow, with trading off verses word for word. That was their schtick for sure. Love the Mayfield sample in "Egg Man." A few tracks I find mildly annoying. I think it's just their rhyme schemes, which at the point this album came out, are sounding pretty dated--just one syllable rhymes for the most part. I mean, Rakim had already complicated rap by this point, and like Chuck D says, it would never be the same again. Beastie Boys just didn't get the message. But despite this being one of my gripes with Beastie Boys in general--their lack of lyrical prowess--it didn't really bother me much in this album outside a couple of tracks. I think the problm often comes when they have very simple boom bap beats--their lyricism and flow can't really carry them through a near acapella soundscape like it could better rappers. But usually, beats are more elevated than Licenced to Ill. Tracks like What Goes Around show a funkier side to Beastie Boys than before. I love B-Boy Bouillabaisse. 4/5
Shake Your Rump Hey Ladies Shadrach B-Boy Bouillabaisse: A Year and a Day
trop bien
Classic.
Absolute masterpiece. The beats are some of the best ever, I mean my GOD "Looking Through the Barrel of a Gun" goes so fucking hard. "The B-Boy Bouillabaisse" is just showing off on all levels
Really funky and fun (and ahead of its time). The additional tracks on the deluxe edition are worth it as well
My second from the Beastie Boys- this one an earlier work. It had a lot of elements of early hip hop that worked- funky rhythms, clever lyricism, attitude. I think it established the Beastie Boys as true hip hop artists. On the otherhand, the songs fealt less varied than later albums. Still enjoyable- just a little "same-y". Overall- solid album
My unsorted thoughts across this album looked something like this: Man, that ‘Psycho’ score sample on “Egg Man” is so cool. Man, that Beatles’ “The End” sample on “The Sounds of Science” is so cool. Man, this “Hey Ladies” song has crazy sample work, and it’s somehow less misogynistic than “3-Minute Rule”. Man, that Pink Floyd’s “Time” sample on “Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun” is so cool. Man, this is fun to listen to, but I also still sometimes feel like I’m being harangued at at a party. What a shame you can’t sample like this anymore.
Good album, reminds me of my dad :)
It's a shift from their previous album, License To Ill. It's primarily rap, but this changes on other albums. It's a great album!
5: 4: Crime of the Century, Pink Flag, Arrival, 3: Darkness on the Edge of Town, Court and Spark 2: Ramones, Paul's Boutique 1: Rain Dogs
Instrumentally I think this is a step up from Licensed to Ill. But delivery and lyrically it’s very consistent and does get tiring song after song. Likes: Egg Man; Car Thief; Shadrach
For those turned off by the "yelling", what would you prefer, another bland asstastic brit pop album? The sampling/mixing on its own makes this a 5-star album, however the rhymes are where the b-boys truly shine in this sophomore offering. Although it's more unknown being surrounded by hit albums like license to Ill and hello nasty, pauls boutique is truly the best beastie boy album, and one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time
Amazing album. Desert island album for me. First 5 stars
Not my fav
For all the groundbreaking beats on this album the rapping and lyrics aren ‘t of the same stellar standard.
Buff, el album raro de los Beastie Boys. Qué joven y qué tonto era cuando me compré este disco. Oído ahora me doy cuenta de que en muchos aspectos el espíritu de "Ill communication" ya estaba aquí. Me he guardado: Eggman, Hey ladies, Looking down the barrel of a gun, Shadrach y de los B-Boy Bouillabaisse: A year and a day, Hello Brooklyn y Dropping names.
By God, the three idiots did it again. A little more frantic than their debut, but it somehow (astonishingly) works. 5/5 Highlights: - High Plains Drifter - 5-Piece Chicken Dinner - Looking Down The Barrel Of A Gun - Car Thief
Dnf not my thing
Día 4 → 15/05/2026 Álbum: Paul's Boutique Grupo: Beastie Boys Año: 1989 Canciones: 1. To All the Girls: (intro) 2. Shake Your Rump: 8/10 3. Johnny Ryall: 7/10 4. Egg Man: 6/10 5. High Plains Drifter: 6/10 6. The Sounds of Science: 5/10 7. 3-Minute Rule: 6/10 8. Hey Ladies: 5/10 9. 5-Piece Chicken Dinner: 7/10 10. Looking down the Barrel of a Gun: 6/10 11. Car Thief: 8/10 12. What Comes Around: 6/10 13. Shadrach: 6/10 14. Ask for Janive: 6/10 15. B-Boy Bouillabaisse: 6/10 16. 59 Chrystie Street: 6/10 17. Get on the Mic: 6/10 18. Stop That Train: 6/10 19. A Year and a Day: 8/10 20. Hello BrooklynDropping Names: 6/10 21. Lay It on Me: 6/10 22. Mike on the Mic: 6/10 23. A.W.O.L.: 3/10 Puntuación: 3 estrellas
A mesmerising collage of sounds that gives up something new every time
It’s all vibes, I couldn’t tell you what any of the songs are about, I even listened hard. But I think it’s just supposed to be little details and verses picked out over amazing samples?
Good hip hop album. The sampling is done really well and the wide variety of genres sampled is nice.
Brilliant
Great
Sampledelia magic
Just a good time. This boys are going places
Dinámico vibrante buen disco
Superb. Excellent samples. Proper good bass rumbling along throughout. Funky. Innovative, lyrics that jump out at you. Just great stuff from the Beastie Boys
I've tried so hard and got so far, in the end, it doesn't even matter to me. 3 stars
Not bad - more of the same from The Biys, I think.
Very creative
So much in hip-hop depends on matching the sonic environment to the lyrics. This record is a masterclass in sampling.
This was a crazy leveling up, and nearly 40 years later, it remains as vibrant as ever. There are probably hundreds of better rappers, but no one has ever had as much fun rapping as Mike D, Ad-Rock & and MCA.
I'd rate it a 6 if I could.
if i can recite an entire album from start to finish, it probably deserves a 5
Good ol' Beastie Boys. Good album.
I don't understand the love for this band. The voices are annoying. The beats wouldn't exist without those who came before them. No thank you.
Obviously a work of art and potentially even a Hip Hop masterpiece, with the most sophisticated use of sampling to exist when it came out. But too be honest I prefer other eras if the BBs. Lyrically they were still a bit immature here and I miss their live instruments on this record.
Great! Daft, funny lyrics. Bit different to my usual go to listening. Must have been an administrative nightmare getting the clearance on all the samples.
This got tiresome very fast, juvenile and repetitive. I never really got into the beastie boys, and i can see why. I get their role in rap and hip hop, and that they have some important songs, but this album just did not do it for me. standout song was B Boy: A year and a day. 2 stars
Some great sounds in here. But I just don't like they're rapping. The voices annoy me on almost all of their songs. A couple of exceptions but not on this record
For how good BB are in general, the overall album was actually pretty average. Some great songs in this, but the rest are fine at best
Not my cuppa
So this is where they got the Minecraft villager sound
I hate being white and falling into the stereotype of enjoying Beastie Boys, it’s just fun energetic hip hop with great flow and iconic beats to suit.
This is a class below their other albums on this list, HOWEVER, the Beastie Boys are just straight awesome. Great sampling, great rapping, and an amazing flow that make for an enjoyable listen.
It was really good I liked the funk style.
Not my stuff. All very similar. Some cool sampling at times, but the vocals just dont do it for me. 2.5/5
Fun stuff
no me gusta, no es mi estilo. Gritan mucho, y el beat no lo compensa. Se parece a Heros comeback lmao. Nope, ni lo terminé. I mean, entiendo el punto pero no.
Mejor que el otro que escuché. La segunda parte es bastante interesante.
The rhymes are more polished and the energy more refined. Sure the presence of Rick Rubin is missed, but these boys are still Beastie.
The Beastie Boys have such an incredibly unique sound. It’s a great mix of genres and styles.
(5/5) Arguably this is the *best* Beastie Boys album, and it is definitely my favorite. It's a dense, layered musical taco of samples. Later groups like The Avalanches may have perfected the art of sampling, but only because of this record which swung the door open and yelled "Hey Ladies"!! I don't have much to add to this, honestly, as it sits at the tip of the rap/sampling mountain as king of the hill. You either get it or you don't. I get it, and it's incredible.
While I personally prefer 90s Beasties to the 80s Boys, I recognize the musical evolution from License to Ill that would get them there. Much more mature musically (if not lyrically) than that previous endeavor, Paul's Boutique felt like they'd taken the artistic license that commercial success had given them to really stretch their legs and do something more ambitious. Something that might take a bit longer to grow on you but sinks deeper roots when it does. Its limited radio and MTV exposure at the time, combined with its eventual multi-platinum status, paint the picture of an album that does just that, and moved the needle on the genre to boot. So what if it’s my third favorite Beasties album? It’s still a 4.5/5 that I’m going to round all the way up.
Variety: 5 Adequacy: 5 Listenability: 5 Uniqueness: 5 Emotionality: 3 = 4.6 rounded up to a 5 "I'm a writer, a poet, a genius, I know it / I don't buy cheeba, I grow it" Heard this a billion times, and while it's not my favorite Beastie Boys album, it's probably their most critically acclaimed. I get it. The crazy amount of samples set a precedent, it's full of great stuff. I'll try and give it it's due, but will be saving most of my love for the next couple. THE TRACKS Side A "To All the Girls" - This short piece with a funky organ feels like waking up still under the influence of whatever you huffed last night. It's barely anything, but works as a decent intro. "Shake Your Rump" - And we're right in it with an all time banger. This one takes all their earlier more immature hits and distills them down into a very music forward presentation that has been previously lacking. Let's be honest here - none of these guys are actually good rappers. Memorable voices sure. Iconically delivered, witty lyrics, yes. Credit to them for realizing this early enough to dive deep into the soundscapes. Tempted to list all of the samples on this album, but I might be at my keyboard for a few years. Maybe I'll still give it a go... "Johnny Ryall" - The Beasties as curators ( vultures to some maybe) is apparent here even though it ONLY contains samples of 11 songs if the internets are to be believed. Slacking off already, just 3 tracks in. For shame. "Egg Man" - Curtis Mayfield and Bernard Herrmann provide the bed for this bit of nursery rhyme nonsense. Something the Beasties easily get away with. I don't need to look for any deep meaning hear because there is none. And that's fine. "High Plains Drifter" - The Eagles (!) are here to deliver the menacing driving pulse of this catchy as number ( they all are really though) and the vibes are way more John Carpenter than Don Henley. This could easily score a music video if Snake Plissken's exploits. "The Sounds of Science" - Just a sample smoothie of pure joy here. The Beatles, James Brown, and Isaac all join hands to lift this bit of ear candy up. "3-Minute Rule" - This one sees the guys doing a bit of a rewind and going more old school than anything else on here. Samples to are kept to a minimum, and we get what feels like a leftover track from License to Ill, but performed slow motion in cloud of green smoke. "Hey Ladies" - If the last track was a call back to the old sound, this one takes that old sound and expounds upon it and opens it up. Just as juvenile as their old stuff, but much easier to swallow as the veneer of whether or not they are serious has been completely waxed away. We're in on the jokes now and they land a lot more solidly this go around. Side B "5-Piece Chicken Dinner" An interlude, but worth mentioning since it could be our first hint of Country Mike? "Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun" A preview of what we'll get on Check Your Head coming up. This is also of a piece with Sabotage, and leans hard into the rock elements with out sacrificing any of the funky atmosphere. "Car Thief" - If "3-Minute Rule" was a nod to the recent past, and "Hey Ladies" an improvement on the formula with one foot in both eras, then this track is them in the process of fully stepping into the future and shaking the old sound off. Everytime it starts to feel old hat, there's a sample, a vocal hook or some other bit of business that slaps the taste of License to Ill out of your mouth and shakes you into the present ( of 1989). "What Comes Around" - Short on the samples once again, but damn... what choices. And perfectly integrated. I read the Dust Brothers are in part responsible for a lot of the crate digging here. Bravo, gentlemen. "Shadrach" - Hands down my favorite track on the album. It's got everything. It's funky. It's soulful. It's got energy for days. It's got the guys at their most cohesive as a vocal unit. Loaded with hooks. We get both a Mad Magazine call out and a "Funky Drummer" beat drop. What more could you ask for? "B-Boy Bouillabaisse" - This one is the Beastie's version of the medleys on Abbey Road. These are all pretty fun, but not sure any of them deserve to be called out individually. Personally would much rather have all this stuff at the end than spread throughout as an endless stream of interludes interrupting the flow of the album, so wise choice here. Favorites include "Stop That Train", "Hello Brooklyn", "Dropping Names", "Lay It On Me". HIGHLIGHTS - "Shake Your Rump" - "Egg Man" - "High Plains Drifter" - "The Sounds of Science" - "Hey Ladies" - "Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun" - "What Comes Around" - "Shadrach" - "B-Boy Bouillabaisse" MIDLIGHTS - "Johnny Ryall" - "3-Minute Rule" - "Car Thief" LOWLIGHTS - FINAL THOUGHTS Even the middle of the road tracks here are only that by comparison with the highest of the highs. There's not a lick of this one I'd change I think, even if I prefer to listen to the core group of (mostly) unimpeachable 4 albums altogether as one giant playlist. The party atmosphere is still here, but it's light years more evolved musically than anything they had previously done. And the crazy part is this would have been nigh impossible just a few years later once companies started realizing how much money was to be made off samples from their catalogs. This one gets in just under the line. A line which I think it may have been responsible for. Surely these people saw what was going on here and took note. The influence of this thing can't be overstated. Without this, it's very hard to imagine the chain that gets us to Odelay, Since I Left You, Endtroducing... and onto Speakerboxxx/ the Love Below and into anything by Girl Talk and mashup culture in general. An all time classic, and glad I got to listen to it isolated from the other stuff. Maybe my opinions will change and we'll see some shuffling around. PLAYLIST ALTERATIONS - None. Perfect as is. FURTHER LISTENING - It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back by Public Enemy - Done by the Forces of Nature By Jungle Brothers - Check Your Head by Beastie Boys - 3 Feet High and Rising by De La Soul - Odelay by Beck - Stereo Type A by Cibo Matto - Endtroducing.....by DJ Shadow - Since I Left You by The Avalanches - Night Ripper by Girl Talk
I’ve heard it before. Of course, I’d heard it before. I grew up in the 80s, was a teenager in 90s. The Beastie Boys were an institution during the 1990s. Their music, the political activity, headlining Lollapalooza all of it is because they knocked it out of the park on their sophomore album. It’s no easy feat to replicate success when your first album is one of the first rap albums to top the charts. But these three goofballs did it. With The Dust Brothers producing, along with their library of music samples, the Beastie Boys turned in a lyrically dense wonder performance. This is a “Wall of Words” and yes some of them are juvenile. I was young once when the world was young so I remember being a teenager. This album is for teenagers and those that remember being teenagers. Let’s remember being young. Everything is tight. These guys are finishing each other’s lines. The energy and chemistry just pop! The samples just keep coming! Rap truly is a young man’s game. The Beastie Boys would go on to be less juvenile, grow, mature. As must we all. But every now again we can return to a street corner we once knew and just crack wise about the locals and the girls. Hey ladies!
Liked it
classic
didn't win me over
An achievement, and one that would cement the Beastie Boys as more than just a gag.
Paul's Boutique was named after a fictitious downtown thrift store, which was the perfect symbol for what the group was doing musically and stylistically. It was cobbled together from over a hundred different samples, which was absolutely unheard of at the time
eh
The Beasties are top 5 all-time hip hop group (w/ NWA, WuTang, Public Enemy, and fight over the 5 spot). This is their . . . influential album? The fancy one with the samples? I don't know. Not my favorite, not the breakthrough, and not the one with all the hits.
A far cry better than License To Ill (in my opinion), but not quite at their peek yet. For me, I'd take any of their next 3 albums over this one. 3 1/2 stars
Its the Beast - ie - Boys! I can't complain!
Best Song: Hey Ladies There's no better Beastie Boys than License to Ill is not true!!!! 5/5!
I've tried many times, I really can't get into Beastie Boys. I am aware this is a titanic amount of work in sampling, overdubs, mixing, etc. I don't want to diminish that - but to my personal ears, I can't give it more than 2/5.
The tracks are good but I just didn't like the vocals at all. They're still and the lyrics are submediocre
not my style, but me gusta la portada
I understand how this was a radical sound at the time but hip hop has been so fleshed out in the interim that most of the songs sound fairly rudimentary now. Some gems of course, but I was sick of it by the end
I like the Beastie Boys, but this album feels a bit too niche.
I can appreciate the lyrics and samples but I just don’t vibe with most of their sound… just not my style.
Not sure how their sound evolved drastically enough between albums to warrant multiple appearances on this list, but still a lot of fun.
Very funky.
All of the Beastie Boys albums are awesome, and this one holds a special place for me. I had the cassette which was red like a 70s tape.
Shake Your Rump
very fun but would love it to be less repetitive, and i especially liked the b-boy bouillabaisse songs
very repetitive and these guys are not good
I’ve tried to get into hip hop through this challenge, and while there are plenty of albums here that should do it, I still find it a genre I struggle to fully connect with. This is my second album by Beastie Boys, and Paul’s Boutique is undeniably impressive from a musical point of view. The production is superb, the sampling is incredibly creative, and the use of jazz and layered sounds is genuinely brilliant. You can hear just how influential this album has been. Where I struggle is with the vocals and lyrics. They feel quite dated, and at times it makes the album a tougher listen than it should be, especially given how strong the music is underneath. It also lacks some of the big, immediate tracks that made Licensed to Ill so easy to enjoy, although there are still standout moments. Favourite tracks: The Sound of Science, a great example of how strong the production is Least favourite tracks: To All the Girls doesn’t work for me, and it would have been a stronger start if it opened with Shake Your Rump Album artwork: Cool cover, simple but effective
I get it. This is the OG Kanye. Crazy production, even if the lyrics are irrelevant. I don't like it but I respect it. Can't give it a 2 in good conscience, so 3 it is! - First Beastie Boys, no idea what to expect. - Wack intro, lets see... - Wait it's rap? - Is this a joke? This is garbage - Okay it's stabilizing but the lyrics still suck - The less produced songs really show off the weakness of the lyricism... Those are easy skips
Fuld energi
Strong 3,5
I was not in the mood to listen to the Beastie Boys this morning, but the beats are so infectious that I was bopping along almost immediately. This album is a little inconsistent, though. There are some standout tracks and really awesome use of samples, but some other songs that drag. Overall, I prefer Ill Communication. Also, there’s a lot of casual misogyny and homophobia because it was the 80’s, but the fact that they apologized and more importantly changed their behavior makes a huge difference.
yea no
“Humpty Dumpty was a big fat egg” is a bar I’ve quoted for years because it’s just so fucking silly god I love this album, can take or leave the Bouillabaisse though
Well that's a lot of fun
Fuck yeah this album is so much fun
Good album from some of the all time goats! 7.6/10
God, I'm glad that's over. I'm sorry but Ad-Rock (I think?)'s voice is SO annoying. Looking Down the Barrell of a Gun not bad tho.
apologies for the sentimentality, but aren't Beastie Boys albums all about the beauty of having friends? about concocting a shared language - what makes you laugh, what sounds tough, what you value about each other - and then finding a way to make that language universal? well, yes, they are. they're about inventing a way of looking at the world with your boys, and believing in it so wholeheartedly you have to show the rest of us what it's all about. it's mostly because of that premise that i just love Paul's Boutique. it's also because of the samples, and the jokes, the endless quotable bars, but it's primarily about spinning all those things into a dizzy collection of alternate-universe hip-hop tropes that have a lot to do with hitting people with eggs and Bob Dylan, sold so confidently they just make sense. it's so beautifully, immediately fully-formed, it's like a magic trick. at 14 or so, when i discovered this album, it was mostly just great fun - now, there's a diamond-cut wackadoo clarity to the whole project that makes me genuinely very emotional. there's a reason my two best friends and i went as these guys for Halloween one year - they were a unit on an aspirational level, so tight, so eloquent, so funny and so sure. i'm thrilled to return to this record and find it completely singular and wonderful, its reverence for hip-hop tradition coupled with its dedication to rulebreaking in perfect balance. love these guys so much. off to eat some eggs for lunch
Ah, the Beastie Boys. I remember when they crawled out of the gutter and onto my radio with Fight For Your Right in 1986-1987. That song was huge, and they became huge. What many didn’t know, including one 13-year-old kid in Kentucky, was that the Beastie Boys were essentially a satirical group making fun of the frat boy idiots they were portraying. Once the group kind of found out people weren’t laughing at them, but with them, they toned down their obnoxious, sexist, offensive ways. By the time the Beastie Boys needed to record their follow-up album to the hugely popular and million-selling Licensed To Ill, they wanted to make a more serious album with better beats and more mature lyrical content. They weren’t happy being the frat brothers' favorite rappers, though, Licensed To Ill still garnered respect in the hip-hop community at the time. The Beasties’ split with Rick Rubin and went with the Dust Brothers as producers and created one of the greatest hip-hop albums ever. Arguably, my favorite hip-hop album as I’ve heard it 100 times. Though I’ll admit, I didn’t get into this album until way after it came out. As a commercial product, Paul’s Boutique was a failure, but in the hip-hop community, it’s legendary. Chuck D, of Public Enemy, was quoted as saying that a dirty secret in the black hip-hop community was that Paul’s Boutique had the best beats. Track 1 is essentially an interstitial, lead-in; it’s nothing really. Track 2 is Shake Your Rump, and already you can tell the beats are 1,000 times better than Licensed to Ill. Also, this album uses maybe the most samples of any album to build beats. While the Boys sound the same, the lyrics are less about college life and more mature, if a song about shaking your butt is mature. Plus, unlike a lot of songs on Licensed To Ill, you can dance to this jam. Great way to open the album. Track 3 is Johnny Ryall, and again, the samples used to create the music are perfect. At the time this record came out, what the Dust Brothers were doing with sampling took it to a whole new level. In hip-hop around that time, DJs would take maybe a record or two to build a music bed to rap over, but the Dust Brothers would use a dozen samples to create the music for the Beastie Boys. While this was more sophisticated and a new way to make music, once it caught on, that’s when the artists and music companies decided it needed some money for all these samples. Track 4 is Egg Man and it’s just a fun song. “The egg, a symbol of life I go inside your house and bust out your wife I pulled out the jammy, he thought it was a joke The trigger, I pulled - his face, the yolk Reached in his pocket, took all his cash Left my man standing with the egg mustache Suckers, they come a dime a dozen "When I say dozen, you know what I'm talkin' about, boy" The main groove of the song is Curtis Mayfield’s bassline from Superfly, amongst about 10 other songs, including a sample from the theme from Jaws and Psycho. Track 5 is High Plains Drifter, maybe my favorite on the album, and the main groove of it is a sample from the Eagles Those Shoes. The song centers on an outlaw on the run from the law. It seems to be set in the present day, but it has a lot of references to the Old West. This song really features the incredible interplay between the three Beasties. They had a style all their own. As hip-hop grew and entered the 2000s, I can see how younger hip-hop fans thought their rhyming was simple compared to what Jay-Z or Eminem was doing, but it was still complicated and fun. Track 6 is The Sounds of Science, and it is full of Beatles samples, including Back in the U.S.S.R., Sgt. Peppers’ Lonely Club Hearts Band, When I’m 64 and the End. There’s no way a producer would think of using a Beatles song in hip-hop these days. It really was the Old West in hip-hop back then. Track 8 is Hey Ladies, which was the first of two singles off the album and likely the only song you have maybe heard from this album. This album uses samples the right way. They aren’t always the groove from the most well-known songs, they’re bits and pieces from songs that aren’t on the tip of your ear. So, in turn, when the beats are used to make a song, it sounds like they were made for the Beasties' song. Did I explain that right? For example, Hey Ladies is built off about 20 samples, it seems, but I can’t really place any of them, or the pieces sampled aren’t the hook of the sampled song. So, the music for Hey Ladies seems like it’s just the music for Hey Ladies. This song rules. Track 10 is Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun, and it's essentially the Beastie Boys gangsta rap song. “I'm rolling down the hill, snowballing, getting bigger An explosion in the chamber, the hammer from the trigger I seen him get stabbed, I watched the blood spill out He had more cuts than my man Chuck Chillout 24 is my age, and 22 is my gauge I'm writing rhymes on a page, I'm going off in a rage Because I'm out on a mission, a stolen car mission Had a small problem with the transmission.” This song is heavy, like rock and roll heavy. The music is based in part on Mountain’s Mississippi Queen. There is also a chime in there from Pink Floyd’s Time. I can’t imagine anyone in Pink Floyd would like to know that some of their music is in a rap song. , Then there’s a bass solo in the middle, which is likely one of the Beastie Boys playing. Before becoming rappers, the Beastie Boys were a punk band. In later albums they would play a few songs of original music performed by the group, like Sabotage and Gratitude. Gratitude is a banger. Track 11, Car Thief, is another funky, but rock-sounding song. I don’t really remember this song as much as others, but it's really good. I love it. The samples are woven together so well. Again, there’s a fuzzy bass solo popping up now and again. Good jam. Track 13 is Shadrach, and it was the second and last single from the album. It seems once Capitol Records saw they didn’t have Licensed To Ill Part 2, they kind of gave up on the album. Just another example of how business people don’t know art. If it doesn’t make money, it’s obviously not worth focusing on. Paul’s Boutique would later become one of the greatest hip-hop records ever. But the album didn’t sell well either, so it also proved that a lot of Beastie Boys fans might have been just dumb frat boys. And most frat boys don’t know anything about art. I digress. This song is just fun. Perhaps my favorite sample on the whole album is one from Black Oak Arkansas’ Hot and Nasty. Now that’s a song that will curl your hair. “I once was lost, but now I'm found The music washes over, and you're one with the sound Well, who shall inherit the earth? The meek shall And yo, I think I'm starting to peak now, Al And the man upstairs, well, I hope that he cares If I had a penny for my thoughts, I'd be a millionaire We're just three MCs, and we're on the go Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego” Holy crap! I was just told by my good friends at Wikipedia that most of these songs were recorded in a dude’s living room. I can’t say anything more about this album other than listen to it. Even non-hip-hop fans will enjoy this, I believe. I wasn’t really into hip-hop when I first listened to Paul’s Boutique, but I loved it. I still wasn’t a huge hip-hop fan after that, but I was excited to get a new Beastie Boys album every chance I had. This is for sure a must-listen album, not just because it’s got great songs, but it also inspired a lot of what hip-hop became musically.
Ladies and gentlemen, here to lay down some old, old, incredibly old school beats: The Beastie Boys! Leela: Impressive. They're busting mad rhymes with an 80% success rate. Bender: I believe that qualifies as ill. At least from a technical standpoint.
Hip hop is my least favorite genre covered in this list, and the Beastie Boys in particular grate with their whiny delivery. But if "License to Ill" was the poster child of all that is irritating about the band and genre, Paul's Boutique does represent something of a redemption. While it can be overlong and samey, the collection of creative samples and turns of lyrical phrase make it a massive advance and fun exploratory experience in moments.
Meh.
Ziemlich anstrengend
Really important hip hope record. It’s the Dust Brother’s work that really sets it apart but the Beastie Boys add a lot of fun to it. Rating: 4.0
Beastie Boys have always been wack to me 🤷♂️
Always wondered about this album. Turns out... it's rap. On the plus side, there's a lot of creative sampling, the sound is really crisp, and the Boys clearly had fun making it. On the minus side, it's skin-deep rap: guys yelling about stuff that doesn't matter.
Great album through and through.
I've never really understood Beastie Boys. They are a fun party album for college, but don't seem to be particularly good or innovative
I hadn't listened to this as a full album in quite some time, but this is an absolute gem of a record and a landmark in hip-hop history for very good reason. The Dust Brothers created an incredible tapestry of sampling here that redefined the way beats could be constructed (like who thinks to 1) request sampling rights to "When I'm 64" and 2) slow it down to make an almost vaudeville rap song?) Dancey party moments (Shadrach is my favorite in this vein), slower moments that just go hard (High Plains Drifter), just a sonic collage of epic proportions. I love this album.
This is a fun introduction to the Beastie Boys. The refrains in ‘Johnny Ryall’ and ‘Egg Man’ are quite silly and I guess encapsulates the humour the band brought forth. Brimming with the 80’s era NYC Rating: 3.8/5 GEMV (22.04.2026)
This was pretty fun. I liked how it came across as a couple friends getting together in the studio and just having fun times
like "ill communication" the best part of this album is the samples.
I always forget how much I love the beastie boys which is really strange because typically this sorta thing wouldn't be my vibe but there's an energy they bring which I love. The sounds of science I loved but largely due to the Beatles samples.
Unique work of genius. 5/5
not again….
surprisingly good for hip hop made by white guys ! reminds me of public enemy the way they play off each other.
This was a really good one that I will definitely come back to. It's a high four stars for me, and one I could see hitting five with more repeat listens. The beats and production are incredible, and the Beasties' rhymes are as fun as they always are.
Oh, I feel like I have to apologize, but this is a 5. I love this album. The boys at their best. 4 for the album itself and 1 for pure nostalgia. And isn’t that part of the power of music?
This album just isn't for me. I'm not a big fan of the Beastie Boys but understand their appeal. 2/5 purely on my own enjoyment and is not an objective reflection of the music.
Beastie Boys are a slow burner for me. Production and samples are top notch, but vocal delivery is still a bit questionable at times for me (verging on annoying). But this was a second listen to Paul's Boutique, and I'm coming to appreciate the brilliance.
Goofy ass guys….. idk if i love it or hate it….
Super influencial masterpiece
Bit too aggressive where it felt like shouting without much real music accompanying it
Ahhh to be by the water in New York jamming to this album. I can see how their call-and-response influenced hip hop and artists like Eminem
I truly and honestly do not think this is the Beastie Boys best album, I think Ill Communication is better, but the one thing this album does have, is the best samples. The production is INSANE. lol at people thinking they just shout.
3 white dudes from NYC created one of the first experimental hip hop albums, sampling from all over the place to create the songs. It never hit the level of [[License To Ill]] but as time has gone on, this album keeps getting better.
Usually really like Beastie Boys but this album overall was a bit too much for me. I'm aware that's a stupid criticism but each to their own. Still enjoyed it tho. Shake Your Rump was my fav song and first listen. Johnny Ryall and Looking Down The Barrel Of A Gun were my other highlights
Have I listened to this album before? No How familiar am I with this album? I know a couple songs How do I feel about this artist? I’ve been wanting to listen to more Beastie Boys lately Favorite song(s)? Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun, High Plain Drifter Overall Thoughts: I love fun, energetic music like this. I don’t care if they’re shouting at me I like it. Apparently this is the style of hip-hop that I like because I also like Run-DMC. The various samples were super fun.
Amazing, start to finish, all killer no filler. And so many samples, but it doesn’t feel like too much. Well done, boys!
Somehow, despite years of listening to the Beastie Boys, I have never listened to this album. While I would not call it their best, it was definitely important in their quest for hip hop domination. Their unique stylings and group dynamic are all present here with fun beats and humorous lyrics. They truly were a unique group. We miss you MCA!
This is so much fun. I don't understand the hate the Beastie Boys get sometimes. It isn't complex or anything, but it is so fun. It knows what it is and it is so fun and not serious! "5-Piece Chicken Dinner" is so funny Liked Songs: "Shake Your Rump" , "Egg Man" , "High Plains Drifter" , "Hey Ladies" , "5-Piece Chicken Dinner" , "Looking Down The Barrel Of A Gun" , "Car Thief" , "Shadrach" , "Get On The Mic" , "A Year And A Day" , "Hello Brooklyn"
great beats but i didn't like the vocal delivery
This album changed my opinion on the Beastie Boys… I thought they were an angry NSYNC, when they are actually funky-but-ignorant Rage Against the Machine. I much prefer the latter. The run of songs Car Thief/What Comes Around/Shadrach singlehandedly bumped this from 3 to 4
While some of their more popular songs show an immature quality the Beastie Boys Albums rarely disappoint and this one is a classic. While not the pure intelligent rhyming of a Public Enemy, Tupac or Ice Cube they have an energetic quality that makes music fun. This one is a 5 if ever there was one for fun white boy rap but in the history of music I couldn't justify a 5.
Excellent
This was a Beastie Boys album that flew under my radar when it came out. I owned Licensed to Ill and loved it but didn’t really know about this album until almost ten years after it came out. It could well be their best album.
Genuinely fun and endearing album the entire way through, alongside some of the hardest hitting beats of the era
It's decent
I really enjoyed this album from start to finish. I much preferred this one to 'Ill Communication' if I'm being totally honest, even though the songs seemed slightly less experimental. To me, this seemed like a very strong album, where they knew what sound they wanted and executed it very well. The album starts with such an upbeat feel, giving you expectations for the rest of the tracks, which don't fall flat at all. I usually dislike albums with too many tracks; I think around 12 is perfect for an album, but with the length of these songs being slightly shorter, even with a 23-track album, the length is perfect. I enjoy the addition of '5-Piece Chicken Dinner' thrown in the mix; it feels really random and shows their humour incorporated into their music. Favourites (in order): Egg Man Johnny Ryall B-Boy Bouillabaisse: Dropping Names 3-Minute Rule High Plains Drifter
couldnt finish. Beatles sample carried
Somehow, this created Eminem
Not a fan of this. Just felt like a lot of shouting.
some silly fun, i fucked with Looking Down The Barrel Of A Gun heavy. unfortunately though it does all start to sound like they're just going absolutely wild at a drunk karaoke session
TS SLAPS banger after banger i literally never hated a song or felt like it didn't contribute to the album Idk how high I want to set the bar for what is a 5/5 but this might be it. Giving it another listen tomorrow it's tomorrow now, ts slaps so hard. giving it a 5
Everyone loves them, so it feels like I should too. But tbh, while there's a few bangers, their vocals and writing seem terrible to me.
Gnowwatamsayingd
Excellent
Loooove it
Kinda fun but it gets samey and repetitive.
I like the Beastie Boys but this is not their best album
Lin Manuel Miranda listened to this album and then wrote Hamilton. This fact is not real but they sound like Hamilton. Anyways it’s really fun and silly little album
"The best in men's clothing Call Paul's Boutique, ask for Janice The number is 718-498-1043 That's Paul's Boutique, and they're in Brooklyn"
I can acknowledge that hip hop was not the best in the 80s, and by all accounts this is likely a good showing for the style of the time. I can also acknowledge this group's effective music knowledge in their sample. That being said, it just doesn't resonate for me. The lyrics fall flat. It's def a fun album but if I'm looking for pre-90s rap, this one wouldn't be one I'd come back to. There's talent there though Highlights: Looking Down The Barrel Of A Gun, Shadrach
fine. full album is a bit much.
Taxi driver, I'm the eggman.
A lot of fun I'm going to listen to this one again for sure
One of my favorites
Not a fan of “To all the Girls” it’s okay but it’s got weird low vibes and it’s lowkey creepy… Shake your rump is an insanely different vibe, def like this one more but I couldn’t see myself listening to it unprompted. Johnny royal is pretty good Overall I think the beastie boys are a little to rap-y for me
not really my favourite or most familiar genre. Some songs were very catchy, but i need to listen to them more to really understand the idea
i hated every second of it
Now that is some original stuff right there. Such a refreshing contrast compared to the Eminem crap of the previous release this list served up for me. This is a pretty good unicorn chaser to follow that.
Dude fuck that album. That shit sucked.
I have a lot of respect and love for Beastie Boys. I've listened to them a ton at my teens, and it's always a blast to hear them again. Very cool, very innovative, and still feels fresh - even after all those years.
It ain't no sin to recognize the originality and fun of the Beastie Boys while entertaining the thought that this album might just be kind of annoying.
Though it does start to sound repetitive after a little while, this is undeniably great. Intense and full of energy, you can't help but get caught up in how excited they were to be doing what they're doing. Once again, wish I could have been into this at the time. But they still sound like obnoxious pricks on this album. 3.51 stars.
I have zero memory of this album coming out, probably because their label opted to promote Donny Osmond's new record instead. Back in those days I would've been dubious anyway, because I hated License to Ill. It'd be years before I heard all of Paul's Boutique, but I quickly understood how great it was. The production and craftsmanship with its myriad samples is pretty mind-blowing, and it's home to a handful of Beasties greats.
Every time I listen to a Beastie Boys album I think that I should really listen to them more often. This isn't my favorite of there's but damn it's good.
Such a fun listening experience, it's sample overload! So many layers to the production, and it's quite experimental mixed with their raw and fun energy. Best song: Egg Man Worst song (excluding interludes): 3-Minute Rule Cover check: Looks like a messy store you can find anything in, just like the music
Beastie Boys ei lase mööda. Siit on tulnud nii palju inspiratsiooni muule hip-hopile ja tüübid oskasid teha lugusid nii, et lihtsalt tekib vaib koguaeg kaasa õõtsuda. 4.1/5
First time listening to this group who I think are like a hip hop NSYNC. I can see that was the concern of others at that time. I do get how influential they were and how many people grew up with this band in their background, and while I quite liked the Beck style production and energy, I found it too repetitive and ultimately not for me.
Mi primer encuentro con el género. Nunca me había sentado a escuchar un álbum entero de hip hip, te diría que nunca había prestado atención a una canción siquiera. Me gusta su complejidad pero también esa cosa repetitiva. Me interesa buscar sus sonidos más que la totalidad de la canción.
It’s great, but strangely one of my least favorite Beastie records.
“Shake Your Rump” and “Hey Ladies” are both classic songs on this second album by Beastie Boys. “Where It’s At” by Beck reminds me of “Hey Ladies” with how the samples are set up.
I honestly don't mind the shouting, I just don't really find myself listening to much hip-hop.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Det är funkigt, svängigt och propfyllt med attityd och feta samplingar. Det blir varierat med inslag från rock, funk och disco. Vissa tycker att de har en skrikig leverans men för mig är det en BB signatur. Detta är ett röjig album som håller jämn nivå genom hela albumet så det blir en femma. Bäst är Shake your rump, Johnnu Ryall, Egg man, High plan drifter, The sound of science, Hey ladies, Looking down the berral of a gun och B-boy medley.
Man, I love me some Beastie Boys. I have owned several BBs albums and am not above quoting some of their songs. That being said, I don’t know that I’d ever heard this album. It has that iconic Beastie Boys sound and I’d probably listen to it again. But I don’t think it’s as strong as some other albums by them. I believe this was more about the influence the album had and about the evolution of a specific sound. Album 36, April 3, 2026
Dober
Я бы с радостью послушал инструментальную версию альбома, ибо семплирование здесь на каком-то запредельном уровне.
Probably objectively good, but in all honesty, not my type of music.
Ehkä 2/5
29 - The Beastie Boys - Pauls Boutique - Rating = 5 I would give this album a 10 if I could. It’s one of the top 50 albums of my life. From the opening To All the Girls into the biggest groove banger in the Beastie Boys catalog, “Shake Your Rump”… I mean The Sounds of Science, Johnny Ryall, Hey Ladies, Shadrach… This album was goofy, fresh and new with the level of sampling at play here. This is a seminal album of my life. Thank God for the Beastie Boys and their craziness and intelligence and attitude. Got arrested at the Mardi Gras for jumpin’ on a float. Such a great record.
I stopped this for 3 months instead of listening to this. I liked the samples because I didn’t have to listen to the rest for a couple of seconds.
I loved this as a teenager. Even now it’s an absolute delight to listen to, the writing is incredibly tight and you can get lost in the Dust Brothers’ immaculate collage of samples
Hip-hop, sampledelia.
Good.
NOT MY STUFF AT ALL
Un album muy divertido y placentero de escuchar
Pretty fun listen
Never been a fan
Decent enough for this kind of thing feels a bit dated these days, but quite enjoyed
Strong Siund
I already knew the beastie boys, but much like the wu tang clan I never got around to listening to a full album. To all the girls almost felt out of character, but it was a beautiful intro to the rest of the album. Johnny Ryall was catchy and felt timeless! the entire album would sound good both for day to day life and for a movie. High plains drifter got annoying after the first minute lol I couldn't keep listening, same with the sounds of science and it's too bad cause at minute two it gets good. Overall the highs of this album are HIGH, and the lows are LOWS. The lyrics aren't meant to be taken seriously so it's a fun album to dance to and sing along without thinking too much. What the fuck is the TWELVE. MINUTES. SONG. oh my god
So good.
Le Rap des Prénoms du Palmashow, en anglais et sans les blagues sur les prénoms.
Very annoying, but at least they're having a good time being annoying. Funky beats, terrible white guy rapping (with clever rhymes)
I did not expect the Beastie Boys to make this type of music. I am unfamiliar with their game.
Dejligt
Fart på "Shake Your Rump" med nærmest acapella, der møder det mest standard Garage Band pre-set beat ;P "Johnny Ryall" er desværre lidt for suttet - kunne fan'ne være noget vi lavede nede i ungdomsklubben i mellemtrinnet på Egeskovskolen i Bjerringbro :i "High Plains Drifter" er et pinagtigt nummer fra start til slut. Måtte skippe halvvejs inde >:( "The Sounds Of Science" er også meget frustrerende indtil del 2, hvor det bare svinger! Hvad skal den del 1 til for :U "B-Boy Bouillabaisse"-sektionen skal lige fucke af - ulideligt lort
Det er ikke lige sådan rigtig min genre, men jeg kan sagtens sætte mig ind i at hvorfor dette album for mange er top.
*68 Ikke helt på niveau med Ill Communication, men stadig en solid slasker. Hvis The Sound of Science er the sound of science, så kan jeg ikke lide the sound of science :/
Jeg bliver aldrig Beastie Boys fan. Jeg kan på den ene side ret god lide aggressiviteten i det, men det rammer på samme tide bare aldrig helt plet for mig.
beastie boys har altid været sick men silly 3.2
Pas trop aimé. Un effet patchwork mal maîtrisé je trouve et ils crient tout le temps c’est fatiguant.
rap, fun
I really like the use of sampling and production technique, but the voices of the rappers (too much shouting, whiny) reduces its appeal considerably.
Что-ж, ещё один альбом Beastie Boys в рамках челленджа "1001 альбом". Я скоро буду бить музыкальных журналистов комично огромным молотом, за их способность нарекать каждый десятый коллектив "вторыми" Битлз, или, как в случае с "Paul's Boutique" нарекать альбом "Сержантом Пеппером от мира хип-хопа" ... Господи, иисусе... Впрочем, это не вина коллектива, но для вступления решил все же об этом сказать. Альбом достаточно неплохой, хотя Ill Communication показался мне более оригинальной, интересной и состоятельной работой. В этом же случае, достаточно интересный прецедент, который позволил парням использовать семплы многих легендарных записей почти за бесценок. В частности, как раз таки, семпл из Sgt. Pepper по крайней мере в одной песне. Уважаемые музыкальные журналисты, ЕСЛИ В АЛЬБОМЕ ИСПОЛЬЗУЕТСЯ СЕМПЛ ИЗ СЕРЖАНТА, ЭТО НЕ ЗНАЧИТ ЧТО АЛЬБОМ СРАЗУ ЖЕ ОТ ЭТОГО СТАНОВИТСЯ "СЕРЖНАТОМ ОТ МИРА %жанр_нейм%" Спасибо! А так, нормально. 4 из 5.
Hell yeah.
The samples alone
samplemania!
a perfect album!
Not my favourite style, but I enjoyed the hip hop vibes for a few songs
Aside from the weird opening track (which feels a bit problematic to modern ears), this is a banger of a record. Favourite tracks: Shake Your Rump, Johnny Ryall, High Plains Drifter, the Sounds Of Science, Car Thief.
Easy win for the B-boys!
Thoughts before listening: The Beastie Boys album that gets all the praise, not my favorite of theirs. I mean it's great and I'll give it 5-stars, but for me personally they took the blueprint they created with this album and perfected it on Check Your Head and Ill Communication. Very happy to have a reason to pull out my vinyl copy today. Review: Yeah I mean this album was extremely influential in its usage of sampling which is why it always gets tagged as the Beastie Boys' "best". I don't dispute the importance of the album, but for me personally its not as strong as the next 2. Still though there is a lot to love here. This is catchy, funky hip hop with funny lyrics and recognizable samples. The fact that they helped invent rap rock on Licensed to Ill and then revolutionized sampling on Paul's Boutique shouldn't be overlooked. Lots of iconic songs on this one as well: "Shake Your Rump", "Johnny Ryall", "Egg Man", "High Plains Drifter", "The Sounds of Science", "Hey Ladies", "Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun", and "Shadrach" all rank among their best. If there is some criticism to be had, I do feel that they lose the plot a bit on side 2, especially with all of the "B-Boy Bouillabaisse" songs that feel like unnecessary filler, but this is still very much a 5-star album.
Sadly not one for me
It's such a musical leap forward from Licensed To Ill that it is kind of unbelievable. So much more colourful, varied and clever. Excellent.
Very Good.
I didn't particularly like or positively review Licence To Ill, so here's Beastie Boys second album for me to worry over. It's an improvement. Theres a higher production value, it's cleverly packed with a range of interesting and wide ranging samples, from The Beatles to Johnny Cash. Due to this, Shake Your Rump and Egg Man are favourites of mine - I'm loving the Jaws section at the end. However, while I appreciate the album's sense of humour, there's not too much development from the frat boy rapping of Licence to Ill. As good as Egg Man sounds, it's still just a track about throwing eggs at people. There is more meaningful work at other points, like The Sounds Of Science and parts of the Bouillabaise are interesting, but I'm still not seeing what the fuss was all about with the Beastie Boys. A middling 3 stars.
STOP YELLLING!
I prefer later albums, but still good.
Fun, with playful rhymes and ridiculous beats (but I'm glad I wasn't a woman around them back then)
An absolute stone cold classic album
Kind of interesting to think about these guys' place in rap history. In the same era of rap as Run-D.M.C., Public Enemy, and Eric B. & Rakim, you have four white guys sampling The Beatles. I still prefer all 3 of the former, but it's not a super distant 4th place. What these guys have over all 3 of them is how dang creative they are with the beats. Nobody else was making 12 minutes worth of throwing random records on a turntable and making it work in one song in 1989. I feel like they were going for recognizability in the sample choices over anything else, but that could very well be because they're white and their record collection reflects that so it's all they had. I loved the samples in Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun, it was Rage Against the Machine-like for when it came out. The lyrics in basically all of the songs weren't really much to write home about, but I liked the three guys passing the bars around a lot.
Peak from start to finish, and I found myself bopping my head to the songs quite a bit throughout. The beats and the lyrics are just absolutely splendid. Can't go wrong with some boys from the city!
:)
Had the pre conceived notion that The Beastie Boys were mostly corny white boys... I was wrong, this shit slaps