Reviews (page 14 of 15)
8/10. Classic. Not the best rhymes but excellent vibes. Excellent energy and attitude. Rick Rubin really did his thing on production. Lots of nostalgia since I grew up listening to this album
Thought it was ok, unique sounding, haven't rly heard anything like it, especially within hip-hop. definitely worth a relisten
has No Sleep till Brooklyn and Brass Monkey i knew what to expect and that's what it was
Ill communication>licensed to ill> pauls boutique>intergalactic fight me.
the opening track Rhymin & Stealin was great, though a lot of that probably had to do with the samples used (a drum beat and a guitar riff from Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath respectively) Rhymin & Stealin is going in my playlist and No Sleep Till Brooklyn was alright I guess but everything else was kind of ass. Since rap isn't music according to facts and logic (http://www.ethanhein.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Ben-Shapiro-rap-isnt-music-1024x498.png) they had to borrow a lot of it from elsewhere I guess
Thanks I hate it.
did not like at all
I'm not huge on "all lyrics have to be yelled"
Some cool samples but too many plodding songs and their rap shouting doesn't work for me on it's own.
Didn't listen to it but vaguely remember it
classic
Disco de rap que fluiu bem pela presença das guitarras.
4.5 Love it.
Bästa albumet nånsin!
This is what you love to see, just guys being lads
Bästa skivan någonsin?
Beastie Boys are iconic for a period in which rap slowly became popular in a broader public. Their controversial crossover with punk was new and exciting, and the lyrics were ballsy. They inspired many artists, but for me I can't help but feel like this was just a joke that got out of hand. That doesn't mean I don't enjoy the joke. I like hearing the album, but next day I've forgotten all about it again.
licensed to ill. silly. shouty. girls. porno mag. whiny. know some tracks. can see how as a debut it was different and interesting. feels like anyone can make music. fun though.
The hits are good, but the rest is very repetitive filler.
Third Beastie Boys in under three weeks. Middle of them, between Paul’s Boutique and Ill Communication
Their worst album…even they would tell you so! 👎🏻
Ya know I got rhymes like Abe Vigoda.”
Some bangers. Also a few stinkers 3/5
The genius of the lyrics from the boys and the genius of Rick Rubin’s producing combined to create the perfect storm of Licensed to Ill. When I first heard Fight For Your Right as a kid I thought they were a parody band, out to create music for the laughs, not to be taken seriously, like Weird Al. Now that I’m older and have gotten into them more, I can say with certainty, they are completely serious. Serious about making a mockery of rap and embedding parody into a real and, might I add, truly banger album. And it fucking works. Their parody was so serious their work has helped shape the genre of rap and hip-hop as we know it, and is one of the greatest rap albums of history. Their annoying voices are just part of the fun, and it’s something that would generally hurt any other band, while helping add to the icon-status of the boys. It deserves to be played at full volume and annoy all the neighbors, as they would want. My favorites: Rhymin and Stealin, Girls, Fight for Your Right, She’s Crafty, The New Style, Brass Monkey,
Obnoxious
Meh, definitely not my favorite.
At the time, fans liked it for all the wrong reasons. I disliked it for the same wrong reasons. Well played, Beasties.
This was so much of my high school days.
Yes yes y'all! All timer...
Takes me back to high school
Solid album
A really solid album. I forgot how much I liked these songs as a kid.
I love me some Beastie Boys I'm honestly pretty sick of Fight For Your Right at this point, but its still a fun song. There's a guest guitar solo from Slayer's Kerry King, some sampling of Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin, amongst others. What's not to like? I was going to give this a 4 because I think they got better after this, but just thinking about how much enjoyment I get out of this album and their career as a whole I'm bumping it to a 5. That funky monkey! RIP MCA
3/13, 23%
Licensed To Ill is poor until Fight For Your Right, then you get a couple of monster hits and the back half hit hard. Does it deserve a 3/5 on that basis? Yeah, probably.
45 minutes of the Beastie Boys is just too much. All the songs sound way too many similar, the slow rapping passed back and forth with the extended notes at at the end of every few lines gets grating after a while. This album takes a while to get going as well, not a great first few tracks, but then a couple of their best songs about halfway through. This gets a 3, relatively high 3 because it's got a couple of their best songs on it but it's really hard work to get through a whole one.
I like beastie boys but I'm not sure about this one chief it feels like a classic beastie boys album but smth dosent set with me and the girls track certainly didn't help
Classic Hip Hop
It was alright, some bangers, didn't feel like finishing
Funky beats and questionable lyrics
Not my favorite Beastie album but iconic non the less. I love the Beastie Boys but this isnt a 5. Everything past this album for them is.
Liking the flow n beats of the boys. Started off strongly, lost my interest after the big hits.
Of course, Paul’s Boutique, Check Your Head, Ill Communication are better rap albums, but this album is still as entertaining as it was in the 80s, with over-the-top lyrics and rap/rock songs that are heavily influenced by Run DMC (which I hope are included in the list as well). Favourite song that even made the Dutch Top 40 at the time: No Sleep Till Brooklyn, a nice Motorhead reference and a Kerry King guitar solo (still expecting a Slayer album from the generator as well..). On a side note: Beasties Boys Book is one of the best books ever on the history of a band.
Boats N Hoes wouldn’t be out of place on this. I can’t decide if that’s a good thing or a bad thing
The New Style: interesting beat breaks, very 80s hip hop. “Let me clear my throught” sample She’s Crafty: strong drum intro. Slow Ride: samples the George Lopez theme song. cowbell, woodblock, Congo Girls: very playful xylophone & kick/snare pattern. “Doing laundry & dishes” lol Fight for your Right: classic!
One of my all time favs although nostalgia certainly plays a huge part in that. Love all the samples and am constantly realizing more and more samples as I learn new music. One of the best debut albums of all time.
it was good
What a blast. So ahead of it’s time. Even if the rhymes are simple, the production just sounds completely unique.
J'ai mieux aimé Paul's boutique, mais je commence à vraiment embarquer dans Beastie Boys. Définitivement l'un des sons hip-hop les plus unique et intéressant. L'inclusion de beaucoup de sample rock est vraiment cool.
This is a very in your face album… Their whole sound is shown off in the opener rhyming and stealing it’s a very loud track that shows the listener exactly what they’re about. The new style has a really great start that bounces off perfectly from the first track and the breaks with the samples work well too. The first two songs lacked quite a bit direction though but song 3 she’s crafty is a banger a perfect blend of rap and rock styles. Posse in effect gives the vocals a slight echo and lots of random songs electronic noises that create quite a good song but not a favourite. Slow ride contains horns and tribal sounding drumming which I definitely remember from the one listen I had before hand the verses are just a bit meh though. Girls has a really playful rhythm it’s a really different song to the rest of the album lots of fun. Fight for your right is an attack on frat boy culture in the US but while I like the song I don’t necessarily think this attack seems genuine coming from such an in your face group but still good. No sleep till Brooklyn is definitely one of the rockiest songs on the album it’s a killer track love those fuzzy guitars. I love the chopping sample mixed with the shaking maraca noises in Paul Revere very good track. Hold it now, hit it isn’t a song I like all too much it reminds me too much of the directionless in your face attitude of the first few songs. I really don’t like brass monkey it’s just so in your face, the chorus is shit and the beat is rather boring in comparison to the rest of the album. I mean slow and low is in your face but it’s quite a good track I don’t why though. The album closes with time to get Ill it’s a good song but I don’t get why this closes the album off. Yeah it’s good just in your face.
lame
вертушечки, йоу классный альбом, классно погуляла по райончику, почувствовав себя крутым чилипиздриком you gotta fight for your right to party
не смогу написать лучше, чем сашун голикова
Out of the first five Beastie albums, this has to be the one I like the least, but I like it very much nonetheless. This one sets the table for what was to come so yeah it's a bit primitive compared to the incredible talent they would display in the next few albums, but it's still really fun and it's definitely one album everybody should hear once in their lives.
No sleep 'till I listen to some Beastie Boys!
I though I didnt like Beastie Boys, but I was surprise at how I knew every song and was happy to hear them. Wish I saw those guys in show.
An album that became an instant classic. I can't say that I'm deeply attached to it, but I like it, always fun to listen to.
Immature album that was the springboard to a wonderful career
Slick!
Fucking loved it.
Ноу слип ту
There is not an album that represents my youth more than this one. This came out when I was in middle school, and was on repeat for a very long time. This was the first album where I really started getting into music, and not just listening to what my parents had on the radio. It was, and still is, a perfect listening experience for me.
Kind of annoying
Overall 2/10
I was surprised by how many songs I liked.
Cool, damn cool and straight forward, great flow and some of the sickest beata i've listened in a while
8/10. Good album for the Beastie Boys
Similar to the Pavement album earlier insofar as I feel like a college kid in the 90s listening to this. Except where Pavement was like drinking a beer on a Sunday this is like pregaming a shitty frat party. 7/10
Very shouty
The Beastie Boys debut album is packed full of testosterone and misogynistic lyrics. Listening through the album I can’t shake this image of a 24 year old frat bro chuggin beer along to the beats. Yes I understand this was a very influential album (one of the first white rap albums with mainstream success) influencing countless future musicians but lyrics like: “Your mom threw away your best porno mag” and “Girls, two at a time” make my eyes roll. Pretty sure they bring up White Castle so often that I had to see if there was a reason for it but I guess they really just like White Castle. I did enjoy “Paul Revere” and to the albums credit the beats and samples are very catchy. But besides that I guess it’s not my type of music I guess… 2.5/5
It’s fantastic and I’ve heard it on vinyl (still have an original pressing), tape, CD, and then into high resolution digital audio. It’s garish and fantastic.
Classic album still referenced today. Some of the samples are really crazy. Rhymes are a little elementary but still fun.
Meer punk dan dit wordt hip hop niet
I think I don't get it? Maybe it was groundbreaking in 1986 but it sounds super cheesy now. They mention Whitecastle like 4 times. And the one vocalist does this falling whole tone at the end of half his sentences that's pretty grating. A couple fun tunes, interesting ideas, not the execution I'm looking for.
Another tough one to rate. While this album doesn't hit the creative highs of later albums or show off the ambition the band is capable of, it is one of their most consistent albums.
Some killer beats, but the vocals never really land for me. Standout - minimalist beat on Paul Revere
I recognize more of the samples now than I did in 1986. Reminds me of picnics at the Jersey Shore.
Seventeen year old me would waste no time enthusiastically rating this a 5. Fifty-two year old me thinks 17-year old me is an idiot. This album just doesn't hold up at all, and gets incredibly annoying after only a few songs. I'm almost embarrassed by how much I once loved this. But, as Red from The Shawhank Redemption might say, I was a young, stupid kid. I wanna talk to him. I wanna try to talk some sense to him. Tell him the way things are. But I can't. That kid's long gone and this old man is all that's left. I gotta live with that. I'll split the difference, since I enjoy the other Beastie Boys albums on this list, and for the 17-year old kid stuck in Hicksville, USA who wore out the cassette of this album from playing and rewinding "No Sleep Til Brooklyn" ad nauseum. That cassette wasn't meant to last, but it turns out the Beastie Boys were.
Not as good as ill communication
3.6 - Solid, if a bit sophomoric album - but that just makes it all the more fun. Great mix of rock and rap. Girls, Fight for Your Right, Brass Monkey, etc.
I am most I'll and I'm rhyming and stealing. Nostalgia at its finest
Yeah this is some OG white boy rap. Some good fun on this album.
your mom threw away your best porno mag! some songs were hits, and some were misses. but their creativity shines through with their raps and guitar riffs. the sampling throughout the album! the iconic "fight for your right"! it's a fun listen and i always enjoy fighting the man. it's evident the beastie boys had fun creating this album because the excitement is infectious. how else do you explain "no sleep till brooklyn"? 3.5 but rounding up to 4.
I love what the Beastie Boys brought to the music scene; they are undeniably among the select few pioneers of the rap rock style in the late 80s and early 90s. It's impressive how solid they sound on this debut album -- it's like they had already been doing this for decades. That is only further exemplified by the fact that several of their biggest hits come off of this debut album. One of the amusing things about Beastie Boys has always been their ability not to take themselves too seriously. Half the time, it feels like they are joking around with each other and being stupid, and they're letting you in on the joke. I will say that objectively, this album does sound pretty dated by rap rock standards. But you know what? It's still just so old school cool. It was fun to listen for the various samplings throughout this album -- my favorite among them being Led Zeppelin's When the Levee Breaks and CCR's Down on the Corner.
Had some fun tracks, and had some innovative (for the time) sound, but Beastie Boys are more annoying than good for most of the songs
This album is cool, but far from the best Beastie Boys album.
The Beasties album that started it all. Still some great tracks on the album, a few that feel outdated topically like Brass Monkey and Girls. Still a good album overall.
What a fun group. I really enjoy Beastie Boys and how they've managed to meld the worlds of hip-hop and rock. They sample all of my favourite classic rock riffs from Zeppelin, Floyd, Stones etc., which automatically peaks my interest. Specifically on this release, Beastie Boys come out in 1986 and establish themselves as something very new and creative. The start of a fresh sound & era. I can't praise these guys enough for their production and sampling; it's especially impressive for a debut LP. Anytime I need to hype myself up for something, Beastie Boys are one of the bands that immediately come to mind. Tracks are always so full of energy. They lose one star, but only because I know that there are albums released by the Beastie Boys after Licensed To Ill that get exponentially better. Fave tracks: Rhymin and Stealin, No Sleep Til Brooklyn, Time To Get Ill
Hell yea, this album just drips coolness. This thing is so jam-packed with references, samples, nods and easter eggs to music history, especially rock history, that I'm still hearing new things after dozens of listens. The constant record scratching and old school hip-hop flow do certainly date this album to a specific era. And the strained singing from the boys don't make it always palatable to the ear. Despite these shortcomings, the soul, energy and respect for musical history definitely make this album one that everybody must listen to, preferably many many times. Fav Tracks: Rhyming & Stealing, Fight For Your Right, No Sleep Til Brooklyn, Brass Monkey
My last several albums have been a sampler of beautiful music from different times and places. I guess that streak is coming to a spectacular halt with License to Ill. This debut album starts out very strong with Rhymin' & Stealin which is catchy and creative and infused with the sense of humor this project has taught me to expect from Beastie Boys. This is not my music, though of course I'm familiar with the hits, which by itself speaks to the monster success of this album. To my relatively virgin ears this whole thing is very 80's but also fun, funny, listenable, smart, energetic and I appreciate the clean production allowing me to hear and understand all of the lyrics. In a nutshell: a cultural quilt of genius samples gleefully stitched together loudly with clever rhymes.
Got better as it went. Sounded like a bunch of young lads just having fun. Contains some monotony. But pretty damned good at it's high points. Conor - 3 Bill - 2 Shannah - 3 (2.7/5)
Album essentiel à connaître, super important dans l’histoire du Hip-hop, mais pas mon meilleur du groupe. Ces petits punks ont vu un nouveau courant arriver et ont décidé d’y plonger. C’était nouveau, tout était possible. Leur humour juvénile est là, leur façon de rapper à trois très typique est là et les beats de Rick Rubin avec sa boîte à rythme amènent une sonorité caractéristique qui restera attachée au Hip-hop Old School. C’est probablement le premier album Hip-hop qui a enclenché l’émergence du style vers la masse, grâce à Fight For Your Right.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFfrUmq2lww
classic album IMO
2/5 naaaah
Iconic East Coast rap album with some absolute classics. A couple of weak points though, which docks them a star or two. They still have more influence, relevance and authenticity in the tips of their little fingers than Kanye and his ilk ...
The Beastie Frat Boys.
brat rap
shouting with cool beats
Two hits here. That’s all there is. There is nothing else to discover the rest is pretty poor. Cover art. Love it. 5/5
At the time my daughter loved it and I hated it..that still stands but I’ll give it a 4 because a lot of people appreciated it…just not my style
3/5
Stellenweise unerträglich. Ganz schlecht gealtert, auch die Singles.
I have to admit; I didn't pay too much attention to this album when it came out. Sure, I kind of liked "Fight For Your Right" but thought it gimmicky and didn't go any deeper than that into this album. That was a song that was played in between timeouts at a basketball game. And then "Paul's Boutique" and "Check Your Head" came out and I thought a little bit differently of these guys. This is the debut from the Beastie Boys and was produced by Rick Rubin. It's funny; this is the first time I've listen to this album. Yet, I've heard all of these songs a lot. A lot. Gimmicky? Yes. Silly lyrics? Yes. Tongue-in- cheek? Yes. Misogynistic lyrics? Well, yes at times. Great sampling? Yes! Great production? Yes. Do these songs rock? Absolutely, most of them. The sampling and production are outstanding. In "Brass Monkey, " they took a sample of a small part in the intro of Wild Sugar's "Bring It Here" and focused a whole song around it (and apparently a dance). "Paul Revere" was inspired by a weird meeting with a Run DMC member who later helped write the song. Also, an innovative use of a drumbeat played in reverse. Great sampling of Led Zeppelin in "Rhymin & Stealin," "She's Crafty" and "Time to Get It." Also, I counted no less than four songs where White Castle is mentioned. This album is fun, is innovative, and was an album I did miss in 1986. Although, I'm not sure without the hindsight, I would have thought any differently at the time than it's a gimmick.
Muy bueno
The pinnacle of stupid fun. I have so much love for this album at multiple stages in my life. I want an “infinity stars” button.
Ok, I think that's the last of the Beastie Boys for me on this list and that's 3 for 3 (boom, tish!). Faves: Fight For Your Right, No Sleep Till Brooklyn
Have loved this album since my bus driver played it on cassette in 4th grade
The album is a bit dated now, compared to their later stuff. But NO SLEEP TILL BROOKLYN will always get me cranked up and in a good mood. The band has disowned "Girls" which was pretty big of them. Hard to believe they went from being so sophomoric to what they became. I don't listen to this one a lot, but when I do it's put very L-O-U-D.
It's been awhile since I listened to the Beastie Boys but when I re-reviewed the track listing I thought, this is going to be good but juvenile. It is better than that. Sure, She's Crafty, Girls, and Brass Monkey are more fun than they are profound but there are some incredible tracks too. Rhymin & Stealin and No Sleep Til Brooklyn just have to be turned up to 11. The beats and energy are awesome and the lyrics have just enough depth to them. Fight for Your Right is similar - sometimes I'm torn on this one (overplayed) but it is just as big a stick it to the man 80's anthem as We're Not Gonna Take It. Did not realize they used to be a punk band before this. Definitely appreciate the extra bit of rock to their rap - love that tracks 1 and 3 sample the last tracks on Zeppelin IV and Houses of the Holy (and awesome real guitar work from Slayer on tracks 7 and 8). Pioneers, and a very good debut album.
Fun, classic album. I know the hits, but I'm not sure I ever listened to the entire album. The Run-DMC influence is very clear, and not just because of Paul Revere (co-written with them) or Slow and Low (Run-DMC cover). The combination of hard rock and rap is what makes the album. Run-DMC was also doing this at the same time, which could lead to questions of cultural appropriation, but it sounds like Run-DMC had mutual respect for the Beasties and they toured together, not to mention Rick Rubin was producing and co-writing for both acts. It's a great album, but I'm giving it a 4 rather than a 5 mainly for many moments of cheesiness and some homophobia and misogyny. Favorite tracks: Rhymin' and Stealin' (love the combination of When the Levee Breaks and Black Sabbath's Sweet Leaf), Fight for Your Right (classic - funny to read that it was meant to parody party songs and became the ultimate part song), No Sleep Till Brooklyn (cool track + Kerry King from Slayer), Paul Revere (love the backwards groove), and Slow and Low.
Can't believe it's been 10 years since we lost MCA. This album was a favorite at sleepovers with my best friend in high school. Groundbreaking talent. Every so often, my husband's favorite radio station will play Brass Monkey. As soon as it's over, I keep going "Let it flow. Let yourself go. Slow and low. That is the tempo." I just can't help it.
Funny and enjoyable. Clever lyrics. Generally upbeat.
Brooklyn frat boy rap at its best!
Every time I hear this album it takes me back to grade 10, Environmental science class and a guy who brought his brother's tape in and would sing along to it. Never heard anything like it before, left a huge impression on me. And so many classic tracks on this.
☠️☠️
The best rap album of all time. Enough said
The episode of Futurama with the Beastie Boys is very good, I'm a big fan. That's the only thing involving them that's inspired anything other than a sense of "oh, this again?"
80s rap fused with distorted guitars that share resemblance with Run D.M.C. Lyrical focus on partying and getting shit faced which is fine, but not very interesting (and I am probably just a grumpy old man but doesn't make me laugh either). Also sounds very dated. Overall, rather duddy album for me.
Bom.
What kind of elder millennial would I be if I didn’t like this album?! I knew several songs already.
Genre: East Coast Hip Hop 4/5 Throughout the early history of hip hop, there were certainly hip-hop collectives who may have been more technically talented than the Beastie Boys, but what they may lack in technical side of things, their attitudes, their contagious energy, and their willingness to change the form propelled them to the top. Their unique blend of punk, rap, and b-boy spirit made Licensed to Ill the first ever #1 rap LP in the history of music. Did them being white help their case here? Well, certainly! But is this album also filled to the brim with absolute classics? Indeed. From start to finish, Licensed to Ill is a hoot and a holler. From the initial blast of Rhymin' & Stealin', a hilarious knockoff of "more violent" hip hop equipped with a group chant of "Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves", we're taken on a hip-hop journey that may seem unfamiliar and strange at first, but continues to reward you as you listen. The mega hits Fight for Your Right and No Sleep Till Brooklyn are both tremendous crossovers that helped establish their "New Style" in a big way, but with cuts like She's Crafty, Girls, and Brass Monkey, we're continuously reminded of their unique sense of humor, and constantly engaged throughout the project. I forgot how good this album was. It's one to spin on any occasion, any day, as long as you feel like having a good time.
I’m getting too old for this.
Classic
Snotty dickheads grab hip-hop and stuff it in the locker. Though some of the rhymes may sound dated now and would even be disowned by the boys we should never forget - this was meant to be satirical. It still sounds fucking great. Best Tracks: The New Style; Fight For Your Right; Hold It, Now Hit It
A bit corny at times, but fine.
Classic and ground breaking. Good music to boot. I've listened to this often since high school. Never gets old.
One of the worst things I have ever heard
Great samples, beats, bars, and bangers. Could not ask for more out of an album
No sleep til….
Thanks, I needed that
These days I'm not the type who would be labelled "woke" and I expect I was less politically correct in 1986. Still, I would not have floated the original album title. I don't get it. Stories like this dilute whatever positive impressions I had for these guys and I didn't have that many positive ones to start with.
Wow, certified Diamond in the US! I despised the hit when it came out - I've never liked songs about partying. I prefer their later albums where the production was more creative and the shouting was less in your face. I'm not a fan of throwing in heavy metal guitars to attract the white suburban crowd. The lyrics are chuckle-worthy. They had 4 years between this and their next LP and it was worth the wait.
This was quite an audacious debut by a bunch of Jewish kids from NYC who loved hip hop and rock. Brash and obnoxious lyrics delivered with an "in yo face" style. Sampling Black Sabbath and Led Zep on She's Crafty and When the Levee Breaks no doubt adds to their street cred. Eminem said this album changed Hip Hop and who am I to disagree.
I definitely prefer their later stuff more, and haven't previously given this album too many listens. There's a fair amount of cringe, but also a lot of fun, and I didn't find it too grating. If they took themselves more seriously it would be a much tougher listen. Fave track - "Fight For Your Right" is an awesome collaborative karaoke tune - gets the whole room shouting along! "Rhymin & Stealin" was great fun - probably my new fave that I haven't heard a million times before...
Solid plata. Fullt þarna sem ég var búinn að gleyma.
Geggjuð
iconic
One of my all time favorites, just so good.
3, some real jammers
Not the beastie boys’ best, but still a good listen 7/10
I know fight for your right to party is supposed to be a parody but it plays it completely straight and the rest of the album is the same. Only She's crafty stops this being a 1. Just don't really get the Beastie Boys they seem to be 100% focused on the frat bro audience
Alguma músicas mais legais que outras. Ouviria vez ou outra.
Omd school hip-hop
nikad nisan ovoliko rap rocka slušala odjednom pa mi sve više zvuči ko samo vikanje u ritmu kako album dolazi kraju
You can tell they were having fun making this because the feeling rubs off on you.
YOOOOO
First half of the album were songs unknown to me and they were ok. The second half had some jams.
Least fav beastie boys record. Kinda childish.
When repetition becomes iconic. They all sound the same. They all sound like the Beasties.
Ttt
loved it, Slow ride - amazing
this shit whack as fuck
Wow, this is so absolutely horrible. Some of the instrumentation and samples seem like they could be nice, if they weren't the background for some of the most annoying rap I've ever heard.
Super fun album. Best Beastie Boys i've heard.
ça a mal vieilli, c'est immature as fuck, mais tellement fun Prefs: Rhymin' and Stealin', The New Style, She's Crafty, Slow Ride, Fight For You Right, No Sleep 'Till Brooklyn, Paul Revere, Brass Monkey, Time To Get Ill Moins pref: Girls
Iconic unique sound. Really picks up in the middle.
This is a fun album; lots of classic Beastie songs, lots of lyrics about being a stupid kid. Some good grade school nostalgia from listening to this.
Pretty decent album. Some songs were great but some were sort of a slog. I liked it more than I thought I did, but I like their later stuff that has more going on instrumentally.
Such a fun record. It's impossible not to get pumped by their signature sassy yelling, and the lyrics are just the right amount of stupid and tongue-in-cheek. Has that nostalgic 80's hip hop flair and some pretty iconic sampling. Just a great mix of rock and rap that doesn't take itself too seriously.
I do prefer the later Beasties, but there’s a definite charm to Rick Rubin’s early production, and how flagrant the use of samples were. Imagine a rap album putting this much Zeppelin on today! So much has been said about the Beasties and this LP, and I can’t ignore the faults and the context. But it’s a classic for a reason, and a perfect album to blast in the middle of a traffic jam. B
While influential, I don't think is this the best Beastie Boys' album. But there are definitely a lot of timeless songs that are on this record.
There’ll never be another like this (or Paul’s Boutique) for a long-ass time given the unique nature of sampling at the time, and that alone provides limitless intrigue for me. The samples are all over the place and though often primitive, exude the kind of creativity only ignorance can inspire. Despite the optics (you’ve seen that track suit promo photo), LTI sounds less like hip-hop cosplay and more like an early hip-hop laboratory. And even though it’s experimental by nature, these dudes really knocked it out of the park with a handful timeless classics (as well as a few duds). It’s lightning in a bottle marred by growing up dumb white kids. So yeah, it’s really fun to hear a buncha punks rifle through funk and classic rock’s greats, chopping em up with an 808, and finding mainstream success in an emerging genre with some of the weirdest (and yeah, poorly-aged) rhymes. As dated as this feels at times, the entire Beasties blueprint is right here. It just takes a little growing up before they perfect their craft. 3.5/5
Nicht ganz so gut gealtert. Hat aber immer noch ziemlich gute Beats und die Stimmen sind auch noch cool. Außerdem ein paar richtig gute Tracks. Würde am liebsten 3.7 oder sowas geben, runde aber auf.
Very fun album. Insane number of hits. Hard to believe it came out in the mid-80s.
The solid force of metal. The raw energy of punk. The fiery vigor of hard rock. And the angsty fuel of hip-hop. All combined in one punch.
kinda era defining - rapping is a bit dated but still love the rubin production
super solid quintessential 90s hip hop.
oooooo nice. impressive debut album
Great album, really didn't realise that Rick Rubin had produced this and the inclusion of Slayers Guitarist on "No Sleep To Brooklyn" is evidence of the broad nature of Ricks influence across music generally (Not forgetting his brilliant work with Johnny Cash of course) Amazing that these three white boys got the Hip-Hop Kudos they did but you have to love their mix of hip-hop humour and rock. As They say You Gotta "Fight For the Right" to Party! Well worth the listing in my opinion
This is the Beasties at their rawest and rudest. The contrast between this, their worst record, and Paul's Boutique, their next and best offering, is staggering. Still a lot of fun. Best track: Brass Monkey
Músicas para quebrar tudo!
Amazing debut album from Beastie Boys. Not my favorite from them, but I can't deny that this one is a classic and a must-listen. I love the samples used on this record, specially the "Low Rider" one used in Slow Ride (fun as hell). Favorite tracks: * Rhymin & Stealin * Fight For Your Right * No Sleep Till Brooklyn
Punk rock, metal hip hop! I love this album. Lyrics are fun and tell a story. Love the Beasties. 5
I don’t like…..
The best
only a complete douchebag would listen to this on a daily basis. some songs are fun, though.
Wtf were Run DMC doing in 84 if the Beastie Boys could release something of this incredible calibre only 2 years later. What an album.
I can't take the Beastie Boys seriously anymore. Andy Samberg/Lonely Island has retroactively ruined them.
The polar opposite of my thing. I don't mind the bit where it goes 'No sleep till. *guitars* Brooklyn' but the rest is a big no.
Love a bit of the Beastie Boys, but I'll admit by the end I'd heard enough.
You gotta fight! For your right! To put out a medium to good aaaaaalbum!
Irreverent, funny and the beginning of what would become a brilliant career. 4 stars
p546, 1986. 3.5 stars, not strong enough for 4. Wasn't expecting to like this as much as I did. Rap meets heavy rock riffs, bass and guitar. THE sound of twenty year old American white boys in the mid 80s, taking the piss of out everyone and themselves. Having said that... points deducted for Girls, which is just cheese - compare that with the next track, which is Fight For Your Right - and it is all a bit shouty and "samey".
Like beastie songs way more than albums
Nice album avec devrai clasque. J’ai irn aimeet ca a beaucoup de punch. 4.85
Most of the songs on here are obviously good to great, but the Beastie Boys style gets grating for me at album length.
What an album!
more like 3.8
awesome
Lögin sem ég þekkti ekki bættu litlu við þau sem ég þekkti vel, en ágæt hlustun svona oftast.
Legal. Divertido.
Not a huge fan of this
It sounds suuuuuper dated, and looking back this is probably by far the Beastie Boys weakest album both for the frat boy lyrics and the dodgy musicianship. having said that, Fight for your right and No sleep til Brooklyn are bangers
It's easier to enjoy the Beastie Boys when all they're fighting for is the simple right to party, rather than for Tibetan freedom. Whilst the latter may be a worthy objective, the former is much more achievable. In fact, they nailed it here, on their debut LP. It may not be very sophisticated, but this is a big, fun, bombastic party in album form. 3.5/5.
Super fun, always a pleasure to bop to.
I don't know why this album was included over other Beastie Boys albums. Not their best in my opinion.
It hurts to give this 4 stars instead of 5 but I've got to be consistent and this thing is hella dated. Don't get me wrong, I love it. It's jam after jam and it's a hell of a lot of fun. But... well, "Girls" exists.
lyrically interesting, with a good flow its odd you dont hear them much anymore
This was a pretty fun album. The use of samples was interesting and I generally enjoy the Beastie Boys’ style of hip hop. The only downside to this album was some of the lyrics that felt like forced rhymes and the delivery itself which is dated.
Yep, a classic!
They evolved more after this, got more aware, but this album remains a classic.
Ah, the comedy/bro-hip hop genre hits my inbox, and I don't mind it to be honest (love a bit of Pharcyde). It was different for the time & catchy, but let's not forget the band wanted the album to be called "Don't Be a Faggot"
Some of their later stuff is a bit more interesting to me, but this album, not so much. I get the schtick: party boys gone wild and all that, kind of mocking themselves, or whatnot. I found it either innocuous or boring most of the way through. Maybe if I had listened to them when this debuted, which was during my early college years (heaviest partying time of my life), I'd enjoy the nostalgia, but I missed them when they first emerged -- only song I ever heard back then was Fight For Your Right To Party, and that annoyed me back then -- so there's not the same connection I might have with other music of the mid-80s.
I listened to some of this album. It was identifiably the Beatie Boys but I’m not sure I’d need to listen to anymore because it starts to sound the same. 2*
Very similar to Run DMC. Some good songs and it's nice to have something different but gets very samey.
Great album. 4/5. Standouts: No Sleep till Brooklyn, Fight For Your Right, Brass Monkey, Girls, Rhymin & Stealin', Hold it Now, Hit it, She's Crafty, Paul Revere.
Solid
Classic
Have genuinely never listened to this record. So, here we go... Man, that drum sound is H-U-G-E! Guitar tone is pretty killer too. I love how the Beastie Boys (and rap from this era, in general) always seems like such a team effort. Especially with the Beastie Boys. They always know when to underscore a punch line by screaming the lyric in unison. All that said, I just don't really care. I wasn't there and I feel like you had to be there. Or, at least, you really aren't in a position to "get there" when you're a 39-year-old dude from Grosse Pointe.
I love this album. I didn't even realize how much I loved it until I listened to it top to bottom (which I'm not sure I've ever actually done in a single sitting before). It's early hip-hop that's done well. The sampling, scratching, and "hyping" at its finest. But the Beastie Boys are also punk rock. They rap AND play instruments. They're angry and anti-establishment. It's also crazy to think that this was their debut album. It has so many classics on it. Well done, boys.
"Frat boy" is an over used and (probably) unfair pejorative often used to describe early Beastie Boys. Nonetheless: I still think, many years on, that this album cleaves closer to the philosophy of performed hip hop than to the organic spirit of the genre. I guess someone coming in cold to their oeuvre (unlikely, but bear with me) today might find some retro appeal to production techniques etc, but not much else. Or maybe I'm wrong.
not the vibe
More musical than I expected.. Just too US shout.
So good. Total perfection!
Fun! Not really my kinda music, don't get most of the references and don't gel with this style of hip hop, but I appreciate that there are some true classics/bangers in this album. Not a huge fan of the shouty-ness of it all. With the exception of one or two songs (fight for your right, hold it now hit it), I probably won't listen to it again but that's got more to do with my personal preference. Can see why this is on the list given it's "cultural" significance and pioneering style.
Rulez
Beastie boys are like a cooler micheal scott got drunk and decided to rap Best song: no sleep till brooklyn Worst song: brass monkey ffs Honorable mention : low and slow
Loved it! Exactly what you expect but great nonetheless.
An all time classic. Some of it has aged badly and been disowned by the Beastie Boys, but it's almost all classics. Girls is terrible (though I did find it funny when I was 12) but every track after that could be a single. And most of the tracks before it. It gets 4 stars - only because Paul's Boutique, Ill Communication and Hello Nasty are all better albums by the same band. If it were any other group, it'd be 5! You know what, it is a 5 I'm supposed to be objective, aren't I.
Meh. I don't "get" Beastie Boys. I did listen and it was slightly better than expected. But ultimately it comes off sounding like a parody record not unlike weird AL Yankovic. 2.5 🌟
I give this a 1.5. I know this is a classic in the rap genre, but I just don't like it. I'm marking it with 2 stars instead of 1 because it's not *that* bad, but it's just not for me.
I have mixed feelings about Beastie Boys, because I find them both enjoyable and annoying at the same time. What I enjoy the most is the production value. The vocals can sometimes get irritating, but it's part of what separates them from the rest. The combination of energetic vocals, rock samples, and punk ethos all blend together in a perfect way that only the Beastie Boys could accomplish. Strangely, I found myself enjoying the deep cuts more than the hit singles. Not sure if that's due to hearing them so much, but they are some of the weaker tracks for me. Overall, it's mostly enjoyable, but a little goes a long way.
Classic rap album
One of their favorite albums for me. This is another that I don't think I'd listened to all the way through, but the whole thing is pretty great. Solid 4 stars.
Run DMC hires the singer from RATM
I love the Beastie Boys but this is not the album I most frequently turn to. The rock sample / rap innovation is brought to brilliant effect on No Sleep Til Brooklyn, Rhymin’ and Stealin’ and She’s Crafty and there’s plenty of fun wordplay throughout, but the frat boy side of their personality is played out over a whole album’s worth and the Beasties don’t hit their artistic stride until Paul’s Boutique onwards. Nevertheless, a pivotal and critical album in rap history.
Can see why this is on the list due to its impact and influence, but not for me, think it sounds really dated now. Not an album I’d choose to listen to again.
ill🤒est
I still struggle with this one. If this is the “proper” Beastie Boys, then I am obviously not the fan I thought I was.
Still wouldn't say I am a BB convert, my natural aversion to hip hop prevents me, but I enjoyed this FAR more than I thought I was going to. Can see how it has been so influential.
A genuine classic. The Beastie Boys have and always will hold a special place in my heart.
The whole album is kind of corny. There's a real proto-rap feel to it that I don't like. Compared to more contemporary music, it has a stale, repetitive sound. Words words words words words WORDS WORDS for each bar.
4/5. Didn't enjoy and couldn't find replayability in 2 songs, but all of the rest is really good .
Very samey sound to all of the songs. Some diddly lyrics. Good in small doses.
More tolerable than Ill Communication. I could understand them better and the vibe wasn't too bad.
Really?
Great album. Slow ride, fight for your right, no sleep till Brooklyn. Ahead of it's time.
Hot beats and casual misogyny. It's enjoyable but there is definite cringe
Very good
The word that came to mind as I listened to this album was "juvenile". Which, yes, is an oversimplification; but the mental image I was left with was of a group of kids who broke into a studio at night and made it to the recording booth—which they never expected to pull off, and thus didn't have a plan when they actually made it that far. Maybe this would have landed if I'd heard it when I was 14 or so, but that only furthers my point. Now, some people will be quick to point out that the tone was intended to be farcical or done as parody; but comedy as an art form can be hit-and-miss, and it ages very quickly—parody doubly so. In the end, any brilliance in the mashup of genres or talent in sampling is vastly overshadowed by unimpressive-at-best lyrics that grow grating through the constant shouting.
loved their song I want it that way 😀
.... Are all of these songs about how much sex they are having? This could not be less interesting or fun to listen to.
I mean I want to like it. I just don't. Actual trash actually. They ate the two genres of rap and rock and shat out this album. It's so weirdly uncreative.
The fact that \"I'll steal your honey like I stole your bike\" is by the Beastie Boys and not from LFO's Summer Girls is worth four stars alone.
Love it.
It is awesome even if they are embarrassed a little about it now Rapping over ac/dc is genius
Groundbreaking back in the day and set a format very obviously copied by Run DMC, to greater effect. White middle class kids trying too hard to be from the 'hood. Notable for sampling and at least they had the taste to steal from Led Zep. But it's still tap and I hate it.
Quite listenable, I like it. And I recognized some samples and songs, which was also nice
Love this album. Still blows my mind that this was their full length debut. From hardcore to incredibly polished hip hop. (You can credit Rick Rubin for that) Still a great album but there’s definitely some filler that doesn’t do it for me. A common issue with Beasties for me. The bangers outweigh the filler though Fave tracks: “Girls” “Paul Revere” “No Sleep Til Brooklyn”
I’m double vaxxed against it.
Not my cup of tea. Guys need to chill a bit.
This is painful to listen to. Fight for your right is the only vaguely listenable track on here, there rest is cringey, outdated and dull
Iconic album. Beastie boys are goats
among us
Lyricism was not the strongest point of the album - the early fusion of rock and rap, paired with the fresh production, is. At some point I stopped paying attention to the words as much because they were quite repetitive, but other than that, a solid offering to the list.
Classic album, great excuse to listen to it on repeat when my patients didn’t attend clinic.
It's hip-hop for normal people. Nice combination of styles.
This one doesn’t get love because of albums from Paul’s Boutique onward, but that’s unfortunate. Licensed to Ill kicks ass. It takes real skill to be that bratty.
My first rap album. As a pre teen white kid from rural UK this was a non confrontational way to get into hip-hop/rap whatever we called it back then. I don't think I knew it was unusual for 3 white kids to produce this as it shouldn't be but certainly made them stand out at the time. I only got the here the radio hits back in the day and took me to me students years a decade or so after to enjoy the full album. Not a favourite but a fond memory nether the less. 3/5
way ahead of its time, cool to hear modern music that has been sampled/interpolated from this album when listening.
Great to hear the classics in context on this one. Suffers from the usual BB drawbacks (vocals on top of each other in the mix especially) but the production and guitar here still make for an entertaining LP
Still good fun!
Didn't like it. not really my thing.
Simply awesome. This is a must listen.
Riktigt rövig hiphop
Like this more and more, the samples are truly amazing, and the lyrics are so honest. Young adults wanting what they really want.
This just isn't my genre and there's nothing here to change my mind. This album consists of little but stolen beats, juvenile attitudes and nasal whining. There are a couple of BB songs that I like, but not on this album.
2/5 stars
Possibly the best debut album in hip-hop history. It’s hard, it’s funny, and these guys tell stories with the best, as evidenced in tracks like Paul Revere. And everyone who’s ever been a teenager can relate to Fight for Your Right. A blast from start to finish.
So different
I dig the humour that runs through the Beastie Boys' music, and there's plenty on display on this album, but the one-trick-pony nasal obnoxious delivery of these white boys does a number on my ears after an album worth. Glad to have ridden the train all the way but I won't be visiting this place again. (Though I may occasionally visit Fight for Your Right, as it's a perfect meld of their various styles).
One of the most entertaining debut records of all time. It has it all, extremely creative and hard-hitting funky jazzy beats, a nice variety of headbangers and funny satire of frat culture, and an edgy raw energy that is rarely seen from a contemporary hip hop outfit. Even after having listened to it many times, I never stop shaking my head and tapping my feet to Rhymin & Stealin, Fight For Your Right, No Sleep Till Brooklyn, Slow and Low and Brass Monkey, and I don't think I ever will. 5/5.
This should be good but it's not the beastie boys that resonate with me
Richtig gut!
Schon besonders aber halt beastie und nicht Beauty
One of them is essential!
pretty darn good. a weird amount of the best songs come in the second half but tbh this album was better than I expected
Surprising amount of zep samples.
Can't decide between this or Paul's Boutique
Kinda slaps
Cómo no.
PUM!! golpe de nostalgia contundente.
I feel conflicted about this, there are parts I love and parts I hate but overall I’m left with ENERGY so I’m leaning positive
Absolute banger of an album. Second Beastie Boys album I’ve had as part of the 1001 albums list, and neither has disappointed. These dudes kill.
I mostly know later Beastie stuff, so some of this sounded pretty raw. The rhyming schemes are great but lyrics are dated. You can see the budding genius though.
love it end to end but just a little more variation would push it to a 5
I grew up listening to the beastie boys so it’s nostalgic for me, but other than the hits this album is pretty underwhelming.
Never had listened to the Beastie Boys although I've heard Fight for Your Right to Party and snippets of some of the rest. Couldn't work the whole way through as it became less and less unique and more and more flavorless...
Epic
Het was wel oke, maar er zijn beter Beastie Boys albums met creatievere composities.
This album sounds like an SNL skit. Or SNL skits sound like this album? Nevertheless it’s exactly the kind of rock rap album I would expect from a couple white dudes
Not my thing, all seemed repetitive beats and similar rhymes, couple of songs i thought where clever like the girls song
Awesome
Classic. Know it well. Love it.
I'm conflicted about this. Songs like Fight for Your Right and Brass Monkey are iconic and entertaining, but all of the rest sounds...the same. Same beats. Same flow. Plus two of the three Boys sound like Rick and Morty characters, which is not a good thing.
shouting the album
Is this good, or is it just nostalgia.
Solid album all around. Best beastie boys album. Probably one of the few rappers/groups that provide humor in their songs. They come out hard and provide rap hits over and over but with rock stylings and rap punk beats. 8.8/10
Bis auf Fight for your right unhörbar