Ill Communication

Shiiiiiiit. If this gonna be that kinda party, I’m gonna stick my dick in the mashed potatoes.

Sabotage was the biggest rock radio hit of the summer of 1994 Let that sink in...recorded while Kurt Cobain was still alive...the number one rock radio song of the summer... ...was The Beastie Boys. In addition, Root Down, Sure Shot, Get it Together, Flute Loop, Heart Attack Man, Tough Guy...? Look. I was 20. I'm biased.

I consider myself pretty well-versed with the history of hip hop and most of the old records, but this is a side of the Beastie Boys I'd never heard before. I was expecting something more along the lines of "Licensed to Ill" or "Paul's Boutique", but this is something completely different. This isn't a rap album with jazz and funk influences, this is a jazz album with funky raps played over it. When "Sabrosa" came on halfway through, I had to double-check that I was still listening to the same album. Five well-deserved stars here

I've never understood why The Beastie Boys' reputation as the ultimate frat boy party band, forged during the Licence To Ill era, stuck with them throughout their career. They knocked out "the hip hop Sgt. Pepper" in Paul's Boutique and still don't seem to get the credit they deserve as innovators. This album is all over the place in the best possible way. Hip hop to punk via funk and Miles Davis inspired jazz. An absolute classic.

Man…what the fuck happened, America? It used to feel like anything was possible here, that there were no limitations, no idea that couldn’t be made to work…or, at least, it was worth trying and finding out if it could work. We were creative and forward thinking, pushing boundaries in search for something new and unique…something better. I don’t really think that’s a thing anymore. Forget trying for something better: it’s a fight just to keep what we have and if you have an idea or a lifestyle that doesn’t comport with the general consensus of “normal”, you’re going to have to fight even harder. It’s a sad state of affairs and it fucking weighs me down - sometimes to the point where I’m writing about it instead of talking about a kickass record; a record that blew up in real time when I was an impressionable teenager and helped foster the idea that anything was possible and that the “boundaries”, at least when it came to music or art, didn’t matter. So, it’s weird to hear this record now and think about the things that used to be, in contrast with the things that are now. It feels like wasted potential. Not on the part of the of the Beastie Boys, they’re great and this record is a sprawling manifestation of everything they had done up to the point of its release. It’s on us, that wasted potential. We’re better than what we currently are and I don’t know if anyone knows how to fix that. I certainly don’t know how and I’ve played my part in taking that potential for granted, as well. …or maybe we were always exactly what we’ve become and I’m naive for thinking otherwise all these years. Like I said, it weighs on me.

I respect the Beastie Boys, but I've never really been a fan. This album fits that pattern. There's plenty of cool things going on, but usually too much or not enough on any given track. Don't get me wrong, I did enjoy a number of songs, especially "Sabotage" of course. But this is the first album we've had where I skipped songs. It's longer than I would like to listen to the Beastie Boys. A lot of the beats are cool, but these guys are all over the place. Plus they use a lot of distortion, which I normally enjoy, but here it obscures to the point where I don't even care what they're saying or doing. Some of the world-music or jazzy-type stuff is interesting, but for most of the record they sound like a sloppy, unfocused Rage Against the Machine. The most memorable vocal performances were Q-Tip on "Get It Together" and Biz Markie on "Do It," which reminds me that (1) it's Black History Month, and we haven't had a black artist/album since Michael Jackson, and (2) this is our second "hip hop" album, and both were by white artists. I'm going to listen to Midnight Marauders as a palate cleanser after this--it came out a year before this, and it doesn't sound as dated. Hell, Illmatic was released a month before this! This sounds 10 years older than Illmatic. The audacity to release THIS, AFTER Illmatic, and to INCLUDE the word "ill" in your title.....seek help. This was gonna be a 2 until I learned that. In the words of James Brown, "I'm mad!" Favorite tracks: Sabotage, Get It Together, Sure Shot Album art: Uhhh....it's a guy at a drive through or something? Very boring to look at. He looks like he might have bad teeth. Maybe he's British? Maybe that's why this made the list? Oi, guvna, bugger off. Yeah, this cover sucks. 1.5/5

Aujourd'hui, comme chaque jour ouvrable, synonyme de jour de dur labeur, je me dirige vers mon lieu de travail comme à mon habitude, ouvre mon ordinateur, et avant même de consulter mes mails, je me dirige vers mon générateur préferé, mon seul petit plaisir de la journée. Je me hâte de valider ma review de l'album précedent, ainsi que ma note, et laisse les frissons envahirent mon corps alors que j'attends avec excitation le nouvel album que je m'apprête à découvrir. Tout d'un coup, la page s'actualise et me laisse apercevoir de quoi ma journée sera rythmée. Seulement, c'est la stupéfaction: l'inscription "Anniversaire de Robpullvert" vient s'afficher digitalement sous mes yeux ébahis. En effet, aujourd'hui, nous sommes le 2 Juillet, et cette journée sera comme tous les 2 Juillet un véritable calvaire. Rob prend en effet le contrôle de l'intégralité des canaux de distribution musicaux. A la radio, on peut entendre Hugh Masekala joué tambour battant, dans les supermarchés, c'est The Crusaders qui vient polluer vos achats de vivres pour la semaine. J'ai tenté d'aggriper frénétiquement mon téléphone afin de jouer un peu de Ray Charles, mais le pistes avaient été effacées et remplacées par des hurlements de douleur et des appels à l'aide. Cette journée aura une fois de plus été synonyme de souffrance et de torture psychologique, ce qui est finallement assez representif de ce qu'il en est de cotoyer les 364 autres jours de l'année les avis musicaux desastreux de robcuillère.

Holy shit this album. I had the misfortune of being born after the Beastie Boys heyday but I still felt their influence in pop culture throughout the entirety of the nineties. I don't know what I USED to think about them, but I do know it wasn't a critical or thoughtful opinion. This is the first album of theirs that I've seriously listened to all the way through and I'm just fucking blown away. The influences and styles they've managed to wrap up in this album are just wild - every track feels completely new but still connected to the previous track. I've seen complaints about the runtime but honestly it feels perfect to me. Through this album alone I've been convinced not only of the magnitude of the Beastie Boys' impact on hip-hop, but of the sheer sickness of the group itself.

One of the better examples of those 90s records where the band tried a half-dozen different genres. Great sequencing - somehow the hardcore punk tracks don’t clash with the stripped-down sample-based hip hop. Lots of great jazz and funk instrumentals that don’t overstay their welcome. Because of this, in true 90s fashion, it sounds like a well-made mix tape. “Root Down” uses one of the best basslines ever to great effect. At times they drench their vocals in distortion and delay, reinforcing the focus on what sounds good over what would be conventionally expected of them. MCA is the MVP here, from his bass fills in “Sabotage” to the unique “Bodhisattva Vow.” Good stuff.

A classic. I always forget how eclectic this record is, and how many instrumentals it has.

Good thing the Beastie Boys weren’t a thing when I was in college because I would have been really fucking annoying about it

Big change sonically from licensed to Ill and Paul's Boutique but still has the unapologetic Beastie Boys vibe. Punk rock influences shine through on a handful of tracks. Essential hip hop album that made Beastie Boys the trail blazers they are. Top tracks: sure shot, Sabotage, get it together, Futtermans Rule

Nobody has managed to do what the Beastie Boys did. Hip hop/rap with a noticeable rock/punk history that isn’t annoying.

Great album. Beastie Boys have a special place in my heart despite the fact that I've never owned one of their albums. "Sabatoge," especially, puts this album over the top for me. 5 stars!

This would have been 5 as a one-song album with just Sabotage! Luckily, there is much more goodness than just that song. Lots of almost punk-like energy but this is an album that can also be enjoyed as a careful listen. Lots going on. Listening to this (and having listened to Paul's Boutique) I one again realise how good a hip-hop band the Beastie Boys were.

Ill Communication is like the Beastie Boys threw a party, invited punk rock, hip-hop, jazz, and funk, and things got wild. While this 1994 album offers head-bobbing tunes like "Sure Shot" and mosh-worthy jams like "Sabotage," it lacks the cohesion of their other iconic works. Their lyrics still pack a punch, serving up wit and humor in each rhyme. But let's face it, it's not the lyrical goldmine of "Paul's Boutique." Though not their magnum opus, Ill Communication proves the Beastie Boys' unstoppable creativity and genre-defying skills. Not their pièce de résistance, but a funky-fresh, genre-hopping adventure worth a spin.

Am I just hearing loudness or is there some real punk je ne sais quoi here? Either way, it's welcome and massively elevates the raps, which fade into the production in a way that is hard to do enjoyably. Length-wise the project seems a little bloated, but the instrumentals break it up enough to keep things fresh. Ending on one is an especially neat trick. There's clearly fun being had in the studio, but also what seems like genuine experimentation, deftly executed.

One of the great rap groups and albums of all time. Ageless...

This is music in my taste profile from my era, amd somehow I have never listened to this whole album. Why? I didn't like Sabotage when it came out; I thought it was over-hyped. I was just a "too cool for everything" teenager, and as I have grown older, I'm more of an "everything is so cool!" adult. Sabotage kicks ass. Nice guest spot from Q-Tip here, which added an element of smooth to the normally brash and confrontational style of the Beasties. Very nicely complimentary. WTF was Sabrosa?!? Super cool. A very nice break from the chaos that really shows the Beasties aren't one trick ponies. Flute Loop?!? Fuck, this is badass! This is the highlight of the album for me so far. The back half of this album is incredible

J'avais beaucoup d'estime pour cet album jusqu'au moment où j'ai compris qu'il ne s'appelait pas "Three Communication" mais "Ill Communication". Sans ce couac et je dirais même ce tollé provoqué par l'équipe marketing, le projet aurait pu bénéficier d'une étoile supplémentaire.

Annoying squeaky shouting over really dull and instantly forgettable music. Unfathomably popular. In terms of 'Boys' bands: Beach > Pet Shop >>>>> Back Street >>>>>>>>>> Ordinary >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Beastie. Rating: 1.5/5 Playlist track: Sabotage Date listened: 16/02/24

This is not the typical genre I’d enjoy. The first 7 songs including their hits made me want to give it a two star. But things began to change from Sabrosa where I can find my own space to hide from the complications, and get ready for a second wave. The same goes with Eugene’s Lament. What on earth is this. I love it. I’m having a zen moment while I’m listening to this loud album. The feeling is incredible. The flute loop, oh my, nice hook. This was the point when started really enjoying the album. I also had to mention Bodhisattva vow. I didn’t check the name of the song when I was on it, but my brain went: “this sounds like what they played when my grandad died”. And then I checked the lyrics and it was about achieving Buddhahood (to reach the end of suffering). At this point I can confirm the boys know what they are doing and have a solid reference on what they want to commute with the audience. Solid 5.

Hold nu kæft et album! Det er all over the place. Klassisk Hip-Hop sange, straight up punk tracks, instrumentale jazz numre hver for sig og blandet godt sammen. Jeg kedede mig på intet tidspunkt. Var bare nysgerrig på hvad de nu fandt på. Overraskende nok syntes jeg instrumental numrene fungerede super fint som små pauser i de mere hårde tracks med distorted vokal. Langt bedre, og mere kunstnerisk udført end de (ofte) tåbelige interludes Hip-Hop albums ofte har.

What an incredible album, the range really makes it an experience, another step closer towards live instruments instead of samples and an energetic mix of jazz and funk with rock and pop punk. An absolute thrill for the senses. She beastie on my boy till I sabotage

Good example of something I never would have listened to without this, maybe this isn’t a futile task after all

What a musical masterpiece. Really loved this one.

Stone cold classic! Will never not be 5 stars. Perfect blend of original 90s hip hop and punk, essential to any collection.

sabotage!

Rockin' as hell, and rich in beats throughout. Sabotage is obviously an all timer, but Root Down, Sure Shot, Futterman's Rule, and Flute Loop are all favorites as well. I love the musical ending.

Groovy!

It does like 12 different genres all amazingly well. Awesome album.

Nice energy, Beastie Boys are classic, well.

Very familiar. One of the best hip hop albums of all time - followed up Check Your Head in the BB’s progression into more mature / thoughtful themes (religion, domestic violence, music history, social issues, etc) while also remaining funky as hell and super funny/fun.

Follow up album to Check Your Head. Saw the Beastie Boys at Col Ballroom on Aug. 13, 1992. One of my favorite albums. 1 of 1001

Classic

Hadn't heard this album in a long time. Love the fusion of jazz, punk, rap, etc. Q-tip's voice always makes me happy. This stands out as a modern day classic (well, not so modern anymore given its 30 years old ha!) but like fine wine somehow doesn't age.

very good, picked up on jazz influences. Really enjoyed it. Probably a 4.5.

Long time fan of this band. Their greatest hits stay on rotation for me, and though this album doesn’t hit as hard as Licensed to Ill, it’s still pretty solid. The run time is a bit long, and I’m glad I had to take a break about 2/3 of the way through because as much as I love the sampling and DJ cuts, it tends to make a song feel longer and not shorted. There’s a lot of density to the musical production, which I dig, but it also means that an hour run time can hit like 8 genres and 20 styles and still not be done. I had 3 songs going in saved and added another 3 to keep on my playlists. It’s not my first listen but I have found they hit harder with their greatest hits than they do as an album run. Still, I enjoyed them and I enjoyed this. There’s something so charming and genuine and passionate about how they make music and I love their organic blend of punk and hip-hop elements. Part of the run time is devoted to a few instrumental tracks and I think that actually ups the value. They know how to mix really well and it lets the raps breath a bit to have some space in between.

so, a bit of background... i really really enjoy the Beastie Boys. I think their whole story is so interesting and fun, and they have some absolute killer tracks. From Licensed to Ill, which is just 3 boys messing around and talking about beer and girls, to making their way to a jazz/funk/rock-esque/hip hop record is quite the journey. I can definitely understand if this album isn't someones cup of tea. its a bit all over the place - and most folks have probably only heard Sabotage (which is killer). But, this album has some serious depth if you allow yourself to just enjoy the ride. After listening to this, I actually went back into a deep dive on the boys and re-listened to Paul's Boutique, which was their sophomore record and first delve into some heavier beats. its pretty cool to see the journey that they were on, even though most folks don't consider them to really be in the hip hop sphere. I really enjoyed this album, and really hope that we get more of them in the future.

El disco que trae Sabotage. Enough said.

Love this album. Only reason I knock it down a star is it gets a little saggy on the back half. But overall is still excellent

Tough to say how or why this was groundbreaking as I was/am not a part of the scene but other say it's so and I'll take their word for it. Overall a fun listen with electronic, hip-hop and some rock influences. Would I listen again? It's very possible. Highlight: "Sabotage" Lowlight: "Ricky's Theme"

Yeah not bad I quite like the Beasties. I much prefer the second half of the album which is a bit more jazzy and instrumental.

2.5/5

This album was...fine. The hits for the Beastie Boys are sooooo good but the rest is fine. It definitely has its moments tho. The instrumental songs were very interesting and not something I thought I'd hear the Beastie Boys do. Actual...2.75 Liked Songs: "Sure Shot" , "B-Boys Makin' With The Freak Freak" , "Root Down" , "Sabotage" , "The Update" , "Do It" , "Heart Attack Man"

Wasn't sure if I'd enjoy this since I'm not really big on this genre (as my previous reviews will confirm) but actually this had a lot to like about it. It was funky in parts, and at times sounded a bit like some hardcore bands my girlfriend is into.

Isn't as good as their other one.

Its a lot of fun. Would probably be 4 stars if it was 40 minutes versus 60.

First 3rd of the album is amazing, then gets pretty dull

Great album upto and including "get it together". After that song, not so much. It meanders on a bit. 5 stars first half 1 star second half

This is the first album that I approached with trepidation. I disliked Licence to Ill immensely and, while I understand from lore and the radio singles that the band broadened their palette and appeal, I was not confident that I would enjoy this anymore than that. And I didn't. The ethnic samples are pleasant and Sabotage is fun, but, when the trio hectors or hollers on any of the less dynamic tracks, it is an ordeal. The vocals and much of the music are so blown-out and distorted that they are unfathomable. It feels like dissociating at a club. There are all these sounds a rhythms, but you are not a part of them. They're happening over there, beyond a grey haze. It doesn't feel real and you're just getting through it. They're not real either, just an animatronic band at a kids restaurant, grinding through the motions and none of the staff notice or care that the music is growing more distorted, is getting lower, is slowing down. I dunno, maybe you've never dissociated. The shocking thing is that this is their fourth album. Where this the follow up to Licenced to Ill, you could mark the progress and personal development. But, if this is number four, I don't think there is room for both me and the Beasties in this Venn Diagram. Unlike Elvis Costello, this doesn't have attractions for me. In fact, I would like Elvis Costello to walk out and interrupt this record: "I'm sorry ladies and gentlemen, but there's really no reason to do this album tonight." 1.5 A couple of weeks ago we had ‘Licensed to Ill’ in which, posterity has noted, the Beastie Boys parodied something called ‘Frat Rap’ but accidentally epitomised Frat Rap. This was very sad for the Beastie Boys but now here we are two weeks and three albums later and the Beastie Boys have left this unfortunate misunderstanding well behind them and become their own earnest thing, having risen safely above the fandom of unsavoury young white men and the contempt of serious hip-hoppers. Good for them. I love a redemption arc. So even though ‘Ill Communication’ is a load of shit we must take a minute to acknowledge the grown-upness of it. If these sound like the same rappers, possibly the same raps, that made up ‘Licensed to Ill’ it is, crucially, very hard to be sure. The vocals are buried beneath so much distortion and delay that very few words are comprehensible. This is presumably just like spotting someone you haven’t met since school and, seeing that he has grown a beard, feeling assured that he has reached intellectual and emotional maturity. There are also several instrumental tracks here (Sabrosa, Ricky’s Theme, Transitions) in which the influence of Miles Davis (apparently…cheers Wikipedia) has told so far on the band that Wah Pedals have been purchased. Following my encounter with A Tribe Called Quest’s album last week I now carry increasingly acute hopes that no one else in the next thousand albums or so has been influenced by Miles Davis. In any case - here we have another sticky layer of musical adulthood with which we can credit Beastie Boys 4.0 In conclusion - Sabotage is one awesome track, just like No Sleep till Brooklyn is one awesome track. I’ll leave the rest. 2/5

White people ass hip hop.

First half is really good. Starts to sound very samey and pretty bad during the middle/end.

Classic!

Pure genius

An album full of rage. Sounds like if you combined Primus and the Gorillaz. Also has some rap and hip-hop aspects. The messages of the songs like The Update were good. Really liked the bass line of Root Down. Overall, very fire album.

I was once in a Beastie boys tribute band. I was the DJ, but one pub we played in asked if we could play drugs don't work so we ended up glassing him, then played a cover gig of ill communications entire album cover to cover. Good times, good times.

Cool hip hop vibe, something like this Tyler the creator or frank ocean. I like drums in this album. They sound so different and not typical. I think I’ m listen this album when I need inspiration or fend new sound. It’s not typical album for 90 I think. This album sound like Moscow live temp sometimes so rush.

Fire and definitely a classic.

5/5

Favorite tracks: Sure Shot & Flute Loop Classic. Most of my favorite Beastie Boys songs are on this record. The odd punk songs are an awesome complement to the low fidelity production in the hip hop tracks.

Sabotage is as integral to Jewish musical culture as Hava Nagila

soo good creative geniuses

Man, the Beastie Boys really don't get the credit they deserve. If you just listen to their hit singles, you might expect that they're non-serious frat boy punk and hip hop. The full albums tell a very different story. Beginning with "Paul's Boutique", they began to really sound like artists. That album could be called a fluke, with the sound shaped by samples and the collaboration with The Dust Brothers. By the time of "Ill Communication", sampling was out and live instruments used to recreate the vibe of their past artistry. It's noticeably more focused than "Paul's Boutique" and utilizes heavy jazz influence, very evident from the basslines. They remain true to their roots as a punk van's turned hip hop act which hides how brilliant the album really is. But they have expanded their style exponentially here. "Ill Communication" is the second triumph from these guys. They had some more excellent years to follow but this is peak.

Solid album

This was my first Beastie Boys album, and it remains my favorite. I think I appreciate it even more now.

Another likely biased review, this album is great. I would maybe say too much filler and less rap, but the instrumental stuff is so good and chill. I vividly remember so many parties and good times with this album on. One of my go to albums from my late teens and beyond.

my first time listening to beastie boys. dare i say it was amazing and now i have new favourite band

Having this album is prohibiting my progress in 1001. Stuck on repeat - genius creation

Ah man. This is back where it all started for me. Having an older cousin with decent taste is a very good thing when you are 11 and are getting ambushed by Mike & the Mechanics and Christopher Cross at home. That tape he made me with this on one side and RATM on the other truly changed my life. Cruising around Brampton with that tape on my Grundig BeatBoy walkman thinking I was a fucking G with curtains and fresh clobber from Burtons. What a time. Anyway, this album is sick. It was sick at the time and time hasn't made it any less sick. It's progressive musically and lyrically (MCA getting woke on the end of Sure Shot - props) and moved the band back into the limelight. It flows so well too. Kicking the door open with Sure Shot it's unrelenting in its mix of styles with lovely nods to their hardcore punk past. Even the jammy, jazzy instrumentals work well as a palette cleanser. It all sounds so live too with less emphasis on samples compared to their earlier work. Highlights: Sure Shot Root Down (the transition into Sabotage is lovely) Sabotage Get It Together Alright Hear This (can never get enough of the distorted mic effect) Flute Loop Lowlights: Figure I need to say something critical about this album so I'd say it's a bit long and too front-loaded with bangers but there are still some gems towards the end. I'd be lying if I didn't say it trails off compared to the first half. Eugene's Lament is a bit pointless. See also Ricky's Theme and Transitions. Outstanding album. My biggest regret in music is never going to see these live. RIP MCA

They're not great rappers and their voices are annoying, but this album is outstanding

Amazing album

Banger.

𝘐𝘭𝘭 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 feels like hip-hop made for people who grew up on fuzzed-out guitars and skate videos — a collision of breakbeats, punk energy, jazz flourishes, and Beastie Boys sarcasm. It’s messy in the best way: loud, loose, and full of personality. The group leans hard into their hybrid identity here, crafting a sound that’s as comfortable with hardcore riffs as with boom-bap rhythms. It’s not pure hip-hop in the traditional sense, but that’s exactly why it works. As a kind of gateway record for rock listeners, it’s surprisingly effective and still a lot of fun.

Love the beastie boys

Love love love

So good, there is so much happening and it is done so well, the blend of genres is perfect. Need to relisten with how packed it is 4.5/5

1. toso dynamiko ksekinhma lov it 2. den trelathika me ekane ligo na agxwnomai 3. sthn arxh den trelathika alla pros to telos kati mou gargalise 4. latrevw to tampourlo 5. den trelathika wraio alla miex 6. marese alla oxi apta agaphmena m mou arese to i i 7. marese sthn arxh poly alla meta kapws barethika 8. kounithika polu me auto to tragoudi yes!! 9. poly polu polu dynath arxh poly dynato tragoudi 10. yesss maresei polu to mood pou to phgainei 11. kalo bam boop alla einai bam boop 12. oti kai an symbainei euxaristw 13. joe valance and brae inspiration 14. latrevw tous kyklothimikous 15. wraia jazia mexri ekei 16. ksespase ligo kai pame parakatw 17. ketipi dance song 18. polles apwries kanena parapwno 19. sthn arxh snobara alla me ekane na kounithw arketa ara allazoume gnwmh 20. wraio klhsimo marese eixe poikilia alla kapoia me kourasan ligaki eixe omws arketa diamantakia all in all 7/10

don’t think the album started off very strong, first four are pretty whatever. like the jazz influence. root down - jimmy smith. sabotage = classic. get it together, q-tip. like the instrumentals.

Kachayet

This has some great songs, but a lot of filler IMO. I was ready for it to be over by the end!

Love it. Some stone cold classics on here, and I really appreciate all the instrumentals, too. Definitely from the peak CD era where artists were trying to fill up the whole disc. Could use some editing.

Perfect no notes

Great hip hop track to start then tough guy comes out of nowhere, wow actual musicians who can do both! This is a rarity in this world , mixing so many things! Root down a true blend of funk, rap with the church organ going I'm sure they were the first to ever do things like this, amazing. Into sabotage I mean who doesn't know and love this track already! Eugene's Lament is really surprising, combining middle eastern sounds with varied instrumentation, you can really tell the Beastie Boys are passionate musicians and have so many influences. Ricky's Theme could easily be a Marvin Gaye backing track, it just lacks the production shine of motown but the instrumentation is there, in a much rawer and in-your-face form. Heart attack man is like hip hop hardcore which is interesting to listen to! It's really hard to tell which parts the boys are playing on their instruments, as they're all talented musicians, apart from the parts they've samples. True masters of blending the two arts

This was a fun listen. I just listened to Run DMC and despised it. This record is from another hip hop group that paved ways in this genre. Only 10 years after the release of that Run DMC album and this record is far superior than Run DMCs self titled. The one thing that stands out on this record is the production value and the music that accompanies the lyrics. I won’t be the first one to say the Beastie Boys sound annoying. But the music choices almost hide the fact that they have shitty voices. You can tell that this record was crafted and not put together half assed. The instrumental parts were fantastic. It isn’t perfect! But the evolution in hip hop from 84 to 94 is something to make note of. Yeah, I know not all hip hop in 94 is great. But my point is, hip hop evolved. This album is evident that it got better in a short amount of time.

enjoyed

I was not expecting this!

A bit over the top at points but always engaging and interesting

This is their best album. Like a lot of 90s albums, it's too long. Despite the wide range of styles. And they're good at all of them. Favorite song: Sabotage

2nd best beastie boys album, couple skips but the instrumental songs are all great and make the album a little lighter which is much appreciated

It's been a long while since I've listened to any Beastie Boys at length, they're usually a band I go to for the hits and that's about it. Always been a fan of their sound, even if it hasn't aged all that well in the last 30 years. I was also surprised by the amount of instrumental tracks on this album, I can't remember if their earlier albums are this loaded with instrumentals. The length is one thing, but I didn't mind it as much as I have with other albums. An easy four, and will come back to it for some classroom background music in the future.

"Alright team, the studio for our new blockbuster movie needs us to finish the soundtrack for the film. We need to come up with a song for when our ragtag group of friends, who are rebelling against the system, come walking out one at a time in slow-motion wearing their new outfits." "Hey boss, I think I got exactly what you need right here." "You son of a bitch that's perfect! Now all we need is a song for when they get in a vehicle at night and begin driving to the city for the final confrontation...." ____________________________________ This album had a lot more variation than I thought it would. The Beastie Boys sound is so distinct with their big hits, but there was so much more going on here. Funky instrumentals, distorted and fast punk, smooth hip-hop, it's all here. It needed it too with the album being an hour long. Not as many hits on here as I was hoping for, but still a good listen.

Easily my favorite Beastie Boys album I've heard

Отличное и разнообразное звучание группы, но минус балл лишь за небольшой перебор филлерных треков

I love Beastie Boys. This isn't my favourite but very decent

Very good Beastie Boys album. High 4* 4/5

While hip hop/rap are not my cup of tea, I can still appreciate it as an art form. The Beastie Boys are famous for this, but they do a great job or creating an amalgamation of hip hop, jazz, punk, alternative, etc. It was definitely a journey. It was enjoyable, and I see it's value.

Variety! Fun! White boi 90’s rage hip hop! Now just add some bloke on guitar called Tom and were really raging

This album is incredibly impactful. While I don’t focus on race, it’s hard to ignore the significance of a group of white rappers from New York making such a mark in the 90s, especially when gangsta rap dominated the scene. The respect they've earned and their continued relevance today is truly impressive. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this album. The tracks are unique, blending hip-hop, rock, and boom-bap in a way that feels fresh. The Q-Tip feature is a standout, adding an extra layer to the sound. The run of "Root Down," "Sabotage," and "Get It Together" is absolutely amazing, and including "Sabrosa," the instrumental track, makes it even better. The production throughout is top-notch, and while the second half of the album might not hit quite as hard, it’s still a solid 4/5 overall.

this album is like a best friend to me