by Adam (Toronto, Canada) - Each week I preview an album which I think deserves a listen to and if it's worth to buy, I will cater for all tastes of music from R'n'B to Rock, Country, Hip hop and Pop.
Beastie Boys - To The 5 Boroughs
Release Date: June 15, 2004
The fans have been waiting six years. For those of us late 20-somethings who grew up with a "License To Ill" tape permanently in bedded in our tape players, this album is sure to bring on some feelings of nostalgia with it's old-school flavor. I was naturally excited about this new album especially after hearing the first single "Ch-Check It Out."
It's an all rap line-up this time excluding instrumental funk and hardcore punk songs from past albums. The best way to describe this album is to imagine a "License To Ill" type of approach with new millennium beats. After hearing the first single I was expecting something more like the "Check Your Head" through "Hello Nasty" type of beats all produced with Mario Caldato, Jr. However, this is not the case in the least. An example as to what Hip-hop should really be doing right now instead of the stale state it's in. Second this album is nothing like Paul's Boutique. Anyone who is reading my review on Top40 Charts must be informed about this: this album is all about New York City based beats and rhymes!
Now produced by the Beasties alone, expect a more monotone, programmed and artificial beat heavy production as opposed to trusty Beastie-break beats of old. Also expect digital bleeps and blips as opposed to previously used sampled melodic elements. Don't get me wrong, this album is very cool, just misrepresented by the first single.
It's been a whole week since it came out and I've listened to it everyday. The album definitely has grown on me, though I think the Beasties are in danger of alienating some fans with their somewhat naive and simplified political views.
As far as the political slant: Last time I checked... this is the free world and free speech goes along with that. For everyone that doesn't like the fact that they mention politics...get over it. Music has always been a venue for freedom of speech and God willing it always will be. It's one of the things that make our country great and the Beastie Boys know that.
If you were somehow unaware they were political then you've had your head in the sand (or somewhere else) for quite a while now.
These guys are liberals, we get that right off the bat, and there are many attacks on the presidency, and how things are going, that the Boys lyricism in this album. Whether talking about a president we 'didn't elect,' or needing more gun control, the Beasties have a definite agenda: "We've got a president we didn't elect, the Kyoto treaty he decided to neglect, and still the U.S. just wants to flex."
As far as critiquing a subjective subject such as art work or music... it's pointless. However, I feel that I owe it to them out of respect for their work to give input. The only thing that I could wish for (which is big to me) is guitars and Mc A's massive bass lines.
The lyrics on this album were just insane. Some lines can even be quotable for Hip-Hop history. With lyrics always comes song timing. One word: "fresssshhhhhhh."
To The 5 Boroughs lacks the energy that I was looking for, lacks many a good hook, and gets a tad sloppy on the lyrics. While half of the tracks are gold, the other half just sounds like filler. Some tracks are pure genius, while the others are... eh. They had the time to make an awesome album, but they only delivered on half of the tracks.
If you want something that cures what ails you or something that will clear your head, then this is the CD for you. With all the stuff going on in the news everyday, "To the 5 Boroughs" is exactly what the doctor ordered. I was getting a little tired and bored with my current CD rotation, but now it's alive again thanks to the Beastie Boys.
This album has a little politics, a lot of fun, and a whole lot of Beastie. There is political commentary on the album, but it's an election year and they're certainly not the only ones to make reference to the current climate. You just listen, observe, and take away from it what you will. You don't have to agree to appreciate the merit of the artists work. At least they have something to say. We know they care. Love it or hate it!
Their sound is so unique and addictive. One listen and you'll never want to put it down. It's just pure ecstasy. Girls, If you haven't discovered the Beastie Boys, you just don't know what you're missing. If you're lonely, want to party, but don't want to hit the club, just pop "To the 5 Boroughs" into the CD player and the fantasy begins.
"To the 5 Boroughs" proves that they were always the real thing. They haven't lost any of the qualities that made them so popular when they first debuted. I think they've actually gotten better. Some recording artists decline with age, but the Beastie Boys seem to have their own personal fountain of youth. You can't tell by listening alone that their first attempt was in 1986. They sound more mature, but they keep the entire flavor that has made them so unique and distinct. "Licensed to Ill" will always be a classic, but their new release is more polished and you can see how much they've really grown as artists. You will not be disappointed!
Highlights of the album:
1. Ch-Check It Out (10/10): Poppy, bright and an awesome music video, this is the first single off the album and its catchy as ever! Awesome song that energizes you and makes you want more. Clever lyrics and awesome beats makes this my favorite one on the album.
2. Right Right Now Now (8/10): It has more of a 92' feel but another solid song, its a bit political (some may be offended) but i'm digging it. It lacks some of the intensity that you hear in the first song, but adds some harpsicord slabs right under the lyrics.
3. The Hard Way (9/10): 'The Hard Way' is a good example of the 'NYC' side of this album. The lyrics place you squarely in the Beastie's home. Of course, they need to diss every other rapper that's come before, and brag about how great they are (that's hip-hop for you). Basically they go off on being cool, and living it up in NYC even with all the stuff going on that they disagree with.
4. Time To Build (8/10): One of the less impressive tracks on the album, not really a favourite of mine but excellent work from Mix Master Mix (the Beastie Boys' DJ). 'Time to Build' is the main anti-Bush political song. Lyrics like: 'Stop building SUV's strung out on OPEC' and 'we've got a president we didn't elect/The Kyoto treaty he decided to neglect' go all through this. Stuff that every Republican would argue vehemently with and every Democrat would yell 'hell yeah!'
5. Rhyme The Rhyme Well (7/10): I love the intro to the song, very different feel to the song. While lyrically one of the better tracks on "5 Boroughs" and it is another track that could have been filled with more energy. Just OK!
6. Triple Trouble (10/10): This track is one that supports the album. It's classic Beastie Boys! 'Triple Trouble' is the 'Three MCs and One DJ' of 'Boroughs.' Great lyrics ('What the Helen of Troy is that?'), a great piano-infused beat, changing it up constantly, all make up a stand-out track, that could turn into one of the singles. The song freaks the opening break of "Rappers Delight" in a totally original way!
7. Hey F*** You (6/10): Good beat but the song itself seems to have a different message (people say this is about the beastie dissing the "bling bling" rappers of today, doesn't bother me personally). The track has an old school vibe and sound like they could have been lifted straight of the "B-Boy Bouillabaisse."
8. Oh Word? (6/10): Very nice - beat and lyrics.
9. That's It That's All (8/10): Good track, it will make you look twice at the liner notes to see if the Neptunes made a cameo appearance!
10. All Lifestyles (9/10): It has a bomb beat, breakneck scratching a la Mixmaster Mike and a prime example of the group's heightened world-view lyrics. It's a quirky song but could be a classic with more time.
11. Shazam! (7/10): It could be popular at a club, its allright not a big favourite. A pretty cool layout, some lyrics that blow ya' mind, but it's missing a good hook.
12. An Open Letter To NYC (10/10): As a new different sound on "5 Boroughs," this track, talking about both a pre and a post 9/11 New York, has a great sound. Everything about this track is good: Lyrics, Hook, Beat, ect. The wretched lyric: 'Two towers down/but you're still in the game,' its one of the best on the album.
13. Crawlspace (4/10): Obviously a filler track, 'Crawlspace' is a track you may or may not like. It is just sick-their (somewhat uncharacteristically) smooth delivery just kind of bubbles beneath two and a half minutes of prime choice electro-funkiness.
14. The Brouhaha (9/10): A good favourite of mine, excellent work by MMM (Mix Master Mike). This track is great! It has the energy I was searching for in this album, while still keeping its analogy glory.
15. We Got The (9/10): the last song unfortunately but a great fast paced solid song. The most positive of the political songs, and it's got a driving beat, and it all leads up to a fantastic finish for the album, with a repeating sample of 'Empower everything,' then a click. Nothing could be done better on this track.
Rating: 8
Tracklisting:
1. Ch-Check It Out
2. Right Right Now Now
3. The Hard Way
4. Time To Build
5. Rhyme The Rhyme Well
6. Triple Trouble
7. Hey F*?# You
8. Oh Word?
9. That's It That's All
10. All Life Styles
11. Shazam!
12. An Open Letter To NYC
13. Crawlspace
14. The Brouhaha
15. We Got The
