Beastie Boys - To the 5 Boroughs

The Beasties Never Fail

The Beastie Boys came totally correct with this album. As one of the few artists who can create a whole new sound for themselves and still sound good, the Beastie Boys created another hip-hop masterpiece.

The production on this album is very stripped down and unique. It's clearly inspired by old school 808 beats (which we all know the Beastie Boys love). There is no heavy sampling, no heavy bass and no punk elements as you might expect. Instead we get some really catchy , up beat productions, with a truly unique sound.

The rapping is surprisingly good considering it's done by almost 40 year old white guys. The three exchange verses with ease and complement the beats perfectly. MCA sounds very raspy on the album, but it actually sounds great. Mike D is as on top of his rap game as he ever was while AdRock provides his goofy banter as usual.

If you're one of those people who's really more into the experimental funk/rock that was seen on Check Your Head and Ill Communication, this may not be the right Beastie Boys album for you. But if you're an all-around BBoys fan, you're bound to love this. October 12, 2008

Mature

This album was released 6 years later after Hello Nasty. The lead single is Ch-Check it out. Triple Trouble was the 2nd single. Those two songs are their typicaly songs they did in the past. Some songs like We Got The Power is about voting a new president in. One of the members from Run DMC has a few lines on this album. It Takes Time To Build is about rebuilind New York city from 9/11 attacks. This album goes back to the old school years in the 1980's. No guitars or drums, just the dj using sound samples and their voices August 23, 2008

This is rap

When you ask a teen today who listens to rap (which shouldn't be hard to find) and ask who is the #1 white rapper, 99.9% of the time they'll all say Eminem without thinking. Thats how MTV has raised the youth. The Beastie Boys can out rap Eminem anyday of the week. I use to love Eminem until the movie came out and he unleashed a slew of rappers upon us. I recently started listening to Beastie Boys and im floored. There rhymes are more clever then Eminems and they dont have to rap about hating there wifes, bringing along 50 friends to have rap careers, or telling people not to mess with them because they'll kill them. All in all, an amazing cd. This is rap music not the stuff you hear on the MTV or the radio. Thats all a phase, Beastie Boys will outlast and outshine all on comers. October 15, 2007

Craptacular Copy Control

That's right, folks. This isn't a CD. It's a shiny disc that looks like a CD. However, it doesn't meet the CD specification, and you won't see 'Compact Disc' written on it anywhere.

There is no guarantee that this hunk of junk will work in any past, existing, or future equipment. For lots of people, they'll put it in their computer/car/portable CD player, and it won't play.

Don't buy this album. September 28, 2007

An expensive drink coaster!

I can't see how anyone can like this, unless flat and boring is your thing.

It's kinda funny: when Licensed To Ill was released it was the BBoys joking around and it turned into a gem. I assume they are taking themselves serious on this one, and it turned out a clunker.

How can a band have such a great string of awesome music and then release this piece of junk followed by their latest release: Mix-Up (more junk).

If the BBoys were playing baseball, they would've switched to DH long ago. Instead these guys are still starting, and at best hitting the Mendoza line.

Retire while you still have some pride, unless you think selling corny music for lots of money is cool. I don't. Some poor sap bought my trade in. July 24, 2007

More reviews at Amazon.com ...