Disco de Beastie Boys: “Licensed to Ill”

It's hard to believe, but sometimes true that what goes around, comes around. I saw the Beasties on stage in London in September 1986 (with Run DMC and LL Cool J) shortly after this album came out (they were last on the bill and played only three songs, including "Slow and Low" and "Fight For Your Right"). The prevailing opinion at the time was that "Licensed To Ill" was one of the most obnoxious releases in the history of music. But what a party! The Beastie Boys seemed like a one-hit wonder when they changed record labels and took three years to release their follow up (Paul's Boutique), plus the fact these white boys were being universally panned by most of the rap community. But the Boys must be having the last laugh, and listening to this album again, it still sounds good. I am amazed at all the kids that weren't even born in '86 are discovering this record, which attests to the band's endurance, although the band owes a lot to Rick Rubin, their producer who meshed the Boys' brashness with great sound samples. As a parent I can say that, based on the feedback I've read here, if you are trying to decide on a music purchase for your teenager, this may do the trick.

I spent [a lot] on this thinking there would be some outtakes from the album or something new, but the japanese pressing is much like the us pressing with the only exception being that the cd is an lp cd which means that the cd looks like a record. Another reason this didn't get 5 stars was because it doesn't include all the original artwork from the original lp. It should of included all original artwork, plus some bonus tracks like I'm down, scenrio, she's on it, and rock hard, all of which were from the def jam era of the beastie boys. Although the album is great, don't expect anything new other than the lyrics and the cardboard cover. there are no new tracks on this, so waste your money on something else like paul's boutique or ill communication. You can probably get both of those great albums [for the same amount].

In response to Rickey Wright's editorial review (this guy's an editor and didn't see this?)...

The joke, Mr. Wright, is not them crashing their jet into the side of a mountain and surviving, but rather what the image turns into when you unfold the album cover and hold it length-wise with the tail-end up. It's the image of a 'joint' being mashed out (like a cigarette in an ashtray). So I think the genius behind it works, making the obvious - unobvious.

Also, the call letters on the rear of the plane (3MTA3) actually spell 'EAT ME' when viewed in reverse - which is what is usually done when you're smokin' a fatty and 'Jake' is on ya.

As for the album itself - CLASSIC! True Beastie Boy gold!

I can remember buying this when it came out, but somehow lost it, and recently repurchased it. These rhymes are that good...Wearing headphones at the mall, I burst into laughter and got many stares when they sang "I got a girlie in a castle, and one in a pagoda, and I got rhymes like Abe Vigoda!" How can you beat this stuff? Very fun, musically sound, well done all around.

And one of the greatest albums of all time comes from... The Beastie Boys? Yes. This album is still one of my favorites after four years, and it proves several things 1) This is one of the first mixes of rap and rock, 2) White guys from Brooklyn CAN rap, and 3) This is a great party album. It's got some of the Beastie Boys' greatest songs which can be summed in three words: Girls, beer, and partying. They rap about everything from their girlfriends (Girls, She's Crafty) to partying and mischeif (the classic Fight For Your Right and Paul Revere), to booze (Brass Monkey) to themselves (No Sleep Till Brooklyn) to their favorite fast food joints. As I'm reviewing this, I would like to point out that I'm not a hip-hop fan. The Beastie Boys are one of the few groups in this genre I really like. This has some of the greatest songs on it. Girls is one your feminist girlfriend wont like. Fight For Your Right answers one of the biggest mysteries of all time: What's that noise? Brass Monkey and Hold It Now, Hit It will probably top Louie Louie as some of the great frat songs of all time. Paul Revere is a song about what happens when the Beasties get themselves into trouble. The thing is, the Beastie Boys have put out some good stuff lately, but I think it'll be a long time before they (or anyone, even Eminem) can top this. So drink your brass monkey. Come on, you know you want to...