Ill Communication

by

Beastie Boys

Edit

I came to beastie boys on the back of vague recommendations from a mate, not knowing what to expect. Initially, i got licensed to ill, which i enjoyed for what it is, but it was not the stuff i had been recommended. I moved to check your head, and was pleasantly surprised at songs like pass the mic, so what'cha want, live at pjs. Since then, I have been ABSOLUTELY blown away by this album. There is no other album i know of that combines punk-rock, metal, acid jazz, funk, world beats, and hip-hop, in the same album, sometimes even in the same song. And it makes for a great mix.

Not only is this album a great mix of styles, but it is produced crisply, with the vocals mixed down slightly to become an accompaniment to the rest of the instruments, synths blending seamlessly in and out of the music, and the tribal beats laying the foundation for some great songs. The beasties manage to record and mix accordingly for the style of each song style they attempt.

And they attempt a lot. Songs like 'The Update', 'Futterman's Rule' are a psychedelic funk-fest, with tribal world beats as a backbone,synths everywhere and funky guitar licks, i cant help but love them. Songs like 'Sabotage' and 'Heart Attack Man' make for a change of pace, with great punk metal riffs, and fast heavy drum beats. My personal favourite simply for its ingenuity and awesome sound is flute loop; who else but the Beasties could take a folk sounding flute riff, and bring it into the hip-hop world with funky beats, mad scratches and mad lyrics? No one, thats who.

Ultimately, there is something here for a fan of every type of music.I recommend this album to anyone who loves funk, punk, hip-hop, or jazz.

My recommendations are:

The Update,

Futterman's Rule,

Flute Loop,

Sure Shot,

Heart Attack Man,

B-Boys making with the Freak Freak.

Enjoy.

To me, Ill Communication was something of a let down. Up until this album, each release was a career-achieving event. But Ill Communication breaks no new ground from the superb Check Your Head. Not that this album is without merit. "Sure Shot" is one helluva opener and "Sabotage" is wild fun, with or without the video accompaniment. But heavier (in content) tracks like "Bodhisattva Vow" weigh the album down. (Okay, the boys have turned Buddhist. Great, but put the message in liner notes, not in song.) Musically, the grooves are fresh and alive, but not in-your-face like earlier efforts. A mixed bag for me, but I'm sure the album will appeal to loyal fans.