Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee Part 2

I'm not sure what or who it was that planted this idea into my head, but I was always, until recently, under the impression that the Beastie Boys were a joke. I reckon my childhood wires might have crossed with New Kids on the Block for some reason. Alas, it's taken me until 2011 to discover them - or Paul's Boutique and License to Ill at least. But then a Youtube I subscribe to pointed me in the direction of 'Too Many Rappers' and my interest was revived. After a couple of health setbacks the Boys are most definitely back.

From opener 'Make Some Noise' all potential fears that they'd lost it were blown out of the park - it reminds me a little bit of Pharoahe Monch in that sense of overblown, floorfilling dance presence that provides the perfect backdrop for the trio to go wild to. Do you remember those microphone toys you could buy as a kid and they'd make your voice sound robotic? I think they might be used in 'Nonstop Disco Powerpack', a slow-funky disco track that's packed with sound effects and unusual distortions that throw the rhythm off a little.

'OK' saves that though with a return to a much more straightforward delivery - perfect boombox territory with slightly menacing tunes and an infectiously catchy rhythm. Nas then makes an appearance on 'Too Many Rappers', the lead single. There's always the risk of guests on a Beastie Boys record being outperformed (at least because of their voices, which sound perennially more aggressive and energetic than most can manage) but Nas really holds his own here - a pretty solid song that deserved a bit more than the Grammy nomination.


The grime-dance vibes continue with 'Say It', a track perfectly crafted for today's heavier dance scenes where Bananarama just won't cut it any more (a real tragedy, I'm sure). It all ends with an 8-bit-like sequence and some croaking, 'The Bill Harper Collection' throwing in a drumroll and fanfare before the soft-reggae gorgeousness that is 'Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win' featuring another current favourite of mine, Santigold. There's a little bit of confusion since she really dominates the track both in terms of presence and singing duties, but it's got such a sun-baskingly good sound that I don't care. Oh and that saxophone...

Electric guitars and a church organ announce the arrival of 'Long Burn The Fire', a pretty slow track with bounce and the trio sounding a little bit subdued. However we're back on our feet again with 'Funky Donkey', which would be what it says on the tin were there an ass involved. Well I guess a case could be made for ass-shaking. WE DIGRESS. It's an immediately catchy track that leaves writers such as myself wishing for synonyms for 'funk'. Swag. That'll do. After the brief detour via 'The Larry Routine's silliness, 'Tadlock's Glasses' returns to the echoes and metallic voice effects that distract more than they entice.

Things really go a bit manic in 'Lee Majors Come Again' with a heavy rock riff that packs a punch; the bassline sounding like Joy Division if they'd cheered up a bit. 'Multilateral Nuclear Disarmament' is probably quite far down on a list of expected Beastie Boys track titles - but don't be fooled. The bass on this is rather lovely indeed, as the MCs themselves take a little bit of a breather. Kettle drums and Kraftwerk-esque squelches announce their return in 'Here's A Little Something For Ya' that reminds me a lot of something else, a confusion that'll be appeased I'm sure once the samples list is released.


Kids' voices and a rapturous instrumentation begin to wind things down a bit in 'Crazy Ass Shit', sounding like the ideal closing credits for The Hangover 2. Hollywood, hire me xx. And the last routine is their last track - 'The Lisa LisaFull Force Routine' showing no signs of turning down the volume.

Whether or not this will stand the test of time is a big question. Some of their most recent material (notably 2007's The Mix-Up) has been pretty poorly received and the initial reviews for this are good - and it's such a good blend of influences that there's really something for everyone. For a band to be as energetic and dedicated to their work 22 years down the line is something not to be taken lightly. I could complain a little that at times the sound effects threaten to blur their voices and they're at times inaudible, but it's a minor qualm.

Rating: 7.5/10
Highlights: Lee Majors Come Again, Too Many Rappers, Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win, Make Some Noise, OK
Avoid: Long Burn the Fire

Artwork Watch: Looks like someone flung some Liquorice Allsorts at a box of lego. Not very interesting.
Title Watch: Part 2 coming before Part 1 is always a little bit of an annoying gimmick but all shall be forgiven on account of the idea of such committees being likely to be haphazard in the organisation department anyway.