As MCA states in the opening track, “My rhymes, they age like wine as I get older.” In the storied history of Hip-Hop, truer words have never been spoken. Approaching their late 40’s, The Beastie Boys have returned with what may be their most well crafted album to date, Hot Sauce Committee Part Two.
Continuing along the same vein as their previous album, The Mix Up, Hot Sauce Committee has a very organic feel to it, as all three of the artists provide the live instrumentals themselves. Combine that with the strange array of samples provided by Mix Master Mike, the legendary turntable aficionado, and you get a record that not only provides that standard Beastie Boys flavor and appeal, but also seems to reinvent the wheel in terms of what Hip-Hop can sound like.
What makes the Beastie Boys so interesting, and so inherently present in music for the past three decades is their willingness to switch up styles without sacrificing their individuality. Musically, they’ve always been pioneers. Lyrically, they’ve remained fairly consistent in terms of delivery and intensity. You’d think that this would be a bad thing. But why change a winning formula? They’ve certainly perfected it at this point. In fact, the trio’s chemistry may be better than it ever was.
Standout tracks include “Nonstop Disco Powerpack,” a call-and-response throwback to the days of Ill Communication. Think a new and improved version of “Root Down”.
For new listeners, “Make Some Noise” would be a good place to start. Easily the most accessible song on the album, it really highlights the lyrical style the group has been cultivating over the years.
For fans of their more experimental side,“Tadlock’s Glasses” will be a welcome addition to the trio’s catalogue of more quirky tunes. A laid back jam with some seriously odd voice modulations, it twists your brain like you’ve been inhaling too much nitrous oxide. If you have a good set of sub-woofers, don’t skip over this one. It has some of the heaviest bass lines in recent memory.
Let’s also remember that way back before they signed with Def Jam in the mid 80’s, The Beastie Boys started out as a hardcore punk band. Remember “Egg Raid on Mojo”? On “Lee Majors Come Again,” they revisit this style. While it may not be the casual listener’s favorite track, it offers longtime fans a look into their varied musical background.
Listening to Hot Sauce Committee Part Two is like reconnecting with old friends. Everyone’s older, more mature. You’ve lived your lives. You’ve grown and improved. Yet even though you may not have seen each other for a while, it’s easy to get back into that old groove. All in all, you realize that not much has really changed.
But that’s why you’re friends in the first place.
Hot Sauce Committee Part Two receives a PARLÉ
Rating:
P…Horrible
PA…Tolerable
PAR…Good
PARL…Kinda Great
PARLÉ…Classic
Readers May Also Like:
[FIRST LOOK] ‘The Angry Black Girl & Her Monster’ Movie Sneak Peek – Meet the Cast
[FIRST LOOK] 50 Cent Stars in ‘Expendables 4’ – New Sneak Peek of Movie, Release Date & More
