By Zack Gill
Staff Writer
After Beastie Boys member MCA was diagnosed with throat cancer, the seminal hip-hop trio delayed its greatly-anticipated album “Hot Sauce Committee Part 1.” Frankly, the world has been way too depressing without the Beastie Boys.
The Beastie Boys are one of the greatest American rock ‘n’ roll and hip-hop acts of all time. The trio had an almost unbelievable streak from 1986’s “Licensed to Ill” to 1998’s “Hello Nasty,” releasing what can be called five of the greatest albums of all time. Two significant blunders came with the abysmal “To The Five Boroughs” and the misguided instrumental album “The Mix Up,” but the Beasties are back on track with “The Hot Sauce Committee Part 2.” This record is a worthy addition to the Beastie oeuvre, with its infection beats and skillful and often hilarious lyrics.
Why the title? Two years after the album’s original targeted release date, the Beastie Boys claim that they have decided that, artistically, the songs of “Part 1” are a better fit for “Part 2,” and that the original “Part 1” is to be indefinitely shelved. It doesn’t matter if they’re being honest or simply humorous – the world should be grateful that there is a new Beastie Boys album at all.
Oddly enough, two of the album’s best tracks have been floating around for the last two years. Both “Lee Majors Come Again” and “Too Many Rappers” were released in 2009 and have already appeared in various forms of media, such as video games “Skate 3” and “DJ Hero.” “Lee Majors Come Again” is classic Beasties, with fuzzy guitar and rapping. “Too Many Rappers” almost has an old-school feel, with awesome bass, wonderful percussion and an excellent guest appearance from Nas.
“Hot Sauce Committee Part 2” is somewhat of a departure musically for the Beastie Boys. The album retains the signature three-man call-and-response rap routine, but, upon first listen, it seems as if it is much more focused on instrumentation than sampling. ” Hot Sauce” does use samples on some songs, but not on nearly as many as 1989’s “Paul’s Boutique” or “Hello Nasty.” This decision gives the album a thicker, more percussive and guitar-centric feel.
“Multilateral Nuclear Disarmament” is notable for being the album’s lone instrumental track. The Beastie Boy’s jazzy instrumentals are worthy diversions from their normal rapping (even if they aren’t strong enough to warrant entire albums), and this one doesn’t disappoint. It’s just another hip-hop trend the Beasties subtly break: 1994’s universally acclaimed “Ill Communication” has tons of instrumentals of the sort.
The standout track of the entire album is “Don’t Play No Game That I Can’t Win.” The track is reggae-infused, with syncopated horns under the rhymes. It also features a guest appearance from acclaimed chanteuse Santigold, who contributes a wonderful performance that fits right in without detracting from the Beasties.
“Hot Sauce Committee Part 2” is pure, unadulterated hip-hop glory. After a disappointing release from Lupe Fiasco, it’s nice to have a hip-hop album that lives up to its hype. “Hot Sauce Committee Part 2” is available digitally and in stores nationwide.
Leave a Reply