Check Your Head

Way better than expected, so watcha want nostalgia brought me in and I stayed

Not my favorite album from them but it's still great. I appreciate that they went in a less sample-centric direction here instead of just coasting.

I feel like somehow the Beasties became more fun as they became more mature and confident. This doesn't quite hit the same heights as "Hello Nasty," but it feels like a party nonetheless.

80s style boom bap beats but with rock and hardcore riff samples instead of soul breaks. DJ scratching all over the place, some cool jazzy basslines and organs/flutes that give it a Native Tongues feel. Pretty much all delivered in their signature flow with 3 guys yelling the rhyming word at the end of the line. They've moved on from the novelty hits like girls and fight for your right, and getting a bit more experimental pushing the production further on this album. They have a great combined best of, but their albums are really laden with filler.

Another Beastie Boys album, really? First it was Wilco, now this. Though just like the Wilco album, I actually rather liked this.

I think this album is comparable to Ill Communication from the books, it takes the Beastie Boys in a more rock direction but still staying true to hip-hop. It even has a random foray into psychedelia at the end of the album. Lyrically it's the same as every other album Beastie Boys have ever made, if you like it you like it.

Should it be in the main list: No, Beastie Boys have three already. I'd prefer this to Licence to I'll though.

Top 3 songs: Pass the Mic, Gratitude, Finger Lickin' Good

A totally great album. Though I think I still prefer Paul's Boutique.

Favourite songs: So What'Cha Want, The Maestro, Live at P.J.'s, Finger Lickin' Good, Pass the Mic, Stand Together, Pow, Professor Booty, Gratitude, Groove Holmes, In 3's

Least favourite songs: Lighten Up, The Biz Vs. The Nuge

4/5

Much groovier than I'm used to from them. Tough to rate, because on the one hand, they're undeniable, but also they got so much exposure on the main list that I dunno if I needed them to come up on the users albums..

ahhh who am I kidding, this was great. 5 stars.

Another Beasite Boys albums? Oh go one then.

Yes. I was just listening to this last week! This is where they really started to expand their sound and display their musicianship. Wish more people followed this model for how to combine rap and rock than what came to eventually dominate.