Licensed to Ill

Great if immature debut. Fun, but they've got better records

3/5. My personal least favorite Beastie Boys album on the list. This is when they were at their most “Frat-Rap” which is a style that tends to get annoying pretty fast for me and that slight annoyance definitely seeps into a few of the deep cuts on here. That being said the hits on here are as big as they are for a reason, and they make the album worth it. but I still prefer the sample-heavy madness of Paul’s Boutique of the punk energy of Ill Communication over this album.

I seriously don't understand why people like this. I will admit, it's perfectly fine. Like, I wouldn't tell someone to turn off Beastie Boys. I might even play them on my own sometimes. A few songs at a time though.

This album is full of bad rhymes and that annoying thing where one person sings a whole line except for the last word that a lot of people sing. That's every song. Literally. Why. It's not funny, it's not cool, there's a lot of samples so any good part isn't even their doing.

I am 6 songs into the album as I'm writing this. I know I like a couple upcoming songs, but already this is going to be a low score. Nothing can save it, not even the Guardians of the Galaxy.

Alright, No Sleep Till Brooklyn is great. But still. Again, the album is just perfectly fine and not for me. But I don't get how anyone has any better opinions of this album than that. If you love this album, I'm happy for you.

I didn't know this was from 1986, it sounds a bit newer. Very influential record, both for rock and rap. If you think of the nu metal era, I am sure this is one of the main inspirations behind that. Cool album.

A classic but the lyrics....

I liked this album in 6th grade and I'm disappointed to say this album sounds pretty immature after you hit puberty. I have an appreciation for its place in rap/rock history, but it's just way too fratty and gross. The lyrics are not just sexist, they're downright rapey at times. I consider myself a Beastie Boys apologist, but this record is a bridge too far.

Without looking you can tell this is Beasties Boys’ debut because the blend of hip hop and rock is not as refined as what comes later. They are still building their rapping abilities and their music doesn’t sprawl and stretch into the different sub-genres (i.e. hardcore punk) that make later records such a delight.

Having said that, the track list is home to plenty of treats, especially in the middle of the record. The barbershop quartet-esque Girls is absolutely brilliant and seems to come from nowhere, a nice contrast with the energetic breakout hit single that follows Fight For Your Right, which acts as their rawdy mission statement. You can see how these boys whipped up so much excitement among the teens!

I think it's safe to assume on my part, on my second Beastie Boys 1001 listen, that I'm just not really a fan of what they do and likely never will be.

This was way too confrontational and "in your face" for me vocally for large spells, and whilst the rap-rock fusion and lyricism occasionally yielded some compelling ideas and cool links/through lines to other artists in mainstream rock culture, it didn't provide enough reward to offset the fatiguing nature of the listening experience.

100 down still much more to go

Classic album, though it feels like it doesn't really live up to the age that has passed since.

Frat rap full of party anthems that makes great use of the TR-808 and rock beats. Reminds me of Run DMC (3.5-4).

lol why did i spend my 8th grade listening to Im the Man by Anthrax?

Pretty solid but not their final form.

This album is pure fun.

This album is big and dumb and problematic, but I love it. When I was too tired to think as a new parent, I could always remember the words to "Paul Revere"

I'm an elder Millennial and Beastie Boys is party vibes

I get the Beastie Boys are somewhat iconic but this sounds like pretty basic stuff. Simple, childish lyricism paired with with simple, childish beats. Purposely immature and bratty. Theres fun to be had but little to no depth. Great album cover.

Fun album.

I’ve always enjoyed Beastie Boys in small doses, and I always tend to lose patience with this one as soon as I hit Brass Monkey. It’d probably get 5/5 for me if it ended there.

No doubting the cultural influence it has had.
Is it a favourite of mine? Absolutely not, but you have to give it a nod.

An excellent cameo from Slayer's Kerry King on a couple of tracks.