Licensed to Ill

Man, this is extremely sexist, but I can't help but enjoy it? Perhaps it's because I know by the next album the Beastie Boys were apologizing for the lyrical content of this album, but even after listening to stuff like the Chronic and the Marshal Mathers LP, this one feels even more apparent than those, even though it definitely comes off as more delinquent-y in this album than those. Just something to note before I praise the rest of the album. The absolute joy the (albeit cheesy) lyrics, the flow between the three, and the samples/beats really bringing it all together makes it super clear why this album is so important to rap, especially for the era. I could totally see comparing this to anything modern and laughing (as I said, it's almost childlike in it's attitude), but it really adds to the whole mood. Not to mention how many lyrics here I reference without even thinking about it constantly, just because they stick in your head so easily. My only fault here as mentioned before is the lyrical content, but it's such a stellar groundwork for more Beastie Boys albums to come that it certainly won't keep me up at night. It's also extremely good at blending genres, bringing in a lot of hard rock influences that I can only assume helped the album really take off, being the first rap album to be on the billboard top 200. I don't think this is my favorite rap album (I don't think it's even my favorite Beastie Boys album), but it certainly is very good. Very, very high 4 star. Would get a 5 if not for lyrics and perhaps not changing quite enough near the end (they kind of use all of there metal influences in one fell swoop in the middle). Both of these I think will be addressed in the other albums by them on this list.

Fun, classic album. I know the hits, but I'm not sure I ever listened to the entire album. The Run-DMC influence is very clear, and not just because of Paul Revere (co-written with them) or Slow and Low (Run-DMC cover). The combination of hard rock and rap is what makes the album. Run-DMC was also doing this at the same time, which could lead to questions of cultural appropriation, but it sounds like Run-DMC had mutual respect for the Beasties and they toured together, not to mention Rick Rubin was producing and co-writing for both acts. It's a great album, but I'm giving it a 4 rather than a 5 mainly for many moments of cheesiness and some homophobia and misogyny. Favorite tracks: Rhymin' and Stealin' (love the combination of When the Levee Breaks and Black Sabbath's Sweet Leaf), Fight for Your Right (classic - funny to read that it was meant to parody party songs and became the ultimate part song), No Sleep Till Brooklyn (cool track + Kerry King from Slayer), Paul Revere (love the backwards groove), and Slow and Low.

Can see why this is on the list due to its impact and influence, but not for me, think it sounds really dated now. Not an album I’d choose to listen to again.

Beastie Boys are inseperable from my adolescence. They certainly embody a certain amount of immaturity at this stage in their career, and to some that might be a turn off, but I see it as part of their charm. They're just kids playing around and having fun in the largely unchartered territory of a blossoming new genre in the middle of it's major breakthrough into the mainstream. The main thing is I think they are being true to themselves and who they were at the time. They present a brash, cocky, immature, irresponsible, unrealistic sort of fantasy world projection that sounds fun as hell. It's very clear they're just messing about and making up ridiculous shit to crack each other up. The fun they had making this album is palpable and I find it contagious. I love the Run DMC-like way they finish each other's lines and back each other up for emphasis. They stuck to that technique throughout their career even after it eventually fell out of fashion but I think it speaks to their connection as songwriters, performers, and even as people. You can tell they enjoyed working together and shared a wavelength. Musically I'm a sucker for the 808 sound and I love the dominance of guitar samples that give it that rock punch. Beyond this album I love their wild career trajectory, from their early punk formation, to this album's golden era hip hop sound, to the hyper-collage of Paul's Boutique, to the genre bending albums that came afterwards which I consider their peak. I enjoyed this one but I look forward to hearing more of their albums on this list.