This record! Whew! I don't know where to start, other than none of us were ready for it. Not many records can truly upend a genre the way this one did.
Hard to pick a fave, but Eggman, The Sounds of Science, and Looking Down The Barrel are all right up there. Hey Ladies, too, of course.
I’m curious, since this was slightly before my time: What made it a commercial flop? Because it was so radical? Looking Down the Barrel might be my fav, or High Plains Drifter. That bassline is crazyyyy
I think it wasn't designed to be commercial at all. Other than Hey Ladies there isn't an obvious single. The whole 1st haf of it is flowin' without no stoppin'. Tracks just morph on a dime to something completely different. Only real hip hop heads were gonna "get" it.
Totally agree. This is a fantastic album. I do think that bands like the Beastie Boys would have a harder time today. I wasn’t fan immediately but at the time of release music still had the time to grow on you.
That’s a fantastic point about music having the time to grow on you. We live in a world where tens of thousands of tracks are uploaded daily. Who knows if PB would’ve had the same time to organically find its way with fans if it came out today?
I agree. Your insights into the album's innovative sampling and the Beastie Boys creative journey are spot on. The references to Miles Davis and the Dust Brothers' unique production make this a fantastic read for any hip-hop enthusiast...like me, really.
One of the greatest moments in radio history is when KEXP did a breakdown of everything sampled on Paul's Boutique. Incredible listen.
https://www.kexp.org/breakdown/paulsboutique/
Terrific stuff 👌
This is awesome! I've bookmarked it.
After 35 years this can still rock a house party at the drop of a hat.
I think I like Check Your Head just as much, but there's none better.
I’m right there with you, Check Your Head is a close second. Like, incredibly close.
This record! Whew! I don't know where to start, other than none of us were ready for it. Not many records can truly upend a genre the way this one did.
Hard to pick a fave, but Eggman, The Sounds of Science, and Looking Down The Barrel are all right up there. Hey Ladies, too, of course.
I’m curious, since this was slightly before my time: What made it a commercial flop? Because it was so radical? Looking Down the Barrel might be my fav, or High Plains Drifter. That bassline is crazyyyy
I think it wasn't designed to be commercial at all. Other than Hey Ladies there isn't an obvious single. The whole 1st haf of it is flowin' without no stoppin'. Tracks just morph on a dime to something completely different. Only real hip hop heads were gonna "get" it.
And to think how many hip-hop producers still steal from this LP, whether they know it or not …
I think we were all waiting for/expecting License To Ill Part 2.
Where I lived, there was this dude that did a little DJing, and he swore it was gonna be an all-timer. We we skeptical, but time has proven him right.
He clearly had taste 👌
Wholeheartedly agree. Hands down the best Beastie Boys album. When CDs were a thing, my copy never left my case. Great article!
Permanent CD case residency—what an honor!
Matt Dike forever!!!
<3
Totally agree. This is a fantastic album. I do think that bands like the Beastie Boys would have a harder time today. I wasn’t fan immediately but at the time of release music still had the time to grow on you.
That’s a fantastic point about music having the time to grow on you. We live in a world where tens of thousands of tracks are uploaded daily. Who knows if PB would’ve had the same time to organically find its way with fans if it came out today?
I agree. Your insights into the album's innovative sampling and the Beastie Boys creative journey are spot on. The references to Miles Davis and the Dust Brothers' unique production make this a fantastic read for any hip-hop enthusiast...like me, really.
Thanks Jon!
They’re neck and neck for me as the best Beasties record. PB probs wins out due to that ambition you cited.