The last review was a Rush album that didn't really fit the mold. The next disc is a Beastie Boys album that also doesn't really fit the mold.
Disc 185 is...The Mix Up
Artist: Beastie Boys
Year of Release: 2007
What’s Up With The Cover?: Some kind of Beastie Boys version of a Rube Goldberg machine? Among the other questions this cover conjures up - how did they get the seahorse in the watercooler? and Will the Beastie Boys be ground up into sausage? We don't know, and we don't want to know. Just enjoy the artistry of the machine - function is secondary.
How I Came To Know It: I was a Beastie Boys fan when this came out, so I bought it - with full knowledge it was an instrumental album.
How It Stacks Up: I have all nine Beastie Boys albums that I know of. This one is hard to rate against all the others, but I'll say it is 7th or 8th depending on how I'm feeling it stacks up against the other all-instrumental album.
Rating: 2 stars
"The Mix Up" is the Beastie Boys second completely instrumental album - the first being 1996's "The In Sound From Way Out!" Even though this is their second kick at the can, "The Mix Up" is still a brave departure, given the success achieved by the more traditional rap album that preceded it ("To The 5 Burroughs").
This album isn't for everyone - it isn't even for every Beastie Boys fan, but it is an impressive undertaking. The 3 Beasties, known for their furious raps, once again branch out - including playing instruments beyond the usual 'two turntables and a microphone' which is the limit of many rappers' ability.
Mike D plays the drums, Adam Horovitz plays guitar and Adam Yauch plays bass (both horizontal and upright). Are they brilliant players? No, they are not - but they are competent, and they demonstrate their ability to right a catchy groove many times over on this record.
They also show a nice patience to let the songs develop slowly from a simple collection of notes, into a complex groove. Each song lets this happen slowly at a careful pace. The songs feel nicely planned out, and they avoid excessive noodling, with none of the tracks over 4 minutes in length.
For all the obvious talent, and the bravery to do this a second time, this album doesn't grab me emotionally. It is very groovy, but I feel like it would be better suited to background music in an action movie.
So even though this album does not noodle, displays talent and courage, and even keeps itself to a mere 12 tracks, I couldn't go above 2 stars. It might actually be better than that critically, but the Odyssey is about my reaction to the music, and I'm going to say OK, but not great.
Best tracks: Electric Worm.
Disc 185 is...The Mix Up
Artist: Beastie BoysYear of Release: 2007
What’s Up With The Cover?: Some kind of Beastie Boys version of a Rube Goldberg machine? Among the other questions this cover conjures up - how did they get the seahorse in the watercooler? and Will the Beastie Boys be ground up into sausage? We don't know, and we don't want to know. Just enjoy the artistry of the machine - function is secondary.
How I Came To Know It: I was a Beastie Boys fan when this came out, so I bought it - with full knowledge it was an instrumental album.
How It Stacks Up: I have all nine Beastie Boys albums that I know of. This one is hard to rate against all the others, but I'll say it is 7th or 8th depending on how I'm feeling it stacks up against the other all-instrumental album.
Rating: 2 stars
"The Mix Up" is the Beastie Boys second completely instrumental album - the first being 1996's "The In Sound From Way Out!" Even though this is their second kick at the can, "The Mix Up" is still a brave departure, given the success achieved by the more traditional rap album that preceded it ("To The 5 Burroughs").
This album isn't for everyone - it isn't even for every Beastie Boys fan, but it is an impressive undertaking. The 3 Beasties, known for their furious raps, once again branch out - including playing instruments beyond the usual 'two turntables and a microphone' which is the limit of many rappers' ability.
Mike D plays the drums, Adam Horovitz plays guitar and Adam Yauch plays bass (both horizontal and upright). Are they brilliant players? No, they are not - but they are competent, and they demonstrate their ability to right a catchy groove many times over on this record.
They also show a nice patience to let the songs develop slowly from a simple collection of notes, into a complex groove. Each song lets this happen slowly at a careful pace. The songs feel nicely planned out, and they avoid excessive noodling, with none of the tracks over 4 minutes in length.
For all the obvious talent, and the bravery to do this a second time, this album doesn't grab me emotionally. It is very groovy, but I feel like it would be better suited to background music in an action movie.
So even though this album does not noodle, displays talent and courage, and even keeps itself to a mere 12 tracks, I couldn't go above 2 stars. It might actually be better than that critically, but the Odyssey is about my reaction to the music, and I'm going to say OK, but not great.
Best tracks: Electric Worm.
1 comment:
The cover reminds me of The Beatles' "Yellow Submarine".
I am not really into the Beasties' instrumental stuff, but like you, I admire their competency (is that a back-handed compliment or what?) and willingness to try something different.
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