Beastie Boys: Ill Communication (CD)

First time around, Beastie Boys were written off as more of Presley's snot-nosed ancestors, shamelessly appropriating breaking black musical styles. Then, after creating an undisputable hip-hop masterpiece (1989's Paul's Boutique), they were tossed aside because they'd seemingly lost their commercial value. But now, having successfully made their 'new style' over and debuted it at number 1, the only thing the Beastie Boys could be crticised for their media over-exposure.

The pleasures of Ill Communication's 20 tracks come when they visit the old school - whether with DJ Hurricane on the wheels of steel in 'Sure Shot,' or freestyling classic Beastie rhymes with Q-Tip on 'Get It Together.' or when they turn that classroom on its ear by replacing the samples and machine-beats with live jams.

Ill Communication goes further to define the parameters of a twentysomething community than any other commercially successful record in recent memory.

1. Sure Shot 
2. Tough Guy 
3. B-Boys Makin' With The Freak Freak 
4. Bobo On The Corner 
5. Root Down 
6. Sabotage 
7. Get It Together 
8. Sabrosa 
9. The Update 
10. Futterman's Rule 
11. Alright Hear This 
12. Eugene's Lament 
13. Flute Loop 
14. Do It 
15. Ricky's Theme 
16. Heart Attack Man 
17. The Scoop 
18. Shambala 
19. Bodhisattva Vow
20. Transitions