Beastie Boys mix a great blend with Hello Nasty

By Jake Brooks

Since the 80's, the Beastie Boys have entertained with a unique blend of rap and pop with songs like "Girls," "Brass Monkey," and "Sabotage." Their album "Licensed to Ill" became one of the first rap albums to top the pop charts. Now they have a new album, Hello Nasty.

Hello Nasty debuted at the number one spot in six countries, including the United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia. In Japan and Canada, the record has been one of the most successful of the year, and Billboard Charts deemed as platinum. The Boys' new album, "Hello Nasty",has the same kind of vocal style that their fans savor: songs with heavy distortion and sound effects that add to the versatility of the music. The two songs frequently played on the radio ("Intergalactic" and "Remote Control") are perfect examples of how distortion and techno beats are used to enhance the music. The techno is an interesting addition to their usual style, making the album a lovely rejuvenation of the current pop scene, which in recent years has been stale and routine.

The band experiments with a more casual approach to some of their songs, which help make this the most diverse sounding Beastie Boys record to date. Their explosive style has been winning over fans for years. "Three MC's and One DJ" is a refreshing song that dares to blends traditional turntable rap and a breed of alternative rock hinted with ska.

The album has twenty-two tracks. There are no real bad songs on the album. I recommend the addition of "Hello Nasty" to your CD collection -- it is a dynamic, intense and high energy album. Some of the better songs are "Super Disco Breakin" "The Move" "Remote Control" "Body Movin'" "Intergalactic," "Sneakin' Out the Hospital" "Three MC's and One DJ" "I Don't Know" and "Instant Death." This music is an must for a cool backyard party or to breathe some fresh air into a dull, hot Sacramento afternoon. And in my opinion they'll play "Intergalactic" at every dance for the next few months.

The Beastie Boys are bringing their brilliant beats to sell-out crowds all over the country. What makes the Beastie Boys such a special case is the fact that they have been able to preserve under the ever changing world of pop music. Their "sampling" technique has gained scrutiny as illegitimate, but the fact that they have done it so well for so long keeps it fresh. Hello Nasty is a must buy for anyone who loves the awesome, rhythmic music of the Beastie Boys or wants to experience their music for the first time.