New Album Review: Beastie Boys 'Hot Sauce Committee Part Two'

New York's favorite Jewish-born rappers, Michael Diamond (Mike D), Adam Yauch (MCA), and Adam Horovitz (Ad-Rock), the Beastie Boys, return to their funky roots on their first album in over seven years, Hot Sauce Committee Part Two. While this album may not contain the sampling techniques found on Paul’s Boutique, or be considered a party record like License to Ill or Check Your Head, the Beastie's offer a solid 44 minutes of all the elements you love and 'know so well.'  It's hard to believe it's been three decades, but the Beastie Boys remain a vigilant force and a breath of fresh air to today's stale hip-hop.

If this makes any sense, Hot Sauce Committee Part Two sounds surprisingly familiar while new at the same time.  I have been on board with the Beasties since License to Ill provided hope for my rap aspirations back in the late 80s, and after a few listens, found the new record highly enjoyable. 

The Beastie’s eighth studio effort is a spectacle to behold as there are far too many sounds, lyrical bombardments, and techniques to write a review that does this album justice.  You really need to 'ch-ch-ch check it out' for yourself.  As a result, Hot Sauce Committee Part Two does what many people hoped for-it sounds the return of the (surprisingly young sounding) Beasties in present day with a nice 80s retro vibe. 

'Lee Majors Come Again”, 'Say It", “Long Burn the Fire”, and “Nonstop Disco Powerpack” are a few of the many highlights found on this record. 

Showbiz Kids Rating: 9 out of possible 10

(Listen to Hot Sauce Committee Part Two in full, right here.)

New Album Review: Beastie Boys 'Hot Sauce Committee Part Two'

New York's favorite Jewish-born rappers, Michael Diamond (Mike D), Adam Yauch (MCA), and Adam Horovitz (Ad-Rock), the Beastie Boys, return to their funky roots on their first album in over seven years, Hot Sauce Committee Part Two. While this album may not contain the sampling techniques found on Paul’s Boutique, or be considered a party record like License to Ill or Check Your Head, the Beastie's offer a solid 44 minutes of all the elements you love and 'know so well.'  It's hard to believe it's been three decades, but the Beastie Boys remain a vigilant force and a breath of fresh air to today's stale hip-hop.

If this makes any sense, Hot Sauce Committee Part Two sounds surprisingly familiar while new at the same time.  I have been on board with the Beasties since License to Ill provided hope for my rap aspirations back in the late 80s, and after a few listens, found the new record highly enjoyable. 

The Beastie’s eighth studio effort is a spectacle to behold as there are far too many sounds, lyrical bombardments, and techniques to write a review that does this album justice.  You really need to 'ch-ch-ch check it out' for yourself.  As a result, Hot Sauce Committee Part Two does what many people hoped for-it sounds the return of the (surprisingly young sounding) Beasties in present day with a nice 80s retro vibe. 

'Lee Majors Come Again”, 'Say It", “Long Burn the Fire”, and “Nonstop Disco Powerpack” are a few of the many highlights found on this record. 

Showbiz Kids Rating: 9 out of possible 10

(Listen to Hot Sauce Committee Part Two in full, right here.)

Lost In The Weeds - Forgotten Music

I had the opportunity a few weeks back to talk really briefly with fellow Showbiz Kid, Mike, while waiting in line at Record Store day. He's a vinyl guy, and I'm not, but we acknowledge the fact that some media will have to die as others come into general acceptance. Nobody's suggesting that eight track or beta tapes are superior anymore. They served their purposes and now they are gone, largely forgotten and even completely unknown by newer generations. And that's ok. Technology has made newer media that's better, or more convenient, or both.

I also learned during that conversation that we share a love of jazz. I mentioned our conversation was brief, so that's as detailed a comment as I can make on the subject at the moment - we love jazz. That says almost  nothing because of the scope of the subject. What kind of jazz? Any particular eras, or artists? What's Mike's stance on fusion? Free jazz? I look forward to many more conversations about the subject.

But, I couldn't help but make a connection between the two topics: changing music media and jazz (or any other style of music). They change, and sometimes they are forgotten and left to die.

As a happy accident, last year I stumbled upon the Blue Sky Boys, a country music duo consisting of brothers Earl and Bill Bolick. The Blue Sky Boys recorded between 1936 and 1975. This is Appalachia, country, Americana music. This is "O Brother, Where Art Thou" territory.

For your consideration, is "Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone."

They just don't make music like this anymore. It doesn't test well, doesn't sell well, it's not cool, it doesn't light 'em up on American Idol.

I get that. It's unlikely that music like this will ever enjoy a resurgence like vinyl has in recent years. But that also means without any new torch bearers, music like this will be forgotten, existing "only in the classical records department in your local public library," to borrow a quote from Elwood Blues.

That seems...tragic. A failure.

Who decides what parts of our culture are remembered? What's important to remember, to pass on? After CDs and MP3s there will be another popular music medium. But what music will make the transition?

Will we miss the music that doesn't make the cut? Will we even remember that it was?

Lost In The Weeds - Forgotten Music

I had the opportunity a few weeks back to talk really briefly with fellow Showbiz Kid, Mike, while waiting in line at Record Store day. He's a vinyl guy, and I'm not, but we acknowledge the fact that some media will have to die as others come into general acceptance. Nobody's suggesting that eight track or beta tapes are superior anymore. They served their purposes and now they are gone, largely forgotten and even completely unknown by newer generations. And that's ok. Technology has made newer media that's better, or more convenient, or both.

I also learned during that conversation that we share a love of jazz. I mentioned our conversation was brief, so that's as detailed a comment as I can make on the subject at the moment - we love jazz. That says almost  nothing because of the scope of the subject. What kind of jazz? Any particular eras, or artists? What's Mike's stance on fusion? Free jazz? I look forward to many more conversations about the subject.

But, I couldn't help but make a connection between the two topics: changing music media and jazz (or any other style of music). They change, and sometimes they are forgotten and left to die.

As a happy accident, last year I stumbled upon the Blue Sky Boys, a country music duo consisting of brothers Earl and Bill Bolick. The Blue Sky Boys recorded between 1936 and 1975. This is Appalachia, country, Americana music. This is "O Brother, Where Art Thou" territory.

For your consideration, is "Will You Miss Me When I'm Gone."

They just don't make music like this anymore. It doesn't test well, doesn't sell well, it's not cool, it doesn't light 'em up on American Idol.

I get that. It's unlikely that music like this will ever enjoy a resurgence like vinyl has in recent years. But that also means without any new torch bearers, music like this will be forgotten, existing "only in the classical records department in your local public library," to borrow a quote from Elwood Blues.

That seems...tragic. A failure.

Who decides what parts of our culture are remembered? What's important to remember, to pass on? After CDs and MP3s there will be another popular music medium. But what music will make the transition?

Will we miss the music that doesn't make the cut? Will we even remember that it was?

On the turntable this Sunday...Damn The Torpedoes

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers released their third album, Damn the Torpedoes in 1979. This was the first of three Petty albums released by the Backstreet Records label, distributed by MCA Records. The album was a huge commercial success for Tom Petty and peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 album chart.  Damn the Torpedoes remained on the Billboard album chart for over seven weeks and was only kept from #1 by Pink Floyd's The Wall.



Damn the Torpedoes produced two songs that made the top 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart: "Don't Do Me Like That" (#10) and "Refugee" (#15). New co-producer Jimmy Lovine helped improve the sonic quality of the recording and Damn the Torpedoes was ranked number 313 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

In case you ever wondered, the title is a reference to a famous quote by Admiral David Farragut: "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!"

On the turntable this Sunday...Damn The Torpedoes

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers released their third album, Damn the Torpedoes in 1979. This was the first of three Petty albums released by the Backstreet Records label, distributed by MCA Records. The album was a huge commercial success for Tom Petty and peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 album chart.  Damn the Torpedoes remained on the Billboard album chart for over seven weeks and was only kept from #1 by Pink Floyd's The Wall.



Damn the Torpedoes produced two songs that made the top 15 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart: "Don't Do Me Like That" (#10) and "Refugee" (#15). New co-producer Jimmy Lovine helped improve the sonic quality of the recording and Damn the Torpedoes was ranked number 313 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

In case you ever wondered, the title is a reference to a famous quote by Admiral David Farragut: "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!"

New Music Preview: Stevie Nicks' 'In Your Dreams'

Stevie Nicks returns with her seventh and first solo album in over ten years, In Your Dreams.  Stevie' voice has aged a bit, but she still sounds great on the new record, which is a mixed bag of sorts. "Annabel Lee" and "Cheaper Than Free" are among the standouts and one of the tracks, "Secret Love" is newly recorded outtake from Fleetwood Mac's classic Rumours album.  In Your Dreams will be released this Tuesday, May 3rd, but you can stream the album before here.