#125 Beastie Boys, 'Paul's Boutique' (1989)

Previously #156

Three years since their debut record, ‘Licenced To Ill’ (#192), the band had fallen out with that album’s producer, Rick Rubin, as well as his label, Def Jam. Critics had assumed the band was a one-hit-wonder and labelled their debut as frat Hip Hop. On this, the follow up record, the band, newly signed to Capitol Records, had drastically decided to change their sound. This album forged a new frontier in samplology. Produced by the Dust Brothers, the album features a total of 105 different songs sampled. They managed to weave a tapestry of sounds to completely create a collection of new songs. This is all before the brilliant rapping of Mike D, MCA and Ad-Rock.

On their debut, the band ran the risk of becoming a gimmick band, but with this album, they reinvented themselves to present a masterpiece of a record. This album is one big funky party from start to finish filled with so many music references and in-jokes, a book could be written on it alone. The album, that has been referenced as the ‘Sgt. Pepper’s’ of Hip Hop, samples two songs from that record on ‘The Sounds Of Science,’ as well as a track from The Beatles’ ‘White Album.’ The samples range from The Beatles to James Brown (what’s a Hip Hop record with out him?), The Eagles & The Band to The Ramones, The Commodores to Deep Purple. Artists that shouldn’t work together but do. It’s a testament to how well this album was executed. To be honest, I was a little disappointed when it finished. Last countdown was the first time I’d ever listened to this record and it immediately became one of my favourites. I’ve mentioned it before, but I’ll say it again, I strongly recommend the Beastie Boys documentary on Apple TV+. It’s beautiful and emotional and hilarious and brilliant.

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