#261 Beastie Boys, 'Check Your Head' (1992)

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In the mid-to-late ‘80s, Beastie Boys were known for their sample-heavy rap records but with this, their third album, they made a return to their punk roots and played their own instruments for the first time ever on a full-length Beastie Boys LP. The album cover depicts the band sitting with their instrument cases on the sidewalk illustrating this return. That’s not to say there aren’t samples on this record at all. Opening track, a tribute to Jimi Hendrix, samples ‘Happy Birthday’ and ‘Foxy Lady.’ Lead single, ‘Pass The Mic’ sampled ‘Choir’ by Jazz flautist, James Newton. The samples was unlicenced but a judget ruled that as only 6 seconds and 3 notes were used, it was too small to need a licence. The album also includes one of my favourite Beastie Boys songs evers, ‘So What’cha Want.’ ‘Time For Livin’’ is a short, fast, loud punk song which wouldn’t be out of place on a Black Flag record. ‘Pow’ is a funky jam in the vein of Parliament-Funkadelic. And then there’s ‘Groove Holmes,’ a Jazzy number, which just goes to show what a musically diverse record this is.

This album is a great showcase for the band’s talents and makes great strides to prove that they’re not simply a one trick pony. While the album hops around from genre to genre, it works. No track feels out of place or jarring. I had never listened to this album previously and I’m glad I did. A few months ago I watched the Beastie Boys documentary on Apple TV+ and I couldn’t recommend it more. A really great story of three talented dudes.

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