So you know ”Fight For Your Right” and ”Sabotage”. What more is there to know about the Beastie Boys?
A lot.
The Beastie Boys’ roots are in New York. They began their careers in 1981 as a punk band but by 1986’s Licensed To Ill, their focus had morphed to a hip-hop sound with a punk attitude. That album, with the help of super producer Rick Rubin, would go on to make the band the first hit rap album ever. The three members of the Beastie Boys have been constant through most of the band’s 20 year career. Mike Diamond (Mike D.), Adam Yauch (MCA), and Adam Horowitz (Ad-Rock) have changed the face of rap music forever. With each album, they add new elements and manage to impress more people.
By 1989’s Paul’s Boutique, listeners were convinced that the Beastie Boys were pompous posers. But, that album proved that there was more than just fun and rebellion in their blood. Paul’s Boutique proved to be more a critical success than a commercial one. Check Your Head (1992)and Ill Communication (1994) both popular in critical circles and among fans. Most notable is ”Sabotage”…a song gained interest thanks in part to a great Spike Jonze directed video.
The EP Root Down came about in 1995 following a tour in Europe. Seven of the tracks were recorded live during this time, while three are studio/mix versions of the hit ”Root Down”. This isn’t necessarily the best example of Beastie Boys music, but it is a necessary addition to any collection of their music.
I’m not a fan of live music in general. On occasion, a live track may prove worthwhile, but generally the tracks are sub par. I’m sad to have to admit this, but the live tracks on Root Down are not exempt from the issues usually presented by live tracks. The only saving graces of this EP are the three versions of ”Root Down”. But, if you don’t like the original version, you’re not going to like the two remixes.
The first three tracks are the versions of ”Root Down”:
1. Root Down - (free zone mix)
2. Root Down - (LP)
3. Root Down - (PP balloon mix)
Without a doubt, the best of these is the original (from Ill Communication). Besides that track, the other two are also decent remixes…just not as entertaining or interesting. The free zone mix is low and musically sparse. It sounds like somebody is playing a cheesy keyboard and drum machine. The rapping is of course great (as usual), but the lack of beat detracts from what is otherwise a great track. The PP balloon mix is better. It’s loud and obnoxious with hollow beats and a hip hop feel. It also sounds as though it’s being played from a record with the cracks and pops characteristic of the medium.
The album version also features the deconstructed feel I’ve already talked about. The cracks and pops are light and accented by a great bass guitar. The threesome sounds great with their energetic and obnoxious rap style. Also of note is the seventies-porn feel of some of the musical elements. This is a must listen track, but you’re probably better off buying Ill Communication than this EP.
As I already mentioned, there are seven live tracks:
4. Time To Get Ill - (live)
5. Heart Attack Man - (live)
6. Maestro, The - (live)
7. Sabrosa - (live)
8. Flute Loop - (live)
9. Time For Livin' - (live)
10. Something's Got To Give - (live)
As a whole, these are weak tracks. Live songs almost never sound as good as their originals (save for a few classic touring rock bands that will remain nameless). ”Time To Get Ill” is a decent track, but the live nature really detracts from the great mechanical groove of the beats. But then there is the half-hearted attempt at punk presented in ”Heart Attack Man”. There’s nothing to hear. The vocals and guitars are all mixed together to the point that neither is distinguishable. This is a horrible example of Beastie Boys music.
”The Maestro” is okay, not great. The beats are traditional B-Boys, but it’s again difficult to listen to. Since the track was recorded live, there is little that can be done in post-production to improve the actual sound of the song. Basically, it sucks.
”Sabrosa” suffers the same fate. Sure the beats are round and groovy, but it lacks direction and sheen like the original. Honestly, almost totally instrumental tracks don’t transfer well into live performances…even by the Beastie Boys. ”Flute Loop” is an experimental sort of track from the beginning. The featured flute really proves to be a strange, but welcome addition to the track. Think about it…how often do you hear a rap song featuring a flute? Anyway, I still prefer the original to the live version. The song sounds so much better in surround.
The final two tracks also seriously suck. ”Time For a Livin’” is another homage to their New York punk roots. It’s too bad that I have a problem taking them seriously as a punk band. I prefer their alt-rap-rock songs to this one. It is too fast and broken for it’s own good. Finally, ”Something’s Got To Give” is supposed to be slow and melodic. All of the samples and mixed noise is annoying. Most notable is the video game whine that ruins any semblance of a good track. Please, for your own good, just skip this track.
Finally, at the end of the tenth track there’s a special little secret addition. It’s what could be a remake or advertising for ”So Watcha Want” from some strange Asian group. It’s short, but novel. Hey, it’s better than some of the live tracks on Root Down anyway.
As you can see, I don’t really enjoy this attempt at a live album. Sure, I like the three versions of ”Root Down”, but the live tracks are at best mediocre. The two worthy of any attention are ”Time To Get Ill” and ”Flute Loop”. Besides those five tracks, this EP is a bust. It’s very painful for me to give Beastie Boys a bad rating…but, I must. This deserves just 2/5 stars. Although, I will conditionally recommend it. If you really, really, really enjoy the Beastie Boys, this album is a must own. If you just simply ‘like’ them, pick up ANY of their full length LP’s over this EP.
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