Beastie Boys
To The 5 Boroughs

THE REVIEW

The premises were impressive.
A video that feels like a war (in a pos. sense) and "ch-check it out" pounding with relentless rapping, bursts of scratched horns, basses like punching bags.
But, if you know a thing or two about bangs, this one should shake the neighborhood, the tracks start, then a half burst (the wrapper opened a bit) and a half-empty thud. A bit of a flop.
Let’s be clear, it’s a hard and pure album, super old-school (haven’t they done it before?), but precisely because of that, it’s unlikely to be that much fun, unless you’re super in-the-know.

I read that this album is "animated by a sense of New York belonging." Exactly. I’m not from New York, and the most explosive incidents in my area are shutters blown up for intimidation (actually, the city is so dead that those don’t even happen anymore).
So yes, the intro of "Shaft" is an UNESCO heritage ("triple drouble"), you can catch some nice quotes (still "triple drouble" - Sugarhill Gang), but the other 1500 not really, so I judge the album independently from hypertextual references.
Many nice details, digital touches ("3 the hard way"), more imaginative articulation of voices than in the past (as always), robotic voices introducing the MCs ("oh word?"). Nothing obvious, though: it’s a "stylish" album and demands a lot of attention.
Unless you plan to use it as a base for gym exercises to get a perfect beach physique (?) or as a "cool" support to snort coke in the jeep.

Sarcasm aside, it’s a bit like coffee, delightful to drink a cup (maybe 3 a day...) but chugging 15 or 16 is for masochists or caffeine addicts. And, while we’re at it, it reminded me of "Coffee and Cigarettes": dry, 40% fun, 50% boring, a few flashes of poetry, and the feeling that I would have enjoyed the episodes more by watching a couple at a time.

Rating: 3/4 or 4 (in the right listening mode).
But make sure to catch the concerts!