The Beastie Boys' Paul's Boutique (33 1/3) (Paperback)

~ Dan Leroy (Author)
Key Phrases: new album, Beastie Boys, Paul's Boutique, Mike Simpson (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"'A brilliant series of pocket-sized books focussing on a classic album. Each one a work of real love.' NME"

Product Description

Not only did Paul's Boutique transform the Beastie Boys from frat-boy novelty to critically lauded hip-hop giants, its groundbreaking collage of rhyme and recycled soundbites made it one of those rare releases that forever alters the course of popular music. Through interviews with Mike D, the Dust Brothers, and legendarily reclusive producer Matt Dike, among others, Dan LeRoy uncovers the story of this outrageous era in Beastie history.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 129 pages
• Publisher: Continuum (March 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0826417418
• ISBN-13: 978-0826417411
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 4.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #30,433 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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• This item is part of The Thirty Three and a Third Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Meticulously researched, masterfully written, February 25, 2006

By	Big Daddy Cat "Big Daddy" (Pixberg, PA USA) - See all my reviews

One of the best books ever written detailing the inspiration, creation, and on-going influence of a work of popular music. Leroy's thorough (almost obsessive) research and reporting, combined with his razor-sharp skills as a creative writer, offer a fitting tribute to one of the most interesting works of modern popular music of the late 20th century. If you don't own this book and the album it celebrates...well, YOU SHOULD!

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book. The entire 33 1/3 series should be this solid., June 11, 2006

By	D.X. Ferris - See all my reviews

LeRoy does an excellent, thorough job covering everything you'd hope he'd cover about the making of Paul's Boutique: The people behind the disc, including musicians, producers, and record-company types. The circumstances that led up to the album. The story of the Beastie's protracted legal complications with Def Jam. How the tracks came together. The stories behind the songs. The Beasties' relationship with Capitol. The disc's initial disappointing commerical reception. Its eventual recognition as a masterwork. A song-by-song look at the disc. The promotional campaign (or lack thereof). A rundown of B-sides. Actual conversation with a Beasite. Actual scenes. It's all there.

33 1/3 is a decent series, but in too many of the books, you learn as much about the writer as you do about the album -- sometimes more. You get a bunch of "I was in college when this disc came out, and it STILL reminds me of my ex-girlfriend! Awesome!" or a collection of lengthy, speculative interpretations of the lyrics. Like a true pro, LeRoy writes about the subject and keeps himself out of the book. He even includes a full-on works cited list.

This is the best book I've read in the series.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Quick, enjoyable bit of legit rock journalism, May 3, 2006

By	Erik Ketzan (Orbis Tertius) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Paul's Boutique may be my favorite album of all time, but I'd never known much about its creation. In this excellently written (and never over-written) little book, Dan LeRoy has constructed the most complete narrative we'll probably ever get regarding the Dust Brothers, the Beasties, and their once-in-a-lifetime creative synergy.

This is from a series of books by 33 1/3, each one devoted to a landmark album in the history of pop music. Paul's Boutique is the first I've read, and although I've heard mixed reviews on others, particularly those that emphasize the author's subjective theories and interpretations of the albums, this one is pure journalism-- lots of well-researched facts and entertaining memories from most of the people involved: the Beasties (mostly Mike D.), their producers, managers, promoters, and friends.