Customer Reviews

The Mix-Up

5 star:		(33)
4 star:		(22)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

More than likely you will fit into one of these three categories, each with a different take on this album:

1. You like the BB's as hip hop artists, especially the funny lyrics, and enjoy the old school beats. You like Hello Nasty and To the Five Boroughs more than Check Your Head. Chances are good that you won't care for this album---don't buy it.

2. Your favorite album is Check Your Head and you really like the funky instrumental interludes on that and other albums of that era. BUT, you are not an avid listener of funk/acid jazz and are not familiar with Medeski, Martin, and Wood, etc. You will probably like this album and should buy it.

3. You fit into Category 2 EXCEPT that you ARE familiar with MMW, recent collaborations by John Scofield, Grey Boy Allstars, etc. You will be disappointed in this album because it just doesn't measure up. Frankly, this album comes off as very amateurish and shows that, though the BB's have developed some chops, they can't pull off a full album of instrumentals. The interludes in Check Your Head were just that---interludes---and you can't support a full album on interlude music. Not being a hater---I love the BB's too---but check out any of Stanton Moore's albums and you will see exactly what I mean.

Another great release by the B-Boys which will stand the test of time yet be dismissed and criticized by those who insist on comparing it to previous releases. Everyone NOW says how great "Paul's Boutique", and "The In Sounds From Way Out" are, (and I agree - from day one) however, when first released THOSE were criticized for not being like previous B-Boy releases. It's unfortunate that the decline of an artist is often related to the public's inability to accept that true artists must try new things to grow and evolve. Repetition is nothing new.

You can hear how much fun the guys had recording this. It's a funky, fresh release. It's great chill out music. Buy "The Mix-Up" now; you won't regret it. Plus, you'll enjoy and appreciate it long before the Johnny-come-latelys come around and start singing its praises!

Wow, I can't believe the number of people that don't "get" this CD nor do I understand why people insist on saying that music is bad just because it wasn't what they expected. Then there are the people that compare one thing to something else just because it has a few similarities.

Maybe the Beasties weren't trying to sound like Medeski, Martin & Wood. Maybe they were just doing their own thing. Expanding on a sound and style they had already established if only hinted at on previous albums. And maybe you could write better music yourself right chief? I highly doubt it.

This is a great album and a natural progression from a band that has long since earned the right to do whatever they want to do. I hope this becomes a trend and we see more instrumental releases from them.

This is a sweet mix,beats and jams----no talking/rapping.
Sometimes you just want to hear music with a beat and jam minus the rapping,yapping and talking...you get all of this in this cd and than some.

Definitely has some unique sounds on the album. Stays true to their past instrumental style. People that say this album goes nowhere make me wonder where they want it to go. The music is well produced. You can definitely bob your head to it. If you liked their past instrumental stuff, then you will like this.

The Beastie Boys are just making music for the sake of music. As a long time fan, I know that they can't disappoint me. I like some of their music better than their other stuff. The Mix-Up is worth buying because it is just some good beastie style beats. Paul's Boutique isn't going to happen again. This album for sure will grow on you and it is great anytime music. This may also be a "warm up" album for something down the line. We'll see. All I know is that I wish they would do a show in Portland, OR again.

Wow. Some of the reviews on this page leave my mouth agape with wonder. What in the world is so very wrong with this album? There are a few that are saying there's "no fun' in this record or the 'dynamic is gone'(whatever that means).What record are you listening to? To all of you naysayers I say Fooey and double Fooey! THIS ALBUM IS GREAT. It's a groovy little record period. But that's all it is. It doesn't have to be the next Sgt. Peppers or Paul's Boutique or whatever. You have to take a look at it on it's own. I will say this for this album, no other band is making music like this right now. This is completly original music. Why aren't these guys given the chance to grow and expand? If you don't like this album fine, whatever. Go listen to your 12" of Brass Monkey until your parents kick you out of the basement.
For those of you out there who want something a little groovy and different, get it. Meanwhile I'm going to mix myself a gimlet and listen to a great little combo called the Beastie Boys. Their new album is cool as hell.

On what should be considered an EP, The Beastie Boys drop what I'd like to call a short but sweet instrumental album. There isn't much too it. It's just 12 tracks and clocks in at 42 minutes and 30 seconds. The sound is pretty light on substance, but they're quite melodic and easy to get into. There are a lot of different influences that can be heard, but they wrap them all together to make their own particular groovy goodness.

I can't think of any flaws on this album. I could complain about its length, or lack thereof, but that would be nitpicking. I did find "The Rat Race" and "Dramastically Different" to be sort of boring though. Everything else seems to flow very well. If you were expecting a 100% hip hop release, you may be in for a bit of a surprise. I found the diversity of the tracks to be quite enjoyable.

The Mix-Up isn't a bad album at all. Despite what others might say, I found it to be an enjoyable listen. The Beastie Boys rarely ever disappoint me and I don't think Beastie enthusiasts will be let down by this release either. I recommend adding this album to your music library

Standout Tracks: The Kangaroo Rat, The Melee, Electric Worm (My Favorite), 14th St. Break, The Gala Event, B For My Name, and Off the Grid

After the Beasties' last album, "To the 5 Boroughs", I wondered if they really had anything left to say on their records. What's a trio of 40-year-olds going to say via the hip-hop vehicle? If we want to continue to be entertained the Beastie Boys, we need to accept their development into new areas.

This is the perfect time for them to stop talking and showcase their musical talents - without sampling. These guys love to jam out, and it shows.

I've been a huge Beastie Boys fan since 1985, and I do enjoy The Mix Up. I'm giving it 4 stars only because many of the songs tend to blend together, almost as if the album is one continuous track. There's not quite as much grit in this album as I had expected when looking back at the prior instrumentals.

It is very enjoyable to listen to, and I applaud the Beastie Boys' move away from rapping on their albums. Just buy it - it's great for chillin.

This was a great idea. Its all instruments, and no lyrics.

It is totally fun to sing along and add your own free-style lyrics to the songs. Have your buddy add in the beat-box, or grab a spare instrument and add those sounds in.

This album has at least the best 4 instrumental tracks the B-Boys have ever made. There is stuff on it that sounds nothing like anything I've ever heard before. This thing cranks out new dance moves.....big time.

As others have stated, this album isn't for the novice. If your only Beasties purchase to date was that Sabotage cassingle, this shouldn't be your next one. But if you like the Beasties and you dig the instrumental stuff on Check Your Head and Ill Communication, you'll like probably this. This one IS different- generally a little more down tempo and in my opinion less jazzy and more quirky instrumental. But I like that.

That said, you should know where you stand. I'd love to see them do this at one of their live instrumental shows.