Customer Reviews

Some Old Bullshit

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(10)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Pretty cool re-release of an old piece of NYHC history. The BB were involved with and played with such bands as Bad Brains and Murphy's Law (ML opened for the Beastie's on their "Licensed to ILL" tour)and this document of their early hardcore sound is your basic rough-around-the-edges hardcore - fast, loud and really, not too bad. Cool to see the BB were part of history, and haven't forgotten their roots by not only keping in touch with Murphy's Law, but also in Adam recently joining the Cro-Mags on stage for a Bad Brains cover. Check it out.

Okay, if you've actually heard this CD, then you get the title.

Folks, don't expect a lot of deep meaning about the inner mysteries of life on this one or pulsating grooves with deep lyrics that will change the way you look at the world. The teenage Beasties (and galpal Kate Schillenbach) are bascially having fun and acting the fool with their intstruments and screaming into the mike punk rock style. "Egg raid on Mojo," Traffic Cop," etc. are a good background to a drunk college fratboy party or the kind of thing you want in the background while your buddies are over for beer and pizza.

"Cookie Puss" and "Beastie Revolution" are a tad different. The former, as mentioned by some other posters, is a tape of our "Heroes" (?) making crank calls to a New York ice cream parlor with some beats added to the background. (For some reason, this "tune" was very popular underground in the early 80s). Then there's "Beastie revolution" (the chorus is where I got the title of this review). The Beasties spoof on the kind of reggae rap that was to evolve into dancehall. Initially amusing, but descends into sheer silliness.

If you remember (or still have) some of the basement tapes you made with your friends as a teenager where you are acting the fool and clowning on the mike, and add some punk rock, reggae, and disco beats to it, then you'll get the idea of this Cd.

Yes, the Beastie Boys' first musical venture was hardcore punk. Three chords, teenage angst, and potential. Adam hadn't joined yet and the band was comprised of Adam Y., Mike D., John, and Kate Sellenbach as a PUNK band. And despite the fact that they can't sing and that they're only about 16-17, this is a cool album. Egg Raid On Mojo's without a doubt the best song on the album (with a little three-note solo even!), with Beastie Boys as second. Worth a listen to go back to the BB's roots.

This Album is NOT for casual Beastie Boy fans. If you liked algio y olio and have a keen interest in the origin of the Beastie Boys you should buy it. It's actually pretty good.

Whilst not being suitable those fans that only appreciate hip-hop, this album, albeit an extremely raw recording is enjoyable nonetheless. It is similar to some of the thrashier songs that the band have recorded on later albums such as Licenced to Ill's "Heart Attack". Also, the liner notes to this CD contain a two page document written by Mike D. (vocalist)on how the band evolved from being a NYC hardcore band into the kings of hip-hop. Perhaps this disc's only shortcoming is it's length. At only 28 minutes long, you wouldn't want to pay full price for it.

If you want to hear "Intergalactic" and "Fight for your right" then look elsewhere. I, myself am a punk, and a punk fan. I also love hip hop, metal, folk and a bunch of other genres, but punk is definetly my first choice. In my opinion this album (well..the albums that these songs were taken from) is in the top 5 of 80s punk cds. This is how punk should be. Simple, snotty, fast and furious. ...

This album takes you back to the Beasties first recordings between 81' and 85'. It's full of hardcore rock and punk. Tracks to look out for are 'Transit Cop' and 'Cooky Puss'. Buy it, it's great!

I bought this since it was relatively cheap in a shop there was and I figured, I had nothing to lose and got what I expected which was the sound of teenagers making a bit of noise and having fun. There's nothing wrong with that. Yeah, tracks like Cookie Puss are hilarious but the other tracks here are equally as incompetent yet good. Yes I'm looking at it from the " so bad it's good " catalogue but really it's pretty fun to listen to. I have more fun listening to this than the dreadful cack like The Clash or the Sex Pistols ( Heresy? Bring it on! ). The letter which the band received from a disgruntled concert attender pretty much sums it up though. They are sub-Minor Threat, Bad Brains et al but really you shouldn't expect this to mean anything. They're 16-18 year olds here. They were having fun, nothing else.

If you like Beastie Boys, punk rock, or both, pick this disc up, pop it in your player, and be prepared to rock! It's a great CD. Sure, it's not grammy material, but who cares? You DEFINITELY should buy this CD. But, I suggest you listen to a couple of samples before making a purchase of it. This was a great CD! Thanks, Beastie Boys!

The hardcore tracks on this disc from the Polly Wog Stew EP are freakin' great. The songs are completely rambunctious, immature, high-speed hardcore punk. Before the Beasties were MTV darlings with their suburban-friendly hip hop, they were playing house parties and small clubs with GREAT bands like The Bad Brains, Minor Threat, etc, etc (they even go for a Minor Threat look on the back cover of the EP). Like I said, these songs certainly don't show any maturity or songwriting skills to speak of, but they're fun, and you have to respect the Beastie Boys roots (they were still covering Minor Threat songs and recording new hardcore tracks a few years ago...). The reason that I only gave this 3 stars is because the Cooky Puss is generally pretty boring. Sorry, but I just don't like these last 4 tracks. To each his (or her) own.