Growing Up Beastie

Everyone knows that we all care about whatever the Beastie Boys care about. That means big pants, robots, old TV shows and Tibet to the uninitiated, and white rappers doing their best to stay relevant in an changing musical scene. There are so many digs I could take at them, if they weren't doing such a good job.

It's true, the clothing they sell at their XL franchise is well made, reasonably priced and defies the fine line between over trendy and fashionably useful. Pouty teens and aging hipsters alike sport them with pride. Even though Brad Pitt went to the Tibetan Freedom festival to see and be seen this year, both the performers and the attendees knew exactly what freedom in Tibet was about - the Beasties had effectively conveyed their message to a group of people who just came to see a kickass show. By "understood" I mean well beyond knowing that the right thing to do was yell "Free Tibet!" whilst flicking their bics and begging for that Sean Lennon encore. There was a deeper understanding of the human oppression going on in Tibet.

The Beastie Boys are working to make social consciousness hip, and guess what? They're succeeding. Now, I was hesitant to write this piece, they need more ink, digital or liquid, like Trump needs change for the slots, but here's the thing: I couldn't not. Sometimes people deserve media saturation and far be it from me to resist especially when the cause is a just one.

Did I mention that their new record "Hello Nasty" kicks much ass? Due out July 14th, well beyond the already released single "Intergalactic" has the Beasties taking a new stab at rock infused rap, and doing elaborate layered mix downs over a reggae track. it's their best since Paul's Boutique and I'd go as far as saying that its on par with that record, long considered to be their opus. The sound is diverse and the tracks are imminently danceable. It's fun, it's smart, and the sounds is fresh (and phresh) as well as new and compelling after several listenings.

The addition of DJ Mike and their return to New York (just when New York became the place to return to) has given the Beasties a second wind, and fueled the credibility of their self imposed roles as arbiters of global awareness. I respect them as people and artists, which is something you just can't say about enough rock stars any more. I can't stop listening to the record, and I can't help thinking that this is actually a great step in the rock stars as role models continuum. As they've matured in age and as a band, it seems that they have done the one things many acts fail to do: mature in attitude. The Beastie Boys are no longer about cage dancers and nicking cute honeys from the audience at shows, even though that was fun when they were 19. they seem to be taking their adulthood seriously and treating their fans like they're smart and powerful. And the fans believe them.

leslie@smug.com

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