Blastweek #1 – "Ch-Check It Out!"

It took a bit of time … ok. It’s been six years since New York natives, the Beastie Boys released an album with new material (Hello Nasty in ’98), but that is about to change. On June 15, the rap trio will unveil their long awaited project, appropriately titled To The 5 Boroughs. In the meantime, we are left with “Ch-Check It Out,” a preview to their overdue compilation.

It seems like the Beastie Boys picked up right where they left off. The sample used in “Ch-Check It Out” sounds like a faster version of the hook used in “Intergalactic” (their 1998 hit). With the beat in place, they start trying to get people hyped, especially nerds and couch potatoes when they spit, “All you trekkies and TV addicts/Don’t mean to diss, don’t mean to bring static/All you klingons in the f—–‘ house/Grab your backstreet friend and get loud!” The rap trio also plays word association with occupations, such as being a scientist, electrician, magician and mathematician. Even the world-famous cartoon celebrity, Ms. Piggy gets a shout-out! Although they joke around, the song isn’t entirely shits and giggles. The Beastie Boys express that the people they care about prevent their heads from getting too big (except when it comes to rhyming). They spit, “I’ve got friends and family that I respect/When I think I’m too good, they put me in check/So believe when I say I’m no better than you/Except when I rap, so I guess it ain’t true.”

With an old-school flavor and friendly, but humerous touch, the Beastie Boys definitely have not forgotten their roots. After all, their album is called To The 5 Boroughs, and after hearing the leadoff track, “Ch-Check It Out,” this album should be worth checking out.

*** (3 Stars out of 5)

Staff Views

Aki’s View: *** (3 Stars out of 5) “The Beastie Boys just ranting and raving, as they do best. It’s good, but nowhere near the quality of their earlier work.”

J’s View: ***1/2 (3.5 Stars out of 5) “Typical anthem-like beastie boys song, complete with absurd fun rhymes and simplistic beats that the Beasties rock so excellently. They group has a unique signature style that no one can even come close to imitating. Somehow, they make bad come off a sheer genius in an utterly enjoyable way, using old school methods and an off kilter dork humor in their rhymes. While it’s no classic, it shows an intense amount of potential and skill, but much like their other work, it fits into a niche and either you “get it” and enjoy it or you don’t. This is nowhere near as acessable for an average radio listener as “sabotage” but a true fan might like it that way. The Beasties are back in a big way.”

Hansen’s View: ** (2 Stars out of 5) “The genre isn’t a favorite of mine, but I respect them for their longevity. This song has a solid old-school style beat, which is usual Beastie Boys and I admit it is quite catchy.”

Thanks for checking this out and leave a comment. Let us if you agree or disagree and like or dislike Blastweek. What do you think of “Ch-Check It Out?”