Album Review: Beastie Boys-Hot Sauce Committee Part Two

The Beastie Boys have been through a lot of shit in the past few years. Most notably, MCA was diagnosed with cancer in 2009, which subsequently delayed the release of their new record. Now that MCA is (thankfully) cancer-free, Hot Sauce Committee Part Two has finally seen the light of day and it's a triumphant return for the Beastie Boys.

Hot Sauce Committee Part 2 has been a long time coming. It's the first Beastie Boys's rap record since 2004's To The 5 Boroughs (they released an instrumental album in 2007). The Beastie Boys return to rap is a welcome one. The Beasties let it be known early on they are coming back with a vengeance. "Make Some Noise" is a furious vintage Beastie Boys anthem. It's in your face fun filled with the witty wordplay and manic energy the Beastie Boys have become known for. The entire duration of Hot Sauce Committee Part Two maintains this unpredictable, chaotic fun whirlwind energy. It's truly infectious and you can tell how much fun the Beastie Boys had making this record. On top of the sheer fun, the vast array of beats the Beastie Boys explore on this record is fantastic. From the old-school drum driven "Nonstop Disco Powerpack" to the punk influenced "Lee Majors Come Again" to the reggae stylings of "Don't Play No Game That I Can't Win", the Beastie Boys leave pretty much no style of beat untouched.

Hot Sauce Committee Part 2 is a reminder to the entire hip-hop community of how great the Beastie Boys are. Their inventive lyrics and beats are still in peak form with over twenty-five years in the rap game. It's a really testament of how strong of artists they are. I think Nas says it the best on the album's crowning achievement "Too Many Rappers", when says "There's too many rappers, but not enough MC's". The Beastie Boys are still MC's to be reckoned with and Hot Sauce Committee Part Two proves that.

4/5 Stars
Standout Tracks
1.Too Many Rappers (feat/Nas)
2.Lee Majors Come Again
3.Nonstop Disco Powerpack