First things first, I hate rap. Especially people like 50 cent, and a whole bunch of other rappers that I don't even bother to remember their names. (I also really dispise how most rappers have about a million almost naked women in their videos. And you can't even understand what the hell they're saying!) But I don't know what it is about the Beastie Boys...Almost all their songs are catchy as hell, and hilarious at times. I like how these guys can make songs that are all totally different, and always sounding new and fresh. That's what I like about the Beastie Boys. Such as "Twenty Questions" which is bossanova. 60's bossanova? That's not Beastie Boys! But I love that song! And "Something's Got to Give" which is a cool song, with the weird bass, and the funky high pitched noises. yea, that may sound just a bit odd, but it's another great song. And "Time for Livin'" Which is just some hardcore rock. Also, "Root Down" which is extrememly catchy. My point is, that all these songs are great, and they're all unique, and all really different! Great album!

These guys actually show off some real music skills on some tracks. I must say that i don't like their hip-hop style but the rock they put out is pretty solid. These fellows got the skills to pay their bills for sure, that song is the only rap song i ever heard that had any impact on me. These guys got exactly what all the other hip-hoppers miss, charisma and tuffness. I've checked out some "hip-hop" records lately, recommended by a friend, and i have to say that this is much, much better then those stupid ho' hunters snoopy dogg and the, so called, genius.

2,5/5 only halfbad, great for a hip-hop album, some real singing actually.

For the beastie boys, as band that has seemingly gone through several radical artistic & musical changes, compiling a `Best of' , that encapsulates their considerable career was always going to be a tricky proposition, due to a collection of fans that embraced their more rock based side ("Licensed To Ill"), through to the kaleidoscopic freewheeling sampled laden masterpiece that referenced everything from funk, soul, Golden Age, rock ("Paul Boutique"), to a refinement, and streamling of their sound, punctuated with instrumental tracks that brought about their biggest success ("Ill communication"), through to the more electronic based elements with the occasional throw back to the simplicity of 3 Mc & a DJ aesthetic ("Hello Nasty").

First the positive: There's a lot of material here, spread over the 2 disks for your money, and such expected hits or favourites such as "Slow and Low / Sure Shot / Body Movin (Fatboy Slim remix) / Fight for your right / Brass Monkey / Get it together / Hey Ladies / Remote control / 3 MC's and 1 DJ" are all beautifully represented here. But more importantly you get some of the more obscure, non-LP, and B-side material that makes this a more rounded anthology....so "Gratitude / Boomin Granny / Bodhisattva Vow / Song for the man / Time for Livin / Egg Raid on Mojo / Dub the Mic / Skills to pay the bills / The negotiation Limerick file", flesh out this anthology with something that'll appeal to the enthusiasts, rather than the a compilation of hits that'll only be of interest to newcomers.

In what seems like a bit of an oversight (especially as B-Sides & non-LP material are included) is the lack of instrumental tracks. Seeing as the instrumentals on the majority of Beasties releases where on occasion, as carefully thought-out, and realised as some of the vocal tracks, it seems a shame that there isn't anything here to represent another artistic side to the beasties work, and anyone that picked up their sublime purely instrumental "The in Sound from Way out!" album, will find none of that material included here, puzzlingly.

Now the Negative: There's likely to be a lot of people that will bemoan, what's missing or not included....and will largely ignore this anthology because a lot of more worthwhile tracks didn't make the inclusion. Songs such as "Girls / Time to get ill / No sleep Till Brooklyn / Ricky's theme....etc have been mysteriously left on the cutting room floor. (I myself have frequently bemoaned the fact that the `Bob Dylan' sampling "Finger Lickin Good", didn't make it). But to labour upon this would be pointless, because those people have already made their minds up regarding this anthology and passed on it. But if you can get past the eccentricity of the track listing, remain undeterred by the non-inclusion of particular favourites, and accept the fact the it's not sequenced chronologically, there is a tremendous amount here to enjoy.

This anthology probably isn't suited for those that are casual listeners of the beasties work, as the lack of some crucial material will disappoint many. This release feels like it's more geared towards those that have either followed the beasties boys career for many years, and will relish having a lot of the B-side material, non-LP tracks that, short of picking up all the singles, is a mammoth undertaking. Or those that, (like me), that have all the beasties studio albums, but none of the singles or hard to find material, will generally find this to be the perfect accompaniment. Either way there is certainly enough Oddball, hard to find, B-side and obscure material here, to make this (provided you know what your getting with this release), a more than highly recommended release to followers & enthusiasts, even though there are missteps, odd choices and bizarre sequencing. Those that don't fall into either category, would probably be better off seeking out their regular studio albums, which must surely now retail at a mid to low price???

Great overview of an important band. It's not chronological, but deal with it. Except for Paul's Boutique some of their records have been spotty, so this is a good way to start with the Beasties.