Beastie Boys, For a New Generation

Love the Beastie Boys. Besides U2, I can't think of another popular music group that has remained relevant and good for over 25 years. They're the reason we can't have a Hip-hop Mt. Rushmore; because they'll take up three spots, themselves. I've been an avid listener for over twelve years or so. I discovered them at the same time I developed my appreciation for Old-School Hip-hop. And since they're mastery is only matched by their inability to put out records (only 8 albums in over 25 years) I found it easy to quickly consume their entire catalogue.
I want everyone to love the Beastie Boys, so I developed a new way for newcomers to discover their music. Usually when you want to sample a classic artist, you start at the beginning. There's something very satisfying about going on a musical journey with a prolific artist. Here's the Beastie Boys discography in chronological order:

• Licensed to Ill (1986)
• Paul's Boutique (1989)
• Check Your Head (1992)
• Ill Communication (1994)
• Hello Nasty (1998)
• To the 5 Boroughs (2004)
• The Mix-Up (2007)
• Hot Sauce Committee Part Two (2011)

Here is where I see the stumbling block; I think today's listener may not be as receptive to their earlier work. It's deceptively simple in arrangement, and the lyrical content lends itself to a time or immaturity and recklessness. Old-School Hip-hop can be an acquired taste. I love it, but if you're not in the right state of mind, it might be lost on you. May I suggest my patented reverse listening order?

• Hot Sauce Committee Part Two (2011)
• The Mix-Up (2007)
• To the 5 Boroughs (2004)
• Hello Nasty (1998)
• Ill Communication (1994)
• Check Your Head (1992)
• Paul's Boutique (1989)
• Licensed to Ill (1986)

What does this do? First off, you start with their newest stuff, which is much more in line with today's "Digital Hip-Hop" sensibilities. It's chill party music with substance, not at all different from M.I.A. or Santigold. The Beastie Boys become contemporaries of artists who are 20 plus years their juniors. As you move towards their older work, they go through some very logical transformations. Hello Nasty comes off as the album that sets the blueprint for the today's current pop music sound. They start experimenting with instruments and distortion. They reach their creative peak with Paul's Boutique, an album so good that they have no choice but to follow it up with the stripped down Licensed to Ill.

Bonus: In this order, their career resembles that of the Beatles. They start with simple, catchy pop songs, and eventually become more complex and musically mature. Hello Nasty is their Revolver, where the band takes a psychedelic and creative turn. Paul's Boutique is their Sgt. Peppers', where the group has perfected using the studio as an instrument. Licensed to Ill is their Abbey Road, a return to basics.

The only thing that doesn't make sense is their growing immaturity. In reverse order, they go from solving the world's problems to pissing in the subway. Oh well, I'll call it a conceptual transformation.