Album Review - Beastie Boys - Hot Sauce Committee Part 2

The Beastie Boys are finally back. Following the long delay on this album after MCA got cancer, the trio have finally finished what was supposed to be a 2 part project and have only released Part Two. With this being the 8th Studio album from the New York collective I'm pleased to announce that with the previous 7 the Beastie boys have managed to keep the fun feelings and distinctive sound that have ran throughout previous albums such as the seminal Check your Head and Paul's Boutique. Back are the Vocoders and the vocals are distorted and dipped in reverb at many stages. Simply if your a fan of early Beastie Boys then this album should be enough to please you.

The album opens with 'Make Some Noise' which must surely be a single from this album. Its catchy. It's energetic and for me is one of , if not the best song on the album. The organ throughout will remain in your head all day after hearing it. 'Too Many Rappers' which features a cameo from NAS is another pick of best song from the album with an excellent cameo from the fellow New York MC. 'Say it' features a very catch and anthemic chorus which one can envision being screened at many of the Beastie's concerts for years to come aswell as an video game noise inspired outro.

Also, Hot Sauce Committee gives us a little taste of a more reggae feel type song in 'Don't play No Game That I Can't Win' featuring the soulful vocals of Santigold. Again when we talk about the fun side that finds itself in the Beasties noise. This is no more apparent than the songs 'Funky Donkey' and  the short piece'The Larry Rountine.'

Unfortunatly, the second half of the album passes without much note and is fairly dissapointing in comparision to the first. 'Lee Majors Come Again' gives us a look back at the Beasties in their original punk ways with a brilliant bassline thrown in. There is also the instrumental track 'Multilateral Nuclear Disarmament'. For me after this the album wanes. The album ends with 'The Lisa Lisa' on a bit of a throwaway note for me.

All in all as previously stated, this album is enough to satisfy Beastie Boy fans and for the much part is a very enjoyable listen full of catchy tunes. The second half of the album lets the overall album down, however it must be said that Hot Sauce Committee part 2 is a successful return for the Beasties.