Beastie Boys - Hello Nasty

The Beastie Boys finished the 90s with a bang. Continuing in the vein of their sound for that decade (Check Your Head and Ill Communication), Hello Nasty puts their rhymes up against their instrumental prowess. A Beastie Boys record is like its own world, and in this world, dub experiments (Dr. Lee, PhD) can be preceded by the electro-flavored hits "Body Movin'" and "Intergalactic." The jokes and pop culture references here are as funny and sharp as ever, while the key Beastie Boys ingredient, their chemistry, remains potent. Few hip-hop groups exist, period, but even fewer can claim to create a great mix of voices. The way the three MCs have completely unique voices that clash and contrast with each other sets them apart, and it's a joy to hear just that, even without the amazing beats.