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It's 20 years since the release of The Beastie Boys second album "Paul's Boutique" and the arrival of a shiny remaster with a gatefold package couldn't be more different. At the time of its release the Beasties were not shocking, not clever, and (in the eyes of most) not really needed. They'd trailblazed the whole frat boy rap/rock which still has traces in the musical DNA to this day and many had found the novelty severly lacking. Shorn of their Def Jam label and heading straight for the bargain bins was this album's destiny. They were right, it didn't sell.

For those that did buy it there was something of a surprise. What it contained was one of the most sample heavy and innovative Hip-Hop albums of not just the year, but of that and subsequent decades. Yet despite all that it's quite obviously a Beastie Boys album. Listen to it, or any of the subsequent releases and the blueprint is set. The trademark lyrical chopping and changing is all here and so is a rather carefully honed intellegence which lurks both in the music and words the band declaims.

Having said that anyone who only knew them from the mega hit "Licence To Ill" would still find a lot of the band they knew. The difference is that the cartoon style is replaced by something a lot more considered. Tracks melt into each other and there are simply dozens of samples weaving the piece together and also weaving in and out of other samples. The final "B-Boy Bouillabaisse" epitomises the magpie approach to samples and through the album there are samples from jazz, funk, country, Jimi Hendrix, and all kinds of other genres. Bouillabaisse is split into each of its component parts on the re-master which helps to pick out what makes its considerable sum from some impressive parts.

The reissue exists because this album's influence is still being heard, turntablism's holy grail is how some would describe this. It is an abject lesson in how to weave a sonic tapestry from the most unexpected of places. There have been few equals to this day. Hearing it now seems to diminish little of its originality.

What you get here is a nice brightly remastered album, the opportunity to download a track by track commentary, and nothing else. No bonus tracks, live outtakes, remixes or anything of the kind. They simply don't need it. If (like me) you've wondered why people rate this so highly then there is even less of an excuse to experience this exceptionally impressive work now. If you like Hip-Hop then this is definately worth hearing. Two deacdes haven't dimmed its power.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Paul's Boutique - 20th Anniversary Remastered
THIS IS A RARE THING AN ALBUM THAT I HAVE WANTED FOR TWENTY YEARS BUT NEVER GOT ROUND TO BUYING IT IN ANY FORMAT.
I HAVE NOT HEARD THE FULL ALBUM YET BUT THE SINGLES ARE GREAT.
I THINK THE BONUS TRACKS ARE SOME SORT OF DVD STYLE COMMENTARY FROM THE BAND WHICH MIGHT BE WORTH ONE LISTEN.
ALTHOUGH I WOULD PREFER TO READ THEIR THOUGHTS IN THE BOOKLET,
I HOPE OTHER BANDS DON'T START DOING THIS!
GVB

Rating: 4 out of 5

Great album, I'd actually forgotten how good this was. Extra (downloadable) content (band talking about the album, tracks etc) also worth a listen... *****

Rating: 5 out of 5

One of the best LP's ever made. A remaster is welcome, but in comparison to "Check Your Head" with its 2nd disc, a massive missed opportunity with this bare bones release. Shame

Skip the CD and track out the original vinyl that blows this away!

Rating: 2 out of 5