After much discussion about different genres and a general desire for more hip-hop, I think the stars aligned to be able to follow up "The Cold Vein" with "Paul's Boutique". Perhaps Japanese baseball stars, Fruit Stripe Gum, and the unanswerable question of how many mangoes exist in Jamaica are not diametrically opposed to the stark and bewitching verse of Cannibal Ox, but the carousing, pop culture-laced, irreverent humor of the Beasties is pretty damn close.
Fresh off the astonishing and unforeseen success of "Lisenced to Ill", The Beastie Boys moved to California, underscoring a growing gap with Def Jam, the label that had released "LtI". A public feud ensued, the Beasties moved to Capitol, determined to release a second album that showed that they weren't just white boys pumping bass, but intelligent, thoughtful men who happened to love hip-hop.
Although Capitol initially considered the album a huge flop, 10 years later it had gone double platinum thanks to an original and eclectic use of samples, unique lyrics and lyrical structures, and an unbelievably deep well of references, ideas, and beliefs that continue to reveal themselves listen after listen. It is consistently ranked as one of the best albums, regardless of genre, by those who create such lists.
Although Ad Rock appropriately begins the first true track with "Well I rock the house party at the drop of a hat", the album touches on important topics such as police corruption, objectification, and music history in addition to supplying beats and rhymes that can rival, if not surpass, any other rap or hip-hop then and now.
