Issue #17: Beastie Boys – Hello Nasty

Released:  July 14th, 1998

Recorded:  1997 – 1998

Genre:  Rap, Rap Rock

Record Label:  Capitol

Duration:  67:28

Producers:  Beastie Boys, Mario Caldato, Jr.

Personnel

Track Listing

Singles

Why Hello Nasty is One of My Favorites

Like many of the bands I’ve taken a look at so far, the Beastie Boys have provided a number of strong releases over the years, and picking my first favorite from the 90’s wasn’t easy.  Well, there’s actually zero doubt as to which Beastie Boys album is my favorite, but we’ll get to that another time.  Anyway, as I heard “Intergalactic” on the radio the other day, it became clear that Hello Nasty deserved to introduce the group to my list because of how perfectly it captures the spirit 90’s.  Hello Nasty is eclectic, diverse, and may just be the world’s first and only “alternative” hip-hop record.

A staggering number of sounds are packed into this album, and perhaps what most appeals to me is how much there is to simply hear.  There’s continuity in the sense that the guys are rapping over “rappable” beats, but the similarities end quickly.  Absolutely nothing is repeated here; every track is different than the last.  Sometimes this lack of cohesion can work against a body of work, especially when the creators don’t have a firm grasp on their own style, though Hello Nasty sounds like the Beastie Boys set out to intentionally make the most varied album that they could.  Experimental?  Not quite.  Well, parts of it maybe.  I also appreciate that they’ve managed to cut through all the bullshit when it comes to playing with new styles and instrumentation.  The majority of the tracks clock in at under 3 minutes, leaving little opportunity for anything to grow stale or boring, even if it isn’t wildly successful in the context of the rest of the album.

Samples are a big part of Hello Nasty, and I feel like they’re more well integrated into the overall music than some previous albums.  Video game sounds are worked into “Unite,” elevator music is created in “Song for Junior,” orchestral blips drive “Electrify,” and “Dr. Lee, PhD” is composed of full-on reggae sampling.  And these are just a “sample” of what the album offers.  These snippets are thrown in all over the place to give each track a distinct feel.

As usual, the Beastie Boys are more than happy to share their rapping prowess with us.  In addition to novel rhymes and impeccable rhythm, these guys continue to shine with their quirky brand of humor.  “Three MC’s and One DJ” includes a number of lyrics that make me laugh whenever I hear them, one of my favorites being, “Kenny Rodgers ‘Gambler’ is my gambling theme.”  Don’t ask; the Kenny Rodgers reference just cracks me up as does the matter-of-fact delivery.  I was also pleased to hear, “This one’s for Newcastle, where Venom come from,” in “Dedication,” a shout out to the old speed metal band Venom whom many credit with introducing Satanic concepts into metal.  (A line that I totally didn’t pick up on back in high school!)  “Intergalactic” is full of humorous references as well, drawing inspiration from everything from Mr. Spock to the pronunciation of “Uranus.”  “The Grasshopper Unit” has some of the albums greatest lines including the urban legend surrounding Walt Disney being cryogenically frozen, the line, “My name plate medallion / Says never trust a HAL 9000,” and nods to Inspector Clouseau and Chuck D.  I’m sure I don’t get or even catch every name drop on Hello Nasty, but I suppose the idea is that everyone will catch some.

With so much going on, I’m finding it difficult to make broad statements about the record as a whole.  Admittedly, a few of the more experimentally driven tracks could be cut, but the highs more than make up for the lows.  Some of my choice cuts are “Putting Shame in Your Game,” “And Me,” “Intergalactic,” “Electrify,” and “Instant Death.”  Part of enjoying Hello Nasty comes from understanding and appreciating rap as a musical style rather than lifestyle, and it’s wonderful to see said style applied in so many different ways.

Written by The Cubist

Other albums from the Beastie Boys in this series:

• 1986 – Licensed to Ill – Issue #58-C

Back to The Cubist’s 90’s Albums

Written by The Cubist

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Find out what these ratings mean and how I rate video games.

I collect as much video gaming paraphernalia as I can get my hands on, especially when it comes to hardware. With over 40 systems including oldies like the ColecoVision and Intellivision, obscurities like the CD-i and 3DO, and the latest and greatest including the Wii U, PS4, Xbox One, 3DS, and PS Vita, I get easily overwhelmed. Most of the time you can find me firmly nestled sometime between 1985 and 1995 when it comes to my games of choice, but I’m also having a great time seeing what the 8th generation has to offer.

Currently in love with: Mortal Kombat

Email me anytime, about anything: thecubist@butthole.nerdbacon.com