but then again...

FROM June 25, 2004

To the Five Boroughs is currently the top-selling record in US, Canada and Europe. *

"There are silly songs such as 'Something in My Shoe,' which includes fun sound effects; 'Ducks Like Rain,' which has an uncanny way of sticking in your brain and causing you to sing aloud 'Ducks go splishing-splashing in the rain' at unexpected moments, or 'Let's Do the Numbers Rumba' (likewise)."

Let me qualify—well, honestly, I feel Beastie Boys have been influenced by Le Tigre lyrics. When Kathleen Hanna's really straightforward didacticism works, it's via friction between her hyperengaged brilliance and blase sarcasm ("Valley Girl Intelligentsia"), and the fact that there is viable, directed content sitting nicely among the slang (though we'll see what happens with the next record). But Beasties' intent seems so weak, their vision too doughy. Also, if you wanna hear Spoonie Gee's rhythm section (as Travis put it), then go nuts, but A! -B! A! B! rhyme patterns are simply not where I'm at.

"Ten nine eight seven six five four
Get upon the mic and I'm a even the score"

Man.

* [addendum: I did not note that as some crappy superiority like "look at the misguided masses, MWAHahahaha" thesis statement... I noted it because I got a press release informing me as much, and it sparked thought. just FYI.]