While the raps and grooves seem a bit simplistic 16 years after its release, it still sounds great. "Fight for Your Right" was and is a classic party theme. I also love "Brass Monkey." What's amazing about this CD is how many of the songs became classics (Fight for your right, Brass Monkey, Paul Revere, Hold it now, Slow & Low). Throw on this CD and just enjoy it.


Just sit and listen to it!   May 31, 2002
jay kenyon (LAS VEGAS, NV USA)
15 out of 17 found this review helpful

Sure it was overplayed in the 80's, but if you just listen to it, without all of the baggage from the time it was recorded and played (to death) it is really a great album. Every song grooves, the samples and perfect. It is great to hear them develop their own styles throughout their careers.


Still Illin'   January 15, 2000
G.C. (Potomac, MD USA)
13 out of 13 found this review helpful

It's hard to believe, but sometimes true that what goes around, comes around. I saw the Beasties on stage in London in September 1986 (with Run DMC and LL Cool J) shortly after this album came out (they were last on the bill and played only three songs, including "Slow and Low" and "Fight For Your Right"). The prevailing opinion at the time was that "Licensed To Ill" was one of the most obnoxious releases in the history of music. But what a party! The Beastie Boys seemed like a one-hit wonder when they changed record labels and took three years to release their follow up (Paul's Boutique), plus the fact these white boys were being universally panned by most of the rap community. But the Boys must be having the last laugh, and listening to this album again, it still sounds good. I am amazed at all the kids that weren't even born in '86 are discovering this record, which attests to the band's endurance, although the band owes a lot to Rick Rubin, their producer who meshed the Boys' brashness with great sound samples. As a parent I can say that, based on the feedback I've read here, if you are trying to decide on a music purchase for your teenager, this may do the trick.


Beastie Boys: the ORIGINAL Slim Shadys   July 5, 2002
The Groove (Boston, MA)
13 out of 13 found this review helpful

Way back when Eminem was bully bait during his school years, three Jewish dudes called the Beastie Boys released this impressive debut that made them the first (and, in my opinion, best) white rappers in hip hop. But make no mistake, "License to Ill" is rude, obnoxious, and sometimes offensive by today's PC standards, but if you can take it with a grain of salt, it's also fun to listen to. "The New Style" is undeniably funky and has the Boys in top form. "Paul Revere" is also pretty good with its drum machine played in reverse, and "No Sleep Til Brooklyn" is a fine melange of amped-up guitars and hip hop beats. "Fight For Your Right" was the group's biggest hit, but it pales in comparison to the rest of the album. "License to Ill" was all about drugs, women, and disrespecting any and all figures of authority. However, these guys eventually matured by phasing out of their juvenile lyrics and releasing even better albums, including the now-classic "Paul's Boutique." All in all, a promising debut that's aged well over the years.


Time to get Ill...   January 28, 2001
7 out of 8 found this review helpful

And one of the greatest albums of all time comes from... The Beastie Boys? Yes. This album is still one of my favorites after four years, and it proves several things 1) This is one of the first mixes of rap and rock, 2) White guys from Brooklyn CAN rap, and 3) This is a great party album. It's got some of the Beastie Boys' greatest songs which can be summed in three words: Girls, beer, and partying. They rap about everything from their girlfriends (Girls, She's Crafty) to partying and mischeif (the classic Fight For Your Right and Paul Revere), to booze (Brass Monkey) to themselves (No Sleep Till Brooklyn) to their favorite fast food joints. As I'm reviewing this, I would like to point out that I'm not a hip-hop fan. The Beastie Boys are one of the few groups in this genre I really like. This has some of the greatest songs on it. Girls is one your feminist girlfriend wont like. Fight For Your Right answers one of the biggest mysteries of all time: What's that noise? Brass Monkey and Hold It Now, Hit It will probably top Louie Louie as some of the great frat songs of all time. Paul Revere is a song about what happens when the Beasties get themselves into trouble. The thing is, the Beastie Boys have put out some good stuff lately, but I think it'll be a long time before they (or anyone, even Eminem) can top this. So drink your brass monkey. Come on, you know you want to...