This came out in 1999 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
Hipster-doofus rap trio Beastie Boys have only issued five albums, so is a two-CD anthology really warranted — especially one that only has one totally new track? In two words: Hells, yes.
The thing about the Beasties is that along with those albums, they’ve issued so many singles, EPs and other non-album tunes that only a true fanatic could have collected them all. Along with the predictable hits (Fight For Your Right, Hey Ladies, Root Down, Intergalactic), the 42-track Sounds Of Science is peppered with these little treasures: Tracks from the pre-rap hardcore days; country numbers from Mike D; live cuts and remixes; and three unreleased numbers, including that new joint Alive. Oh, and if you think you could do better, well, here’s your shot — on the trio’s website, you can create and sequence your own anthology, which they’ll burn to CD and ship to you. The Sounds Of Science, indeed.
