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The Beastie Boys (Michael Morel/Wikipedia Commons)
Over 25 years and eight albums, the Beastie Boys have celebrated their hometown with brash shoutouts - and subtle inside jokes. Today: Guest host Sophie Harris of Time Out New York examines how the hip hop trio's newest album once again pays tribute to New York. Plus: British electronic composer James Blake brings his "post-dubstep" sound live to the Soundcheck studio.
Hosted by:
Sophie Harris
Shoutout To Their Roots
From Ernie Anastos to Murray's Cheese, the Beastie Boys have often paid lyrical tribute to their New York stomping grounds throughout their 25 year career. Their newest release, Hot Sauce Committee Part 2, pays homage in a more retrospective way. Rolling Stone contributor Alan Light and The A.V. Club’s Steve Hyden join us to decipher New York references on the rap trio’s latest release, as well as on earlier albums.
In Studio: James Blake
Earlier this year, the full-length debut from James Blake helped launch a civil war inside the British electronic genre known as dubstep. Purists decried the lack of manic dance beats, while innovators applauded the album’s icy R&B feel and Blake’s vocals, which recall a classic era of blue-eyed English soul. (His cover of Feist’s “Limit to Your Love” was just petrol on the fire.) He joins us to play live.
Playlist: Beastie Boys + James Blake
Click through to see today's Soundcheck playlist!
Gig Alert: Helado Negro
Roberto Carlos Lange, a.k.a. Helado Negro, brings his Spanish-language art-pop to Glasslands on Tuesday. Download his "Regresa" here.
On Your Record Release Radar: Gang Gang Dance
New York City’s percussive experimental band Gang Gang Dance released its fifth full-length album Eye Contact on Tuesday. Check out WNYC's interview with the band's frontwoman Lizzi Bougatsos and download the track "Mindkilla" here.