Beastie Boys
An Open Letter to NYC

6/ 10 [Edit this Release]

Type: Single Release date: 06/12/2004

Artists:
Beastie Boys »

Label:
Parlophone »

by Matt D'Cruz [Edit this content] ▾ 7 comments 17:25 December 2nd, 2004

Your Rating:

Crusing along on one of the more freak unique backing tracks that the band have produced in a while, 'An Open Letter To NYC' is a big old group hug for the trio's native city. It's outrageously worthy - no real difference from one of those mawkish tracks that appears towards the top ends of the pop chart, but just about gets away with it thanks to the collection of phased keyboards, edgy guitars and electro-bass that makes it all sound a lot darker and edgier than it actually is. Kind of like punk rock candy floss.

"Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten, From the Battery to the top of Manhattan, Asian, Middle-Eastern and Latin, Black, White, New York you make it happen".

awwwwww.

Beastie Boys 6 / 10

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The Beastie Boys - An Open Letter to NYC

It's quality - best track on the album (which is a bit disapointing to be honest).

Kevtheone | 3 Dec '04, 12:01 | X | Reply

The Beastie Boys - An Open Letter to NYC

I'm gonna record 'An Open Letter to Derbyshire'

'Chesterfield, Derby, Swad and Heanor, From the Alfreton to the top of Pennine Way, White, white, white and more white, Derbyshire I'm glad I'm out now'

It's a hit, I tell you.

bamos | 3 Dec '04, 12:15 | X | Reply

Re: The Beastie Boys - An Open Letter to NYC

Likewise, Warrington.
If Hell is a place on Earth...

Mike_Diver @bamos | 3 Dec '04, 12:34 | X | Reply

The Beastie Boys - An Open Letter to NYC

The beat on this track is fecking quality, its a great single. Best track on the album, although they still could do a lot better.

jeffthejiff | 3 Dec '04, 17:49 | X | Reply

The Beastie Boys - An Open Letter to NYC

There's still life in the old dog. Just. "Triple Trouble" was horrible; this is better.

Brent DiCrescenzo, the legend that he is, did what he claims will be his last-ever music review of this album. It's one of the best pieces of music journalism I've ever read (the full text is available somewhere on the internet; the version at Pitchfork is severely neutered ever since they were threatened with legal action over it). I don't agree with his mark but the reasoning, honesty and irreverence of the piece are something only he could turn out...

Smileadelic | 3 Dec '04, 22:18 | X | Reply