As we all know, the Beastie Boys’ followup to Licensed to Ill gained much momentum, a number of devotees, and magnum opus status after its initial dismissal as a “commercial failure” (although it was always a critical success, critics). What you might not realize is that it’s turning 20 years old this year. In celebration of the milestone, the Boys have posted a Paul’s Boutique site where you can listen to (and download) the remastered 20th Anniversary Edition of the record, check out Paul commentary, watch videos, etc. The reissue will be out physically 2/10, but you can pre-order it or get the basic 320kbps digital download with 3D interactive digital artwork today (it can also be downloaded as FLAC, Apple Lossless). Actually, here are the specifics:
Digital Download
Digital album download in choice of format (320kbps MP3, FLAC, Apple Lossless), 5 Beasties music videos, video commentary, 3D interactive digital album artCD + Digital Download
8 panel ecopack CD + Digital DownloadVinyl + Digital Download
8 panel, 180g vinyl + Digital DownloadT-Shirt Combos
Limited edition Paul’s Boutique t-shirt with wraparound album art. Available with Deluxe Digital, CD, or Vinyl combo.20th Anniversary Commemorative Pack
Includes Digital Deluxe, CD, Vinyl, T-shirt, and an 8 foot wide poster of the album art as it was originally intended to be enjoyed.
Note:
The Paul’s Boutique reissue features no additional music, though a track-by-track audio commentary by the band detailing the making of the record will be available with every configuration.
Maybe they’ll offer some live commentary on the tracks at Bonnaroo 2009. When Phish isn’t jamming.
Paul’s Boutique (20th Anniversary Edition) is out 2/10 via Capitol.
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Paul’s Boutique may turn 20, but it will always be fucking awesome.
Seriously though, I have a question: This is one of those pre-sample-lawsuit type things, right? Because isn’t it chock-full of unlicensed (to ill) samples? Those aren’t my questions though, this is: To re-issue the whole thing, do they still not need sign off for that kind of stuff?
Yo, why no extra songs? I downloaded a demo of “Shake Your Rump” called “Full Clout” not too long ago, so that shit is out there.
They made copyright laws against sampling because of this album.
To answer your question.
The insane amount of samples on De La Soul’s “3 Feet High And Rising” also played a big part in it.
Yeah i once saw an instrumental version of Paul’s Boutique as well. that would have been a cool bonus. why would i want an 8 panel CD when i have the 8 panel vinyl? gonna listen to the remaster and see how it sounds though.
Oh yeah, and i feel old having been in college when this bad-boy came out.
Beware: i preordered the album with Amazon.com and the Beastie Boys site isn’t ready (or set up) for those who purchase the vinyl from other outlets. Therefore, if you want the digital download, go through their site.
The copy of the album I received mentions the digital download so I have no idea why I don’t have the mp3s yet.
And according to Insound, they’re re-releasing Check Your Head too.
BTW, it sounds completely awesome.
Ah, I remember calling up that phone number to see if Pauls Boutique was legit back in my college days…
I still love Check Your Head, though…maybe a teensy bit more than Paul’s Boutique.
Just have to say, Seamus’s comment above is completely incorrect. Congress did not get together and enact new copyright legislation because of Paul’s Boutique, and they certainly didn’t do it as a result of the success of De La Soul albums. Without getting too technical, judges started ruling against rap groups (Biz Markie and NWA, most notably) and it became too much of a financial risk for labels to allow artists to have uncleared samples on their records.