Album Of The Week: Beastie Boys', Licensed To Ill

The Beastie Boys crashed into the mainstream in the mid-'80s rapping about "The New Style" and yelling "(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party!)," their brash hedonism striking a chord with hip-hop fans and suburban metalheads alike.

This loud, obnoxious blend of hard rock and rap, showcased on their debut album, Licensed To Ill, wound up having a lasting impact, but the trio of Adam Yauch, Adam Horovitz, and Mike Diamond were young punks and restless artists. Licensed To lll, is one of those debut albums that became extremely hard for the Beastie Boys to musically surpass. Anchored at the...