Max Riffner

Christian Thom
Jun 16, 12:38 PM

# 2

Max, first of all let me say that you’re right about one thing at least: poopy pants aren’t fun.

However, I think that dissing the Beastie Boys for rapping abbot their political views, is unwarranted. I agree that in most cases they skim over a topic, maybe drop in a line, and then move on, not really dwelling on it. This, I believe, keeps them from sounding preachy and allows them to still have fun in a song, while at the same time at least giving you something to think about. I think that they are employing a technique which KRS-ONE coined “edutainment.” And by that I mean still delivering the dose of that “beacon of fun” that you’re looking for, while trying to drop a little education in there as well. Besides, it’s not like this anything new; they’ve been dropping political rhymes since 1989 on Paul’s Boutique. I know that you say that you are aware of what they’re talking about, so it sounds to you a little “been there, done that.” But you’ve got to remember, not every Beasties listener is as well educated, informed, or even as old as we are (and they definitely don’t all listen to NPR, either).

Another aspect of your complaints against the Beasties bothered me as well. You basically shat on what they’re trying to do for Tibet. Yeah, maybe things in Tibet haven’t gotten any better for those living there, but at least these three guys from NYC are doing what they fell is right. And you have to admit that awareness about what is going on over there is definitely better than what it used to be. I think blaming them for lack of change is totally unfair. I think that we’ve all seen what happens in China when people try and affect change. Tiananmen Square, anyone? Trying to change the government in the U.S. is hard enough, and we’re a freakin’ democracy! I actually find it refreshing to find entertainers who actually try and do something with their celebrity status. I knew nothing about Tibet before I went to the first Tibetan Freedom Concert in the summer of 1996, which was put on by the Beasties. Would I have gone if it was just a bunch of whining and crying about Tibet? No way. I went for the entertainment. And I was entertained. Boy, was I entertained! But I was educated, too. After listening to Tibetan monks describe the conditions they were in and torture they went through, and seeing that they still believed in trying to find a peaceful resolution moved me beyond words.

Since then I’ve done my best to not buy anything made in China. Is it helping? I doubt it, but to me, it’s better than doing nothing. And that’s how I think the Beasties feel, they’re not trying to change things overnight with their activism for Tibet, or with their music. They’re just doing what they can do. And that’s rap and make music. And if they can educate some people along the way, great. If not, at least they said what they had to say, and made some pretty dope songs while they were at it.

Besides even if you hate some of the lyrics, you’ve got to admit, the beats are sick! And if you don’t, well, at least you have 5 other Beastie Boys albums you can listen to instead.

max
Jun 17, 02:41 AM

# 4

PREFACE: It should be noted that Christian is the author’s friend since seventh grade, that we were each other’s best men in our respective weddings, and that we rarely agree on anything.

And so I begin a response to his excellent comment:

This, I believe, keeps them from sounding preachy and allows them to still have fun in a song, while at the same time at least giving you something to think about.

I don’t think they should worry about sounding preachy if they are really that concerned about it and our ‘edutainment.’ The lyrics are popular, general Anti-Bush statements that I don’t think will bring about any more learning from their audience. To me, it goes back to the “show and tell” debate in journalism/writing. I think about ‘White Lines’ or early NWA stuff that did a great job ‘showing’ us social ills. This is just ‘telling’ me about problems.

But you’ve got to remember, not every Beasties listener is as well educated, informed, or even as old as we are (and they definitely don’t all listen to NPR, either).

If anyone has gone to get more education from this album, I’ll be greatly surprised. Although it wouldn’t be hard since this is an election year. Let’s just pray they don’t get it from CNN or Fox News.

Another aspect of your complaints against the Beasties bothered me as well. You basically shat on what they’re trying to do for Tibet.

Not really. I’m saying, what, exactly, did they change? Because last I heard, there are still a whole lot of poor monks wishing for their land back in India. I do applaud their effort; I’d applaud louder if they did all that for free. I’m sure they didn’t.

I think blaming them for lack of change is totally unfair. I think that we’ve all seen what happens in China when people try and affect change. Tiananmen Square, anyone?

But we aren’t in China, making this statement pretty irrevelent. They held the concerts here, did their part by donating the proceeds (I assume, having seen no literature on this). However, money talks and bullshit walks. How did those ducats help free Tibet, as they claimed it would help do?

I don’t mean to badger this point too much. I felt like a bit of a bastard for making the statement earlier, but I am a bastard, and I think it needs to be said. Where did that money go? Why is my ‘edutainment’ about Tibet no longer a concern for any entertainer, if this was so important? Is bashing Bush more popular than freeing Tibet now?

After listening to Tibetan monks describe the conditions they were in and torture they went through, and seeing that they still believed in trying to find a peaceful resolution moved me beyond words.

I’m glad you learned something, but it took an entire several day long production to educate you (and the throng of youth attending); more than an album’s worth of a few political lyrics here and there. It did help bring the issue to the young masses; white rich kids who could actually afford to attend the concert.

Since then I’ve done my best to not buy anything made in China. Is it helping? I doubt it, but to me, it’s better than doing nothing.

Good on you for this. I’m all for people doing their part with their talents, but I have not ‘edutained’ by this hodge-podge of lyrics. What are they supposed to accomplish here?

I’ve listened to the album some more, and it is growing on me, especially when it is them being themselves, snotty and having fun. That is what they are best at. I think the political lyrics could have been better thought out to have impact. If it wasn’t meant to have impact, then why have them there at all?

I think this review of the album by The Guardian pretty much sums up my feelings on it. Good, but not great. I felt more about the beauty and love of New York from Paul’s Boutique.