Artist: Beastie Boys

Album: “The Mix Up”

Release date: June 26, 2007

Label: Capitol Records

Availability: CD, iTunes

When you tear the cellophane off your brand new copy of the Beastie Boys’ newest release and pop it in your player, you may notice something missing from the music.

It seems as though the Beastie Boys were in such a hurry to record their next album, “The Mix Up,” that they for got to lay down vocal tracks over the samples. But fear not, Beastie fans, even without their trademark mind-blowing rhymes, the Boys can still bring down the house.

One problem that happens with an instrumental album is the songs start sounding the same and tend to get boring. There’s no sign of boredom in here though. The album is a good mix of post-punk instrumental numbers influenced by hip-hop, jazz and funk.

The best part is it’s all totally danceable. The catchy synthesizer line in “Off the Grid” gets in your head and the drum beat moves your soul. The song moves from one good part to another as it seamlessly transforms into a pounding guitar-driven tune.

Many of the songs like “Dramastically Different” are a throwback to ’60s-era jams. “Dramastically Different” goes on a psychedelic trip with the sounds of sitar over jazzy bass and funky drums.

Other songs like “The Cousin of Death” feature droning distorted guitar that sounds like samples from “Jefferson Airplaine,” while the “14th St. Break” features early Pink Floyd-sounding guitar and organ.

This album will definitely leave many fans unsatisfied and craving a new album with vocal tracks, but don’t let that scare you away. The album is great to enjoy while driving or at the hippest get-togethers. It’s guaranteed if you play this CD at a party, somebody will come up to you and ask, “What is this amazing music and where can I get it?”