Beastie Boys — The Mix-Up

Ad Rock, Mike D and MCA have issued a challenge to the DJs of the world. With The Mix-Up they're serving up a solid backdrop for a mash-up, but unfortunately not much of an album. You get the Beasties' trademark funk undertone throughout, which assists in transition from track to track and gets the job done if you throw it on at a party. "B For My Name," "Off The Grid" and "Freaky Hijiki" are complicated post-punk rockers with tons of layers. But I just can't see The Mix-Up realizing its potential until it's re-imagined by someone else. A remix album full of heavy hitting MCs would really take the material over the top — maybe Beastie Boys vs. Parliament present The Mix-Up From The Downstroke or, for some Cancon flavour, Beastie Friendz, Mix Up, Scale Down. Get to work, Danger Mouse.