Tracklist
| Sure Shot | 3:19 | X |
| Tough Guy | 0:57 | X |
| B-Boys Makin' With The Freak Freak | 3:53 | X |
| Bobo On The Corner | 1:13 | X |
| Root Down | 3:32 | X |
| Sabotage | 2:58 | X |
| Get It Together | 4:05 | X |
| Sabrosa | 3:29 | X |
| The Update | 3:15 | X |
| Futterman's Rule | 3:42 | X |
| Alright Hear This | 3:07 | X |
| Eugene's Lament | 2:12 | X |
| Flute Loop | 1:54 | X |
| Do It | 3:16 | X |
| Ricky's Theme | 3:43 | X |
| Heart Attack Man | 2:15 | X |
| The Scoop | 3:36 | X |
| Shambala | 3:40 | X |
| Bodhisattva Vow | 3:08 | X |
| Transitions | 2:31 | X |
Versions
| Title, Format | Label | Cat# | Country | Year | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ill Communication (CD, Album) | Capitol Records, Grand Royal | C2 7243 8 28599 2 5 | US | 1994 | |
| Ill Communication (2xLP, Album) | Grand Royal | GR 006 | US | 1994 | |
| Ill Communication (2xLP, Album, Gat) | Capitol Records | C1 7243 8 28599 1 8 | US | 1994 | |
| Ill Communication (2xLP, Album, Gat) | Capitol Records | EST 2229 | UK | 1994 | |
| Ill Communication (CD) | Toshiba EMI Ltd | TOCP-8230 | Japan | 1994 | |
| Ill Communication (CD, Album) | Capitol Records, Grand Royal | CDP 528599 | US | 1994 | |
| Ill Communication (CD, Album) | BMG Direct Marketing, Inc., Capitol Records | D124717, CDP 7243 8 28599 2 5 | US | 1994 | |
| Ill Communication (CD, Album) | Capitol Records | 7243 8 28599 2 5 | Italy | 1994 | |
| Ill Communication (CD, Album) | Capitol Records, Grand Royal | 7243 8 28599 2 5, CDEST 2229 | UK & Europe | 1994 | |
| Ill Communication (CD, Album) | Capitol Records | C2 7243 8 28599 2 5 | Canada | 1994 | |
| Ill Communication (CD, Album) | EMI Music (Brazil) | 8 28599 2 | Brazil | 1994 | |
| Ill Communication (Cass, Album) | Capitol Records | 7243 8 28599 4 9 | US | 1994 | |
| Ill Communication (CD, Album) | Capitol Records, Capitol Records, Grand Royal, Grand Royal | 7243 8 28599 2 5, CDEST 2229 | UK & Europe | 1995 | |
| Ill Communication (Remastered Edition) (CD, Album, RM + CD, Comp, RM) | Capitol Records, Grand Royal | 509996 94232 22 | US | 2009 | |
| Ill Communication *Limited Collector's Edition (3xLP, 180) | Brooklyn Dust Music | No Catalog # Listed | US | 2009 | |
| Ill Communication (2xLP, Album, RM, RE, Gat) | Capitol Records, Grand Royal | 509996 94232 15 | US | 2009 | |
| Ill Communication (CD) | Capitol Records, EMI Music (Canada) | C2 7243 8 285992 5 | Canada |
▸ show all 4 reviews
Reviews & Discussion
Review by
Aug 28, 2007
(edited over 2 years ago)
referencing Ill Communication, Cass, Album, 7243 8 28599 4 9
My favorite Beastie Boys release purely for the vast range of tracks given. We have Pop Rap, Budda chanting type instrumentals, and yeah, frigg'n grunge metal! A classic album featuring two great artsits Q-Tip and Biz Markie. Both happen to appear on my two favorite tracks on the disc. Lots of humor and great beats but after a while I get sick of that distortion they use in every track they sing on! Especially Mike D's voice.
Review by
Oct 21, 2007
referencing Ill Communication, CD, Album, 7243 8 28599 2 5, CDEST 2229
My favorite Beastie Boys release purely for the vast range of tracks given. We have Pop Rap, Budda chanting type instrumentals, and yeah, frigg'n grunge metal! A classic album featuring two great artsits Q-Tip and Biz Markie. Both happen to appear on my two favorite tracks on the disc. Lots of humor and great beats but after a while I get sick of that distortion they use in every track they sing on! Especially Mike D's voice.
referencing Ill Communication, CD, Album, C2 7243 8 28599 2 5
While Paul's Boutique and Licensed To Ill were definitely landmark albums, for me Ill Communication takes the title of being the Beastie Boys' best, although Check Your Head comes close. This album shows how much the group branched out in terms of the diversity of its music, showcasing the more creative side of its members and demonstrating that Adrock, MCA, and Mike D were more than just MCs - they could play instruments well too. The multiple jazzy instrumentals are definitely a highlight of the album, as is the accompaniment of Money Mark on keyboards throughout. Somehow even the two speed punk songs fit in and complete the album to fully represent everything the Beastie Boys are capable of. Some personal favorites include "Ricky's Theme", "Flute Loop", and "Get It Together" featuring Q-Tip, but the entire album is solid... definitely an essential 90s hip-hop release.
referencing Ill Communication, 2xLP, Album, GR 006
The most underrated Beastie Boys album, left in the shadow of "Paul's Botique". Includes such gems as "Sure Shot", "Root Down", "Sabotage", "Alright Hear This", "Flute Loop" and "Do it". The style of this album combines jazz, punk and rap. Differs from "Paul's Botique" with less sample-driven sound and more punk-jazz with deep double bass sounds, self-played instruments etc.