Sabotage

I watched Sabotage last night and I enjoyed it as much as one can enjoy such a dark piece.  It wasn't your typical Schwarzenegger thrill ride, that's for sure.  This one was seriously grim at times; the good guys were seldom that good, though the bad guys were surely that bad.  It was fast-paced, complex, and it was centered by a solid performance from Arnold, who seemed to be summoning Clint Eastwood.  There was definitely a western vibe to the picture and there were enough twists and turns to keep the audience guessing.  Sabotage is a difficult watch in many ways, but it was highly-entertaining, with a game cast and a dark heart to go along with an abundance of violence and profanity. 

Top 5 Beastie Boys Tracks

I've been on a Beastie Boys kick this week, and as a lifelong fan (true story: I liked Paul's Boutique when it dropped--even though many had to warm up to it) I figured I should do a Top 5 to determine which of their songs I like the most.  As with any of these rankings, this is a subjective endeavor, and while I try to lend the overall impact of the subject material some credence in my decision-making, at the end of the day I tend to rock with the stuff I enjoy the most.

Top 5 Beastie Boys Tracks

#5 - Sabotage
Honestly, every song I chose for this Top 5 comes complete with an awesome video.  I'm putting this song at #5, but the video would be #1 if I was doing that list.  Great song, immaculate video.  Still, I'm not putting the song here simply because it was a quality track with a massive video, I think it belongs on this list, and some may even feel that it should rank higher.

#4 - Hey Ladies
Catchy, funny, and very near and dear to my heart, "Hey Ladies" is my favorite song on Paul's Boutique, and I'm pretty sure that Paul's Boutique is my favorite Beastie Boys album.  I know many of you hated it at first, but that album is dope. 

#3 - Intergalactic
Yes, it gets bonus points for the video.  Yes, it's totally awesome.  Yes, the Beastie Boys probably had way too much fun with their art at times, but I don't fault them.  Sometimes I had too much fun with their art as well. 

#2 - Fight for Your Right
This is where it all began for me, and maybe it would be the top song on this list for many.  I saw this video and I was hooked, and somehow I convinced my parents to get the album for me.  I must have been pretty persuasive back then too.  Anyway, this is still a raucous ode to having a good time without asking for permission, and it still rocks.

#1 - So What'cha Want
This is the only one I didn't have to puzzle over.  I'm a huge fan of the band, I've liked every album they've put out, and I dig most of their songs, but this is the one for me.

. . .

Well, what did I get right?  

Where did I go astray?  

I'm beating myself up because none of the instrumentals or punk tracks made the cut, and I also felt that "Pass the Mic" and "No Sleep Till Brooklyn" probably deserved to be on the list. These guys have a killer catalog and this wasn't easy. 

Anyway, I would love to hear from you guys.  What does your Top 5 Beastie Boys Tracks look like?  Remember, sharing is caring.  Unless it's herpes.  Keep that shit to yourself.