To The 5 Boroughs
by Beastie Boys
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: Jun 15, 2004
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 25 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 13 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 10 out of 25
  3. Negative: 2 out of 25
  1. Blender
    60
    This formula wears thin over the 15 cuts here. [#27, p.137]
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  2. Q Magazine
    60
    The Beastie Boys have always been at their best when gleefully rhyming and stealing from a variety of sources--both musically and lyrically--and the self-imposed adherence to hip hop traditionalism here, and indeed musically on the album as a whole, rather subdues their famously free-form sonic palette. [Jul 2004, p.108]
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  3. Alternative Press
    60
    Most of Boroughs feels like they're sampling themselves. [Aug 2004, p.120]
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  5. ShakingThrough.net
    60
    To the 5 Boroughs is continuously distracted from its titular dedication by political concerns, severely dampening not only its replay factor but also proving to be the least fun album the normally surefire trio has made.
  6. Dot Music
    60
    Imagine "Hello Nasty" if it had entirely consisted of "Three MCs And One DJ" and you're close to understanding exactly how "To The 5 Boroughs" sounds.
  7. The New York Times
    60
    The tracks crackle and swing with a wit that the lyrics rarely match.
  8. The Guardian
    60
    The beats bounce along happily enough... but the stripped-down sound focuses attention on the anti-Bush lyrics, and that proves to be the album's undoing.
  9. Tiny Mix Tapes
    50
    The lyrics on To The 5 Boroughs are, with a few exceptions, a dismal failure.
  10. Stylus Magazine
    50
    They sound old. They sound past it. They sound, and this is one word that nobody would have ever thought could be used to describe the Beasties, irrelevant.
  11. Austin Chronicle
    40
    Mostly they just sound dated and out of it.

Awards & Rankings

35
#35 Most Discussed Album of 2004
19
#19 Most Shared Album of 2004

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 75 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 59 out of 75
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 75
  3. Negative: 8 out of 75
  1. j30
    Aug 15, 2011
    8
    Average record comparatively to earlier B-Boys' records, but still awesome. I do miss the instrumental work, but this is just pure Hip-hopAverage record comparatively to earlier B-Boys' records, but still awesome. I do miss the instrumental work, but this is just pure Hip-hop record. A love letter of some sort to the city they love, New York City.… Full Review »
  2. iamtheoneneo
    Aug 10, 2011
    9
    Don't get all the hate for this album tbh , I really like it. I think its pretty clever all round and has some cracking dialogue presentedDon't get all the hate for this album tbh , I really like it. I think its pretty clever all round and has some cracking dialogue presented throughout. classics like: "walk like jabba the hut" , "which one of you shunks took my rhyme book" lol

    I think it flows really well aswell, more so then any other BB album I own. I think regardless of the wait for this it is a great modern album and one that has the BB written all over it.    … Full Review »
  3. RG.
    Oct 26, 2007
    3
    Very disappointing. Cannot understand why the B-boys have decided to separate their hip-hop personae from their instrumental side - that Very disappointing. Cannot understand why the B-boys have decided to separate their hip-hop personae from their instrumental side - that combination is what made them so interesting, fresh and innovative over the past decade and a half (longer, really), and it's absence is exactly what's made the last 2 CD's so boring.… Full Review »
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