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the9thbeastie
10-16-2011, 02:35 PM
I picked up the relatively new Def Jam Records Anniv. coffee table book ($60). I probably wouldn't have bought it if it had not been shrink-wrap sealed. Yet, curiosity got the best of me and I now own it. The book is 85% photos, of which 70% are nothing new and instead are shots from promotional photo shoots. The person(s) who put it together did not contact us at beastiemania.com for input. I wish they had, because I have some cool items relating to other Def Jam artists outside of the Beastie Boys.

Amongst the photos of the Beastie Boys, there were not any new game-changing revelations...instead just previously tilled soil. The editor was able to get both Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons to briefly comment about the Beastie Boys departure from the label...but again it was the same old song and dance that I have read in numerous other interviews. I often feel like these interviews were conducted with Teddy Ruxpin - which someone has popped a cassette tape into the back of... the cassette tape with the same responses to the same questions.

sab0tage
10-16-2011, 02:46 PM
Amongst the photos of the Beastie Boys, there were not any new game-changing revelations...instead just previously tilled soil.

Not surprising I guess, was it worth the $60 though?

the9thbeastie
10-16-2011, 03:15 PM
Not surprising I guess, was it worth the $60 though?

It was not worth the $60.00 to me - and I like a lot of the artists who were once on Def Jam. I was hoping to learn something new about Def Jam. Previous books about Rick and Russell have also failed - but as big as this book is; I figured it had to have something new in it. I suspect the problem is that no one recalls much from the period which I am interested in 1984-1988. Many of the photos you all have seen already - they're in the Beastie Boys Sounds of Science Anthology Booklet.

Laver1969
10-17-2011, 04:47 AM
I picked up the book on Amazon and it was only $35. I haven't read it yet, but visually it's great to flip through. I've seen a lot of the pictures but there a few new ones. I liked seeing the old business cards and flyers.

I'd absolutely recommend it to any Beastie or Def Jam fan.

Cey Adams and Bill Adler are also having a multi-media presentation/conversation in Chicago soon. (y)