PYB appreciation thread

[cj hood]

set the bag on fire for the fuck of it!!! one of the best trax out there!

[Rodie]

Best b-side since Skills to Pay the Bills. Yeah, I said it.

[WesleyOHSnaps!]

Best b-side since Skills to Pay the Bills. Yeah, I said it.

I don't know. "The Vibes" is pretty outstanding.

[Micodin]

Hot beats. I wish Zdar mastered it tho. It's kinda lacking sound quality wise compared to the rest of HSCP2.

I ran it through Protools and boosted it up a little.

[M|X|Y]

^ can you post up your boosted version?

ditto on Zdar mixing it

cosign on this being possibly the hottest track from the HSC period

mike shines like a mofo

[Guy Incognito]

good lyrics but although i like the beat it feels like they were trying to sound like some of the newer acts out there and it doesnt feel like one of their greats.

the sound man losing his soup is class though

[YoungRemy]

Light up my jet pack and I'm gone...

[pshabi]

good lyrics but although i like the beat it feels like they were trying to sound like some of the newer acts out there

Name one. I don't hear anything like this out there.

Respectfully.

It's got ooh ahh eeehs, hoop references, and French lyrics all in the first couple bars! Dats bboy shit!

[Jiberish]

Hot beats. I wish Zdar mastered it tho. It's kinda lacking sound quality wise compared to the rest of HSCP2.

I ran it through Protools and boosted it up a little.

I assumed he had tweaked it a bit, besides the obvious differences it sounds so much better and thicker than the NBA Live Version we were treated to in 2009.

This is sometimes my favorite track of off HSCPtwhatever besides maybe Say It and Long Burn The Fire

[M|X|Y]

there are 2 versions? i thought it was just this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pz4b_ZYKiY

i want to hear micodin's boosted version. killer track but agreed the production could use a bit of a tweak

[Guy Incognito]

Name one. I don't hear anything like this out there.

Respectfully.

It's got ooh ahh eeehs, hoop references, and French lyrics all in the first couple bars! Dats bboy shit!

I thought someone might pick up on that.

I cant name anything in particular. It just sounded a bit less beastie than the rest of the hsc stuff. A bit more formulaic really. apart from the rhymes and the silliness at the end, its just a beat and a couple of loops, didnt seem to be the sonic messing about and random sounds/samples that they usually do.

maybe i shouldnt have said "like others", maybe i should have said its not very typical of them, i could imagine other acts putting out something like that beat and groove. Wherea a lot of their stuff could only be done by them

[tt5brevisited]

Too much Bollywood.

[Brother McDuff]

Hot beats. I wish Zdar mastered it tho. It's kinda lacking sound quality wise compared to the rest of HSCP2.


agree 100%. i think the only thing that keeps it from being my fav HSC era track is the muddy mixdown. the original Too Many Rappers mixdown (the single version I believe) was very similar in that it was similarly dull and flat.

if i recall correctly, the bboys said in an interview that they'd originally intended (and tried) to mix the album down themselves, but eventually came to their senses and enlisted Zdar to take the helm. Pop Your Balloon of course surfaced long before Zdar got involved, so. i suppose the bboys were better suited to stay on the "other side of the glass" so-to-say in the studio.

on a side note, its typical for artists of their caliber and longevity to have poor ears. so many years of creating music and touring turns their ears to shit. very common in fact. i imagine this was a factor in their attempt to mix HSC on their own.

an interesting thought though, i think, is that if Yauch hadn't gotten sick they likely wouldn't have ever second-thought the mixdown and decided to seek out an outside engineer. the whole album's sonic identity would have sounded considerably more amateurish had Yauch's health not turned on him.

[Kid Presentable]

Pop Your Balloon and B-Boys in the Cut both got the Zdar treatment. Alongside the rest of the deluxe download they sound equally as spruced as any one of the album tracks- which is to say they don't compare in the least to the awful OG dull thump mix of Too Many Rapppers.

Maybe I'm wrong.

Pop Your Balloon is good. A little too much like a do-over of Shazam. But good.

It all just ends up making me wonder about the remaining Hot Sauce tracks.

[brooklyndust]

am I the only one around here who actually likes the the OG version of TMR?

[Rodie]

am I the only one around here who actually likes the the OG version of TMR?

II like it, but I do prefer the album version. I still wish a proper copy of the OG version was released though.

Also in the FFYRR/HSCP2 book (which includes Pop Your Balloon and B-Boys in the Cut) it says "all tracks mixed by Beastie Boys and Zdar." I always assumed that they both got re-mixed, I don't see why they wouldn't.

[M|X|Y]

am I the only one around here who actually likes the the OG version of TMR?

no, i liked it better too(y)

[Kid Presentable]

It's not so much the musical arrangement of the original 'version' I didn't feel (although the bassline was a little droll), more the dull and lifeless audio dynamics of the original mix. It sounded so flat and just wrong.

Similar thing sprang out on that Z-Trip mix thingy that came out a while back. I think it was a beat off something from one of their 90s albums which segued into the original mix of Make Some Noise (which would have at that point been on the upcoming HSC1 prior to the delay of both the album and the Z-trip mix), and that mix also sounded weak and flat - a fact which was only highlighted further when side by side with earlier, better mixed/mastered material, too.

It was cool that they went back and re-tooled the final mix. Crud circumstances which surrounded the project, obviously.

Somewhat related, I enjoyed reading this (http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/aug11/articles/it-0811.htm).

[Mr. Juice]

Good call!

Still baffles me why this wasn't on the proper album, although in the age of the digital download I guess it really doesn't matter.

I'm assuming this and "B-Boys In The Cut" didn't make the LP since they had been in circulation prior to the album coming out. "Lee Majors" and "TMR" were also out, but "Lee Majors" was the only hardcore presence on the album and you can't shelve a track with Nas, right? (Although, as much as I hate to say it, I'm still not feeling "TMR.")

"Pop Your Balloon" always cracks me up because the hook is something you might sing at a kid's birthday party, but the verses are the most gangsta the Beasties had been in years...chucking smoke bombs into radio stations and counterfeiting money, c'mon now!

P.S. The B-side version sounds ALOT better than the bootleg I had prior to it coming out which would lead me to believe it was remixed by Zdar as well.

[cj hood]

Good call!

Still baffles me why this wasn't on the proper album, although in the age of the digital download I guess it really doesn't matter.

I'm assuming this and "B-Boys In The Cut" didn't make the LP since they had been in circulation prior to the album coming out. "Lee Majors" and "TMR" were also out, but "Lee Majors" was the only hardcore presence on the album and you can't shelve a track with Nas, right? (Although, as much as I hate to say it, I'm still not feeling "TMR.")

"Pop Your Balloon" always cracks me up because the hook is something you might sing at a kid's birthday party, but the verses are the most gangsta the Beasties had been in years...chucking smoke bombs into radio stations and counterfeiting money, c'mon now!

P.S. The B-side version sounds ALOT better than the bootleg I had prior to it coming out which would lead me to believe it was remixed by Zdar as well.

I still don't feel TMR as well. I think its the worst track on the record. I have both versions of PYB and the album version is definitely crisper...

[Micodin]

Pop Your Balloon and B-Boys in the Cut both got the Zdar treatment.

Incorrect. They were both mixed down by the B-Boys. It doesn't take much of an ear to hear the difference. Zdar has a signature sound in his mixing. But, then again I've been producing music for the past 15+ years.

[Kid Presentable]

Nope. Larry Routine and the deluxe B-boys in the Cut's Larry routine comparison is proof enough. Listen to the 'signature' of the original TMR mix and tell me that the deluxe Pop has anything in common with it. I have a good ear for this shit, without credentials.

Not that it matters. Ask someone close to the band and they'd be like "who cares?" haha

[Jiberish]

Incorrect. They were both mixed down by the B-Boys. It doesn't take much of an ear to hear the difference. Zdar has a signature sound in his mixing. But, then again I've been producing music for the past 15+ years.


Yeah, to me, The PYB B-Side has the same quality in the mixing that the rest of HSCPt2 has. The NBA Live version is so thin and weak in comparison. Even if Zdar did not do the re-mix/master it's pretty clear that it was re-mixed. There are little things in the b-side like Mike's "tron" line and some of the flourishes that are identical to other Zdar/Bboy tweaks throughout the album. Oh well.

[Kid Presentable]

Yeah you listen to the deluxe in full, it all sounds like the same piece of work.

An honest question is: where are the mix credits for the two bonus tracks in question? I'm happy to be wrong, but I've only ever seen all songs mixed by beastie boys and zdar.

And naturally they're going to sound better than the bootleg rips, I just think whatever signature sound there may be, it's evident in all of the tracks intended for the album. Mixed first, cut from the tracklist later.

[Jiberish]

It's not so much the musical

Somewhat related, I enjoyed reading this (http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/aug11/articles/it-0811.htm).

That was an excellent read!

[brooklyndust]

That was an excellent read!

Agreed. A lot of the technical specs were over my head but still interesting to read about the process. I was trying to study the screen shot of the pro tools shot to see any samples they may have used.

[dave790]

I think both the bonus tracks were mixed / mastered by Zdar, it seems obvious enough. I doubt they had the final sequencing down before getting Zdar involved, why would they not cover all the tracks? Also, it seems pretty obvious from hearing the original versions and then comparing them to the versions released on the deluxe edition...

I remain curious to hear the original album as intended, whether for better or worse. It represents a kinda 'lost' artifact. Also, to go against the grain a little here, I don't particularly enjoy Zdar's treatment of Lee Majors. It's like a paradox - overproduced hardcore. And although I agree the original TMR was a bit murky sounding, it is for me the superior version.

[Micodin]

Nope. Larry Routine and the deluxe B-boys in the Cut's Larry routine comparison is proof enough. Listen to the 'signature' of the original TMR mix and tell me that the deluxe Pop has anything in common with it. I have a good ear for this shit, without credentials.

Not that it matters. Ask someone close to the band and they'd be like "who cares?" haha

I'm not going to get in a pissing match. Basically because I don't give a fuck.

I have the deluxe versions of PYB & B-Boys in the Cut and I feel they didn't have the punch that the rest of the record has. Whatever. I put them both in Protools 10 and they sound a lot better to my ears.

To each his own. I was just saying I have an ear for it because my job is DJing and music production. I wasn't trying to be a prick.

Carry on.

[M|X|Y]

The phasey/flangey sound that was added or made more prominent to the final version of TMR was unnecessary and kind of broke it. And yeah, i guess the mix or remaster or whatever it's called - the sound was different

[cj hood]

Rickity-rickity-rickity-rickity-wow!

[Jiberish]

Do your dance Mike/ Because I'm built for speed like a tour de France Bike

[Kid Presentable]

I was just saying I have an ear for it because my job is DJing and music production. I wasn't trying to be a prick.

Carry on.

It's all good. I know you weren't, and neither was I. In fact, if anything I was lameting my own lack of credentials. You made your assertion on a sound basis, and if McDuff concurs then there must be something in it. I just hear it differently and have missed discussions as pointless as this so very much. It's like 2003!

[Jay Stone]

It's not so much the musical arrangement of the original 'version' I didn't feel (although the bassline was a little droll), more the dull and lifeless audio dynamics of the original mix. It sounded so flat and just wrong.

Similar thing sprang out on that Z-Trip mix thingy that came out a while back. I think it was a beat off something from one of their 90s albums which segued into the original mix of Make Some Noise (which would have at that point been on the upcoming HSC1 prior to the delay of both the album and the Z-trip mix), and that mix also sounded weak and flat - a fact which was only highlighted further when side by side with earlier, better mixed/mastered material, too.

It was cool that they went back and re-tooled the final mix. Crud circumstances which surrounded the project, obviously.

Somewhat related, I enjoyed reading this (http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/aug11/articles/it-0811.htm).

That was a very dope article you linked to. Thanks.

[Sir SkratchaLot]

If you look at the 7" it says "Produced [and written] by Beastie Boys". There's no mixing credit on there, which is what Zdar handled and "Produced" probably just means they put the raw track together so that pretty much tells us nothing.

[Brother McDuff]

Very interesting. I remember downloading PYB from itunes before the album dropped, when it was attached to a single (i thought) and hoping that it was a better mix, and i remember that i was ultimately disappointed. listening to the preview on itunes now from the deluxe version though, it is definitely improved.

this is so very exciting! always wanted a better mix on this and behold it was right under my nose the entire time! (what a dope i am)


p.s. was pop your balloon ever released along with TMR or MSN at any point? i really feel like i'd downloaded the earlier mix before from itunes... Am I nuts or something?

p.s.s. oh yeah, these deluxe versions of the b-sides are no doubt remixed. sweeeeeet. damn, realizing that i had never even heard the non-edited version of PYB until right now. what a treat.:)

[dave790]

I thought you (McDuff) must have somehow missed the spruced up version just from reading your post. In any case there really is no debate - those bonus tracks definitely were given the Zdar treatment, professional DJ-opinion or not... I can understand your excitement though!

I have no idea where you downloaded PYB from originally. I thought it was only knocking about before due to the game soundtrack it was on (some basketball game...NBA Street?) - that's where I downloaded the rip from (illegally), I think it must have been in place on the soundtrack before the album was delayed.

B-Boys acapella and Lee Majors were the only songs 'officially' released via the 7" which came with the Check Your head re-issue viny, and obviously the original TMR came out on itunes but as a one-track single. PYB definitely never made it to the UK itunes and I do not think it was made available aside from the game soundtrack. Either way, the difference between those versions is there for all to see...

One question I have - does anyone know if the original B-Boys in the Cut was actually released in full? I think the 2009 version I have was put together by a fan (I remember them sending out the instrumental in an e-mail). But I vaguely remember Zane Lowe playing it too, though I'm not sure if that was official or just a mix put together by a fan. I just remember the timing being slightly different, e.g. Adrocks last verse on my original version comes in slightly later. Sorry if this all sounds a bit confusing!

[M|X|Y]

can someone post some links? i'm confused now

[Guy Incognito]

. But I vaguely remember Zane Lowe playing it too, though I'm not sure if that was official or just a mix put together by a fan. I just remember the timing being slightly different, e.g. Adrocks last verse on my original version comes in slightly later. Sorry if this all sounds a bit confusing!

that deffo happened, fairly sure there was a short recorded interview to preview it with at least one of the band

[Micodin]

those bonus tracks definitely were given the Zdar treatment, professional DJ-opinion or not...

Wow. Shots fired!

I got PYB and B-Boys in the Cut as bonus songs from the deluxe version of HSCP2 on iTunes.

Even at 256 kbps they still don't have the punch that the rest of the record has. I would agree to disagree... but you're wrong.

[Jiberish]

Wow. Shots fired!

I got PYB and B-Boys in the Cut as bonus songs from the deluxe version of HSCP2 on iTunes.

Even at 256 kbps they still don't have the punch that the rest of the record has. I would agree to disagree... but you're wrong.

Could it be that they were mastered differently than the final album sequence? They are clearly remixed from the original release and leak, and again to me, they have the same "ear taste" as the Zdar mixes.

[Micodin]

Could it be that they were mastered differently than the final album sequence?

That I do agree with. If Zdar mixed them, I don't think he spent the time with them as painstaking did with the rest of the album. He could of given them a once over and bounced them.

Just comparing the wave sizes in Protools the bonus tracks are smaller than the rest of the album.

Listening to them in 7.1 they just sound thiner than the rest of HSCP2.

[Sir SkratchaLot]

That I do agree with. If Zdar mixed them, I don't think he spent the time with them as painstaking did with the rest of the album. He could of given them a once over and bounced them.

Just comparing the wave sizes in Protools the bonus tracks are smaller than the rest of the album.

Listening to them in 7.1 they just sound thiner than the rest of HSCP2.

You also have to remember that they are not album tracks and didn't end up on the CD. It could be that the tracks were mastered for vinyl only and those versions mastered for the vinly were converted to digital files, which could be why they aren't mastered as hot.

[Jiberish]

That I do agree with. If Zdar mixed them, I don't think he spent the time with them as painstaking did with the rest of the album. He could of given them a once over and bounced them.

Just comparing the wave sizes in Protools the bonus tracks are smaller than the rest of the album.

Listening to them in 7.1 they just sound thiner than the rest of HSCP2.

That awesome article that was linked a few posts up interviewing Mike D and Zdar mentions that they took it to somebody else to get Mastered. I bet Zdar didn't oversee the mastering of the b-sides.

phew. Glad we got to the bottom of this.

[Kid Presentable]

Another nice thing about that article is being able to enlarge that studio shot to see a copy of Stepfather on the console. Great album. I like the possibility of them listening to that; I like that they like that and sometimes like liking things they like.

[laurie_hammy]

This would be in my top 10 Beastie songs ever for sure. Imagine live my goodness. I played that NBA low quality version for sooo long. Still remember waiting up till midnight to buy the proper version off itunes.

[JoLovesMCA]

I like the indepth discussion about this one track. It's flawless even in the lowest quality. Nice to see it get it's own thread! (y)

[Brother McDuff]

zdar or not, all that matters is that the deluxe version is far better fidelity than the 45 bootleg (and nba live rip) that was floating around. there's definitely still some sort of digital distortion goin on somewhere in there, but i find it hard to complain considering its such an improvement compared to the PYB i'd come know.

[Micodin]

I find it hilarious that people are just catching on that PYB and B-Boys in the Cut were on the deluxe version. I'm a completist so I grabbed them shits the day they dropped.

I was never complaining about the sound quality. I fixed that to my own liking. My point was that they sound quite different compared to the mixing & mastering that Zdar did with HSCP2.

Personally, I enjoy both the songs a lot.

All that really matters is that PYB is a dope B-side which is what this thread was all about.

[dave790]

All that really matters is that PYB is a dope B-side which is what this thread was all about.

Agreed - and I wasn't firing shots, I just thought it the Z-mans treatment was pretty clear even to the untrained ear!

Almost completely off-topic but I've really been getting into And Then I again since someone mentioned it in another thread recently. I only just realised the synthesised vocal/sample or whatever is saying 'And Then I'... So take no notice of me! But man, what a fucking off-cut that is. And at least we know for sure that Duro was the mixer-supreme on that one...

edit: it was an actual thread on And Then I... I should visit that instead.

[beasties#1fan]

am I the only one around here who actually likes the the OG version of TMR?

I do too, I remember reading a while back that everyone like MCA's intro verse on the album version better, and I totally disagree. *i love both, but the single version is the best*
"Yo, I've been in the game since before you was born"

[Laver1969]

I've been jamming PYB a lot on repeat. I think this is in my all time top 10.

[Michelle*s_Farm]

[QUOTE=Laver1969;1808333]I've been jamming PYB a lot on repeat. I think this is in my all time top 10.[/QUOTE

Dunno, there are easily 10 over tracks to kick PYB's ass, no?

[MCScoobyT]

the sounds in the Money Mark song 'Dha Teen Ta' (http://youtu.be/qU12_alNt5E)remind me of 'Pop Your Balloon'.

[Jiberish]

the sounds in the Money Mark song 'Dha Teen Ta' (http://youtu.be/qU12_alNt5E)remind me of 'Pop Your Balloon'.

Yes! I would not be surprised if they remembered this song when hey were making their drum beat.