Beastie Boys Mark 20th Anniversary of "Paul's Boutique" With New Website, Studio Update

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To mark the 20th anniversary of the Beastie Boys' classic Paul's Boutique on July 25th, Mike D suggests fans enjoy a celebratory toast, while Adrock recommends an interstate chug. But since that's way off in the future — after the New York trio rock Bonnaroo — the group is providing fans with a way to dig into their 1989 LP's myriad samples and references right now with a brand-new Paul's Boutique Website and reissue. The remastered album is available digitally today, and buyers will receive 3D interactive digital artwork upon ordering. Pre-orders for CD and vinyl versions — which come in configurations that include an eight-foot wide poster of the album art and limited edition T-shirts — also start today.

The Daily Swarm directed us to a new Skype interview Topspin's Ian Rogers conducted with Mike D, MCA, Adrock and a talking dog from the Boys' NYC studio, Oscilloscope Labs. It's a bit short on the usual Beastie antics and long on awkward pauses, though there is a classic warning about the strength of the remastered LP. "There's enough bass on there to shatter your one frozen testicle," says MCA. "So I caution anyone, if your one testicle is frozen, stand down. ... It's a risk." "Or just adjust your EQ level," suggests Adrock.

As far as their next studio album goes, the group says they're "Pretty close to done. We're like bankers, we show up in the morning, we punch in and punch out," MCA says. "It's just an exciting time for the group," Adrock adds. "There's so much activity and buzz." This somehow spawns a conversation about crane operators. If this is how all Beastie Boy brainstorming sessions go ... well, it explains a lot. So fans, it's your choice: should the Beasties call their next album The Bankers of the First Centennial, or The Crane Operator and the Danglers?

For an even better experience, head on over to the massive, activity-filled sub-site dedicated to the Paul's Boutique reissue, where you can download the trio's new Audio Commentary about the recording of the album, watch the video for "Shadrach (Mosh Version)," read stories about people's experiences with the album from around the world and much more. Plus, you can pretend you're a DJ and spin a record or challenge each of the Beasties in a digital game of Three Minute Ping Pong (Make sure you keep Adrock on his backhand in Round 2).

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Song Stories

“He Will Break Your Heart”

Jerry Butler | 1960

A lightly swinging Latin-influenced, almost cha-cha groove and close harmonies decorated Jerry Butler's early soul hit "He Will Break Your Heart," delivering a stately warning that his rival would never love his girl like he did. The melody came to Butler as he was driving on the highway from Atlantic City, New Jersey, to Philadelphia with Curtis Mayfield, and as Butler told Rolling Stone, "I just sang the melody and Curtis put the chords to it." The song's premise, Butler added, "was something that I'd lived ...The lyric was an experience rather than a revelation. Whereas music is usually a revelation."

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