With its title, it’s obvious that the new Beastie Boys CD, “To the 5 Boroughs,” was going to be an album about and for people who, like the band members themselves, call New York City home.
And not surprisingly, the subject of New York City meant addressing the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attack and the political policies that have followed. What might surprise some is that “To the 5 Boroughs” is just as much an album filled with humor and playfulness as it is about the sobering events.
To Mike Diamond (or Mike D, as he’s known within the Beastie Boys), these elements all very much reflect the portrait of New York City that he and his musical partners, Adam Yauch (MCA) and Adam Horovitz (Adrock) wanted to present on “To the 5 Boroughs.”
“Being in New York for 9-11, and making the album by New Yorkers in a post-9-11 New York City, it’s almost like we couldn’t not touch on that,” Diamond said. “But at the same time, it was also very interesting what was happening in New York City.
“Of course there was an element in post-9-11 where people were very serious and talking, and deservedly so, about the tragedy that had happened. People were really caring for each other and also people really would talk meaningfully about what New York City meant to them. And of course you had to think about politics too. …
“But at the same time, also kind of what happened in New York City and happened to us was I think there was a tremendous need for music and to sort of have a good time and enjoying the process of living life.”
These disparate elements and emotions all find their way into the 15 songs that make up “For the 5 Boroughs.”
The Beastie Boys, on the first tour in six years, perform Sunday at KeyArena in Seattle.
The group had its beginnings in 1981 when Yauch (on bass and vocals) and Diamond (on vocals) formed the original Beastie Boys lineup with guitarist John Berry and drummer Kate Schellenbach (who went on to play in Luscious Jackson).
By 1983, Horovitz had replaced Berry and the trio of Yauch, Diamond and Horovitz decided to move on together without Schellenbach.
After making a name for themselves on the New York City club scene, the group landed a deal with Def Jam Records, paving the way for the 1986 release of the group’s genre-defining debut CD, “License to Ill.”
Fueled by the rowdy rap-rock hit single, “Fight for Your Right,” that CD became the first rap CD ever to reach No. 1 on the pop charts.
The Beastie Boys perform Sunday in Seattle.
7:30 p.m. Sunday, KeyArena, Seattle Center; $32.17-$43.89, 206-628-0888.
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