Check-ch-check-check-check-ch-check it out

The day before change. In a dimly light room, the heat, the smell, the sound of the crowd, and the huge, frakking sandwich I had to eat while holding a cup of beer, this is what I was in before the Beastie Boys came on stage. But when they did, laying down the track and vocals to "Root Down," everything else faded away, if only for a moment. In the confines of the 9:30 club, I experienced the majesty of a Beastie Boys for the second time in three months. If nothing else, this presidential election has afforded me this.

Now, the boys did not arrive alone, being in tow Citizen Cope and Sheryl Crow, this lineup was one of the most interesting since the last Beastie concert.

Citizen Copy, being the second time I have seen him live, is still just as mellow as the first. Only recognizing songs from his first album under Dreamworks Records, "Let the Drummer Kick" and "Bullet and a Target" were stripped down affairs consisting of only his guitar, voice and limited backtracks. They were mildly refreshing and rewarding. In a smaller venue, I believe his performance would be greater appreciated.

As for Crow, a good rock show as always. She was optimistic about our new President and rightly began her set with "A Change Would Do You Good." Slightly less political since the last show I saw her at, it was nice to focus on the music a little more this evening. "If It Makes You Happy" was a highlight for me, the intro guitar riff, the huge sing-along chorus, the drums, they were all top notch. Closing her set with a cover of "Higher Ground," it reaffirmed that the Red Hot Chill Peppers did a much better job covering that song, but she did her part in making the night enjoyable.

Now, after a seemingly long delay, The Beastie Boys came on and basically had fun for an hour. The interaction with the crowd and with each other were top notch. After 20 plus years in existence, I still feel great energy and vibe from the boys. Sticking mainly with their Capital and Grand royal years, "So Whatcha Want," "Intergalactic," "Sure Shot" still sound fresh after all those years. And taking it back to their first album, "No Sleep 'til Brooklyn" was a audio delight, cutting in some new tracks and beats throughout the song, I enjoyed the travel back in spirit and time. Closing out on real instruments, they rocked an instrumental from The Mix Up, and rightfully closed out the show with "Sabotage" on all cylinders. It was great seeing them play that song live.

It was a great time, this was a sub par review, but overall, I am more than glad to see and write about the Beastie Boys.