Beastie Boys recently set up a new studio and have begun work on their sixth studio album, which they hope to finish next year. So far they've drummed up some fat beats, but haven't completed any full songs, according to the group's publicist.

More than four years have passed since the group released its last album, Hello Nasty. In that time the bandmembers have coordinated Tibetan Freedom Concerts and embraced other political causes, closed their record label Grand Royal, and waited for rapper Mike D to recover from shoulder surgery he needed after crashing his bike.

Aside from two September 11 benefit shows last October in New York, there's been little recent musical action in the Beastie camp, causing some to write the group off as casualties of hip-hop evolution.

The group's DJ, Mix Master Mike, is currently on tour opening for Guns N' Roses, but is expected to join the Beasties in the sonic laboratory when he finishes the tour.

—Jon Wiederhorn