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NEXT STOP…EASTSIDE MOTEL

This past week, one of my friends brought to my attention a true comedic gem that should not go unnoticed.


I’m sure you’re familiar with Warren G and Nate Dogg’s hip hop masterpiece Regulate. What you may not be aware of is the song’s comedic value. It’s not so much the song that makes me laugh, but if you pay attention to the lyrics and the story being told, you might find yourself chuckling. What nearly made me spit my morning coffee out was the wikipedia synopsis for Regulate. I’m not going to dilly dally anymore…see for yourself (also, be sure to watch the music video after the synopsis).

(from wikipedia)

On a cool, clear night (typical to Southern California) Warren G travels through his neighborhood, searching for women with whom he might initiate sexual intercourse. He has chosen to engage in this pursuit alone.[6]

Nate Dogg, having just arrived in the east side of Long Beach, seeks Warren. On his way to find Warren, Nate passes a car full of women who are excited to see him. Regardless, he insists to the women that there is no cause for excitement.

Warren makes a left turn at 21st Street and Lewis Ave, in the East Hill/Salt Lake neighborhood[7], where he sees a group of young men enjoying a game of dice together. He parks his car and greets them. He is excited to find people to play with, but to his chagrin, he discovers they intend to relieve him of his material possessions. Once the hopeful robbers reveal their firearms, Warren realizes he is in a less than favorable predicament.

Meanwhile, Nate passes the women, as they are low on his list of priorities. His primary concern is locating Warren. After curtly casting away the strumpets (whose interest in Nate was such that theycrashed their automobile), he serendipitously stumbles upon his friend, Warren G, being held up by the young miscreants.

Warren, unaware that Nate is surreptitiously observing the scene unfold, is in disbelief that he is being robbed. The perpetrators have taken jewelry and a Rolex Watch from Warren, who is so incredulous that he asks what else the robbers intend to steal. This is most likely a rhetorical question.

Observing these unfortunate proceedings, Nate realizes that he may have to use his firearm to deliver his friend from harm.

The tension crescendos as the robbers point their guns to Warren’s head. Warren senses the gravity of his situation. He cannot believe the events unfolding could happen in his own neighborhood. As he imagines himself making a fantastical escape, he catches a glimpse of his friend, Nate.

Nate has seventeen cartridges (sixteen residing in the pistol‘s magazine, with a solitary round placed in the chamber and ready to be fired) to expend on the group of robbers. Afterward, he generously shares the credit for neutralizing the situation with Warren, though it is clear that Nate did all of the difficult work. Putting congratulations aside, Nate quickly reminds himself that he has committed multiple homicides to save Warren before letting his friend know that there are females nearby if he wishes to fornicate with them.

Warren recalls that it was the promise of copulation that coaxed him away from his previous activities, and is thankful that Nate knows a way to satisfy these urges. Nate quickly finds the women who earlier crashed their car on Nate’s account. He remarks to one that he is fond of her physical appeal. The woman, impressed by Nate’s singing ability, asks that he and Warren allow her and her friends to share transportation. Soon, both friends are driving with automobiles full of women to the East Side Motel, presumably to consummate their flirtation in an orgy!

The third verse is more expository, with Warren and Nate explaining their G Funk musical style. Warren displays his bravado by daring anyone to approach the style. There follows a brief discussion of the genre’s musicological features, with special care taken to point out that in said milieu the rhythm is not in fact the rhythm, as one might assume, but actually the bass. Similarly the bass serves a purpose closer to that which the treble would in more traditional musical forms. Nate displays his bravado by claiming that individuals with equivalent knowledge could not even attempt to approach his level of lyrical mastery. Nate goes on to note that if any third party smokes as he does, they would find themselves in a state of intoxication almost daily (from Nate’s other works, it can be inferred that the substance referenced is marijuana[8]). Nate concludes his delineation of the night by issuing a threat to “busters,” suggesting that he and Warren will further “regulate” any potential incidents in the future (presumably by engaging their antagonists with small arms fire).


http://www.youtube.com/v/1plPyJdXKIY?fs=1&hl=en_US

dreams

It’s been over a week since I saw Inception and i’m still thinking about it…which I absolutely love! I have a total weakness for movies that make me think for days on end once the credits start rolling, and other than Pixar films and the occasional low budget indie, not many movies like Inception are being released these days. Not only is it an original story, but the cast is superb, the special effects and editing are brilliant, Hanz Zimmer’s score is a perfect blend of music and noise, and Christopher Nolan’s directing is spot on (no surprise here). If you haven’t seen it yet…go! If you have already…see it again!

…and seeing as how Inception is all about dreams, here’s a little something for your listening pleasure.

Dark Night of the Soul




The long awaited collaboration between Danger Mouse, Mark Linkous (aka Sparklehorse), and David Lynch, Dark Night of the Soul, is being released today. To sum things up…WOW.

Tragically, Linkous took his own life earlier this year, which unfortunately resonates throughout the record. But I actually find the record to be quite uplifting and tribute to Linkous’s artistry.

How this record came to be is quite interesting. The idea first came to fruitition when Danger Mouse was working with Linkous on the last Sparklehorse record, Dreamt for Light Years in the Belly of a Mountain. Apparently, Linkous had written a number of songs he wasn’t comfortable singing, so Danger Mouse suggested guest vocals. Along with Danger Mouse, Linkous, and Lynch, other artists lending their talents include Wayne Coyne (The Flaming Lips), James Mercer (The Shins, Broken Bells), Iggy Pop, Julian Casablancas (The Strokes), Frank Black (The Pixies), and Nina Persson (The Cardigans).

As always, Danger Mouse’s production is as close to perfection as you could ask for. Linkous’s lyrics are hauntingly surreal with dark and light themes, and with photographs created by David Lynch to capture the visual aspects of the record (he also lends his vocal talents to a couple of tracks), you have the ingredients for purely fantastic record.

Key Tracks: Revenge, Just War, Star Eyes, Daddy’s Gone


Dark Night of the Soul is currently available to listen in it’s entirety at NPR Music.

More at http://www.dnots.com/

the big 2-5


“Goonies never say die!”…boy was Mikey right


The Goonies turned 25 today. And like so many kids from the 80s, I grew up with this wild adventure. I have vivid memories of playing “Goonies” in my backyard, fighting with my friends over who got to be Data (who wouldn’t want to be the guy with “slick shoes”), and wishing we would discover a series of caves leading to the rich stuff (actually, we were probably hoping more for the water slides that lead to the rich stuff).


The Goonies is one of those rare movies that I can turn on at any point and instantly be held by it’s grasp. When I hear Dave Grusin’s fantastic score, all I want to do is go on an adventure. If Cyndi Lauper’s The Goonies ‘R’ Good Enough comes on my iPod, I can’t help but want to put some track shorts on the outside of my sweats and workout all day so I’m nice and cut for my date with Andy. And probably best of all, The Goonies continues to spark the imaginations of today’s generation. I don’t know of many movies (other than Pixar flicks) that parent and child can both honestly enjoy.


So happy birthday Goonies and thanks for the good times.


mp3: cyndi lauper – the goonies ‘r’ good enough


http://www.youtube.com/v/9rCxMe-z-d4&hl=en_US&fs=1&