Mixtape Of The Month: Feelin' Gangsta

I rushed in here after watching last night's BSG [another mindfraker] to finish this because as I became aware today - March is almost upon us!

This one's a little bit different than last month for two major reasons...

1]  I made a conscious effort to pick things up a bit after I got called out by the Missus for becoming a softy in my old age last month.  Happy now?
2]  At some point in the month, I decried the state of hip hop music as being really ass-o-riffic thanks to that god damn Dirty South vocal filter that seemingly is on every rap/hip hop track these days.  This declaration sent me to iTunes Music Store to see if I could find some new hip hop to add to my collection that could prove me wrong.  Those songs are well-represented here.

And off we go...

SIDE A
----------
I'm Not Going To Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You - Black Kids
I'm pretty sure that Kate Nash's awesome cover of this song has made a previous Mixtape Of The Month and with this featured on the playlist at work these days, I thought it was only fitting to pay tribute to the original.  This kicks off Side A with a burst of energy and awesomeness.  I defy anyone to listen to this song and not be singing it for days to follow.  This is one of those songs that just makes you happy when you hear it.

Section 22: Running Away - The Polyphonic Spree
Unfortunately, I can't say why I've had this song stuck in my head lately and why I included it this month.  In fact, there's a Non-Disclosure Agreement that would prohibit it!  Suffice to say that I don't care if the Polyphonic Spree is a cult or not because they make some damn fine music.  Another song that just brings a smile to my face all the time when I hear it.

Slow Show - The National
I'm pretty sure the version that'll by housed on MY Mixtape is a live one from some radio station or Internet place but the one I've included for your benefit is the actual studio version.  The National didn't really come to my attention until I saw them open for R.E.M. last year.  At that point, I only knew them as "the band that covered a kinda obscure Bruce song."  But they quickly won me over with biiiiig songs and powerful vocals.  This is one of those songs.  The song [especially in the live version] just seems so huge at times, you'd think the vocals [which are damn subtle] would get lost in the mix but they just power on through to create an amazing piece of music.

Let It Slip - The School
In a similar way to the Pipettes knockin' the hell out of Pull Shapes, The School channels some of those bubble gum pop bands from the 50s to put something out there that very few bands are doing and even fewer are doing well.  The version I included for you guys sounds a little different to my highly-tonedeaf ear... more polished or something... maybe I have a demo or an older less studio version?  No clue but it's still awesome.  Listen to this one and imagine your parents [well, if you're my age anyways] listening to something just like it.

Heavy Metal Drummer - Wilco
Back in October when I reviewed Wilco's set at the Bridge School Benefit, I made the following statement...
They took a person who didn't know many of their songs [me!] and managed to make me entertained by their entire set
So, if we go back to that statement and now reveal that months later, I'm still listening to and enjoying one of the songs they played that day that I had no clue about - well, that just shows how talented of a band that they are.  I still look forward to a chance to see them in a smaller venue someday.

Just Dropped In - Kenny Rogers & The First Edition
Wait a second.  Is this the same Kenny Rogers who rocked the house with The Gambler, Lady, and Islands In The Stream among others?  No fucking way.  I love when I stumble upon artists who went waaaaay outside their wheelhouse and managed to put something awesome together.  Apparently he did this before those other songs but it doesn't make it any less amazing.  Obviously, this is being included because of its' star turn in The Big Lebowski which is on my mind because Lebowski Fest is coming to Los Angeles in May and I'm trying to work myself into getting excited so that I want to go... that make sense?  Oh, the song rocks too.  Listen to it!

First Time High - Of Montreal
Sadly, Seeqpod doesn't have this so you can't hear it but I'd suggest hunting it down to check it out.  Maybe... here!

Turn Me On - Norah Jones
After all that kickass rockishness, it's time for one of our slow jams.  I'm not the kind of guy who likes to paint all these elaborate pictures about what kind of scene a certain song creates in my mind BUT... well, let's just say this song makes me easily envision it being sung by a sulty songstress on a darkened stage in a smoky piano bar... oh yeah, and she's singing that song just for you, buddy!  You know it!  Go get that crazy dame!

I've Been High - R.E.M.
You guys drew the short straw here because there's an AMAZING in-studio version of this that is on one of the KCRW Morning Becomes Eclectic albums.  This is a great live version that you get but that studio version is the equivalent of a musical orgasm.  Yep.  I said it.  I meant it.  I'm here to represent it.  But until you can track that down, you're stuck with this.  And with such a beautiful song, we wrap up Side A with a bang!


SIDE B
----------
Gangsta Gangsta - N.W.A.
For years, I've sat sadly with N.W.A. only being represented on my iTunes by Compton, Police, and Express Yourself.  This month, I decided to remedy that.  This is one of those songs that just shows off how amazing that group was with each member carrying their own shit so strongly, it couldn't help but make the whole group rock the house.  Hopefully none of you are listening to this at work - well, unless you have earphones.

Vato - Snoop Dogg w/B-Real
One of the things I love about the hip hop/rap world that you just don't usually see in other genres is how frequently you see collaborations like this.  Snoop Dogg with B-Real from Cypress Hill?  Seems like a natural match, huh?  This one tells a pretty simply story about some guys fuckin' with gangsta Snoop and how Snoop had to deal with them.  Sounds like every other hip hop song, no?  I love the back and forth between Snoop and B-Real though - that's what makes this one stand out to me.

Crack A Bottle - Eminem, Dre, 50 Cent
No luck on this one either.  It's nowhere to be found on Seeqpod.  I'm going to guess they made 'em pull it down because this song's been all over the place lately.  I'm a big fan of two of the three artists on this one so I had to give it a shot.  No one puts together a hook like Eminem and Dre.  This one will be stuck in your head too.  Guaranteed.

California Vacation - The Game
Remember when everyone was talking about 50 Cent vs The Game?  Well, one listen to the last track and this track will tell you who won that one musically.  Financially?  Who knows.  But musically, The Game is far beyond what 50 Cent is capable of with his gangsta romance rap.  This is one of those songs where you can hear the heritage of West Coast rap in every piece of it.  Having Snoop as a guest star on it doesn't hurt either.

Timecop - Iron Chic
Seeqpod is letting me down tonight but I did manage to find a link for y'all for this one.  This would drop us out of the gangsta rap and kick us back a ways.  This is the kind of song and the kind of band that I would have gone absolutely apeshit for about ten years ago.  Now?  Well, I can reminisce fondly while listening to them.  I'm sure I would have seen them a half dozen times in a year's span - probably all at crazy shows where 15 bands played.  Ahhh - memories.

Green Means Go - The Color Wheels
This knocks us a little further away from the West Coast rap with a really fun poppy punk track.  It's catchy as hell too so you can feel free to blame me tomorrow evening when you're humming "It goes green means go and no means no..."  Fun song.  I enjoyed it immensely when I first stumbled upon it and thought it was instantly worthy of inclusion on this list.

I Really Love You - Dee Dee Sharp
I talked about The School channeling some 50's pop earlier but this one is legit straight off the AM dial from the 60s.  The thing that strikes me the most about this song though is that it feels like it should be included on a Tarantino soundtrack so that a whole new generation can treasure it - just like The Delfonics, Dusty Springfield, Dick Dale, and so many others.  Tell me you can't hear this blasting out of a scene in Jackie Brown.  Sadly, I don't think it'll fit in Inglorious Bastards though.  Anyone else see the trailer for that and just start giggling uncontrollably?  The tagline "You haven't seen war until you've see it through the eyes of Quentin Tarantino" reaffirms my belief in Hollywood... and then someone mentions Mall Cop.  Sigh.

Heartless - Kanye West
Never let it be said that I don't have the ability to mock myself.  Yes, after going on a diatribe above about the Dirty South vocal filter - here it is in all its glory.  And yes, I do think it's a cheap trick for Kanye to go for because I think he's better than that.  His vocals are good enough to stand on their own without some fucking studio magician slapping shit on him to make him sound like a robot.  But, that being said... great song.

End tape!

I'll be back tomorrow [or Monday] to talk about my favorite music from February so it's a jam-packed music weekend here at the B-Spot.

Listen and enjoy...

Can I Defer This Post?

Okay - damn. I really hate when I have to take stuff back but...

Really? Isn't that just a BIT too much deferred money to think they'd
take it?

Sigh. I guess this will never end.

Sent from my iPhone

Dodger Spring Training: The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly

Well, so goes the waiting game. Might as well not delay it any longer.

THE GOOD
Jason Schmidt Pitches... FOR REAL!
Now, I wouldn't want to get overly excited yet but the mere fact that he's already on a normal throwing program is good news. He pitched in a game and was okay to throw again in the following couple of days. I'm not about to predict we suddenly might get the Jason Schmidt of old in our rotation but if he's anywhere near that level, he could be absolutely vital. If he's not? Well, there's a shitload of guys who can slot in at the #5 spot.

Orlando Hudson Signs
I have some mixed feelings on this one but I'm not naive to think this is anything but a good thing for the Dodgers. It has pretty much been universally hailed as the best bargain of the winter and it gives the Dodgers yet another threat in the lineup. The bad part of this is Blake Dewitt who seemed certain to have earned a spot on the team after filling in so well for Jeff Kent last year. In the end though, I think this is directly a result of the extended negotiations with You-Know-Who. It's a move with a couple of purposes. It bolsters the lineup to ensure that if "the other guy" is not signed - the lineup won't be complete ass. It also sends a message to Satan Incarnate that we may not need his big client afterall. Maybe we won't even stick around in the negotiations... bitch.

THE BAD
The Starting Pitchers Fail Day One
Let's preface this with the standard "it's still early" but on Day One of Spring Training play, three of the Dodgers' starting rotation candidates took the mound in the forms of Ramon Trancoso, Claudio Vargas, and Eric Milton and collectively got rocked. Trancoso, who you may recall as a reliever last year, made his bid to make the rotation by giving up a grand slam in the 5th inning. Vargas looked shaky in the first inning when he gave up a run on two hits but set the side down in order in the second. Milton gave up three hits over 1 2/3 innings. So, really, it was just Trancoso who got completely smoked but Milton didn't fill me with confidence either. Vargas might have earned a closer look. But... say it with me... it's still early.

THE UGLY
Mr. Ramirez? Stuff It! I'm Over It!
The above was my exact quote when I found out that Manny and his bloodsucking jackal had rejected the latest offer from the Dodgers which basically was a one year deal with an absolute no-win option for a second year. That was a major concession by a team negotiating against itself and still it got nowhere. I'm over it and judging by a poll on the Times website which, as of right now, shows 47 percent of fans wanting the Dodgers to pull the offer and forget about it, I'm not alone in this. I seriously can't believe it's gotten this far and I'm really disappointed by it. I love Manny as a player on the field and won't forget his contribution to last year's team but... I'm over it. I'm completely okay with letting the kids play 2009 and seeing what happens. I was okay with that last year and I'm okay with it this year.

And that's that.

Maybe Not Yet

This was the night I intended to do another Dodger news recap...

...but there's something in the air.  A secret meeting at Dodger Stadium resulting in a not-so-secret offer to He-Shall-Not-Be-Named-Until-It's-Over.  It seems odd to do said recap tonight... just in case.  Let's wait a day and see what happens.

So, in place of that...


see more pwn and owned pictures

BSG vs Lost: Week 5

These seem to be getting later and later every week but I do keep remembering to do them in time - so I guess that's a good thing, right?

This week's showdown may seem a little unfair because with a viewing tonight, I've seen last week's Lost a total of three times now.  The Missus went to bed early the first time I saw it.  She fell asleep during a rewatch that was FOR HER BENEFIT!  And tonight, I finally made her watch it so we could watch tomorrow's without having to wait.  So, this may be a little unfair.

But Lost truly was the calm before the storm this week as it was the final episode before the Oceanic Six got back to the island.  We got the last bit of preparation for that but while it probably should have been a pretty dull ep, it really was an "out of the park" episode.  We had a little bit of a throwback to the days where Lost provided more questions than answers - with just a few answers to shut up the criers.

We learned that the Dharma Initiative built that room under the church as a way to find the island.  We learned that are certain times when the island can be found and that room is the key to finding those times.

And that's about it.

But now we got a bushel of new questions.  How the hell did Hurley get away from the police and know to get to the plane and why is he carrying a guitar case? [I'm guessing the answer to both of the last two questions is the same.]  Why is Sayid in police custody?  What the hell happened to Ben [and PLEASE tell me it's not what I think it is]?  And of course, where is Aaron?

Gotta love Lost.  Just when you think you've got the answers, they change the questions!

BSG had quite the show to beat this week and while they delivered another fun show with lots of twists and turns... I thought it fell flat yet again.  I just didn't care as much as I thought I would.  And to be honest, the blame falls squarely on the character of Ellen.  She was quite interesting to watch when she was away from the humans in the Fleet but as soon as she landed on Galactica, she became the same character that I hated all those months ago.  There were some pretty gripping emotional moments throughout the ep but in the end...

Round Five goes to Lost!

After five weeks...

Lost - 3
BSG - 2

Wrestlemania Coming To Arizona

The "buzz" started breaking out earlier today and now it seems like the WWE will make it official tomorrow.  Wrestlemania 26 will be held in Phoenix, Arizona.

And I am stoked!

I REALLY wanted to go to Mania this year but I just couldn't bring myself to actually fly to Houston for it.  It'd be an amazing show, I'm sure, but I didn't feel up to dropping that much cash but Phoenix?  I can drive to Phoenix!

If I go to Wrestlemania 26, it'll be only my second Mania visit - the first being the horrific Wrestlemania 2000 at the Pond in Anaheim.  Since then, Wrestlemania has really become a several day event with the return of Axxess this year, the amazing Hall of Fame ceremony, and now with Ring Of Honor following Mania around the country to host a show or two the same weekend.  And as it stands, there's a very strong possibility that 26 could be the final Mania for both Shawn Michaels AND The Undertaker.  How can I resist?

Sometime tomorrow, the WWE will make it official and I will officially be counting down the days because that one is going on my calendar in an instant.

Quick Oscar Thoughts

I'll probably have a little more to say on all this tomorrow but some quick thoughts...

** Disappointed in the Best Actor results.  Sean Penn had a great performance in Milk but Mickey Rourke deserved that Oscar and I'm not just saying that as a long-time wrestling fan.

** Disappointed that the Best Supporting Actress went to the one movie in that category that I hadn't seen.  That is all.

** Overjoyed that Slumdog took the categories that I thought it should take including Song and Editing.  But that movie, by far, was the Best Picture of 2008 and it would have been an out and out travesty for anything else to win.

** Of course, I'm happy that Heath Ledger got the Best Supporting Actor nod but I still feel that Academy thought that was there way to pay tribute to The Dark Knight without actually having to "suffer the indignity" of having a comic book movie possibly win Best Picture.

** And my thoughts on Best Actress?  Well, I'm sure I've posted this before but it was never more fitting than tonight...