On Tue, 15 Oct 2002 15:47:58 +0000 (UTC), logubeli@lycos.com (lb)
said:
wow - you wrote all this for one of the wackest songs I've ever
heard...
I pity your poor fingers...
PEACH
A to the L
Spooks is probably the band held in highest regard by hip-hop fans but
with the lowest recognition factor among the general population.
"Karma what?" "Spooks who?" "Well, I've heard of M&M, and Ice Cube,
and LLCoolJ!"
Karma Hotel is a track on their S.I.O.S.O.S CD, not as well know as
Things I've Seen, the all time top download at rapstation.com.
Laurence Fishburne opened his drug double cross drama, "Once in the
Life," with it's intro of spacey vocals followed by the haunting and >melodic chorus, "Won't believe the things I've seen, far beyond your >wildest dreams." What's the lesser-known Karma Hotel about and how
does it compare.
If not structurally a twin brother, it's at least a close cousin. A
vocal intro is followed by the entry of bass and drums to provide a
beat of metronomic regularity. The sequence of three male rapped
verses alternates with female sung choruses until the last verse,
where Ming Xia is given a rare opportunity to beguile us with her
voice from the front of the stage.
Each verse relates a separate vignette; the playing of a game of
Russian Roulette, a Dorian Grey like gambling episode, and a soul sale
to the devil by way of sex. These tight stories are clearly portrayed
in 25 or so lines.
A cloyed seeker of thrill and zest finds a barrel at his dome.
"Fourth time I clicked and popped BOOM! Money shot!" You can only
pull the trigger so many times.
Next, we "peep the gambling scene," where a great winning streak
causes "green growing like chia pets." "Fans flock" to this intense >episode, but rapture transforms to stiff, wooden unreality for player
and crowd alike. "Years have passed in one night," and he winds up an
old man with cash who "never lived life."
The last verse warrants the most attention. Students of the Book of >Revelations understand the disguised symbolism in "triple nines on
nails danglin' off the door." "Macristo," the name a satanic
variation of "Christ," makes an overt play for "Eve" with an offer of
the apples equivalence.
Succinctly and with poetic facility, the mechanics of the transaction
is recounted. "Transform lust to thrust" relays intention becoming
the act. Being won over: "ooh, invitation accepted, too good to
reject it. So I join in unprotected" also graces the listener with a >triple rhyme. Four more in three lines adorn an interchange showing a
lack of self-regard, "expected one life to live don't respect it."
"Respect what?" "Ooh you poor child you've been neglected." Eve >delineates the unusual twist to the transaction, "Why do I feel so
cold? It's like each time I climax you take a piece of my soul."
Four bars of lively jazz guitar melody leads out the song.
The first verse allegorizes a bold and dangerous venture; more >specifically, perhaps, the gamble on drug bliss. More sober persons
found his body the next day "with a needle stickin' out of" his arm.
Also implied is the phantasmic loss of insight that drugs cause; the >perceived excitement, pleasure and energy of a poison induced
delusion.
The casino episode can paradoxically depict a grindstone life that
isn't lived or an intense desire for an objective whose attainment
reveals the absence of it's worth.
The title term karma, while encountered frequently, often is used
poorly. It's a Sanskrit word that comes to us from the Hindu
religion; literally it's a deed or an act. It describes the concept
that present time thoughts and actions have consequences in the
future. And not just later in the day after lunch, often pretty far
into the future, such as after one dies and is reborn! This and other >eastern terms often are used to call up deep significance.
But the term really isn't used well. Even when considering only the
time frame, verses one and three pass in an hour. While karma might
be seen to manifest thus as a result of thoughts and actions in the
past, nothing of this sort was revealed to the listener. Verse two
appears to take place over most of an adult lifetime and it's more >realistic to consider a decision to completely throw in with a
gambling plan could produce this type of adverse outcome.
Overall, the lyrics are sharp and colloquially lively, fit for verse
with their clear descriptions and incidents of real life
believability. An apparent description in verse three of erotic
statuary; "the way they're entwined so good it's a crime." Many >mid-sentence rhymes are added gifts to the listener as are the choice
of expressive verbs. Some of the nice word play: "Peep the drama
another sad story at the karma," "rambled the fiends," mannequin
matched with panickin' and "beat (not meet) the friends and family."
The presentation of singing and speaking is excellent, as it was in
"Things I've Seen." There's no amateurish gallop of sing song iambs
but the professionally poetic ending of sentences and lines in
different places. There's no rushing or dragging, no explosive over >emphasis or insufficient projection. There's an authenticity in >presentation such as a light touch on the consonant that ends the
syllable, leaving the listener with more easy-on-the-ear vowel sounds.
But even with these attributes and verses that relate complete
stories, this song doesn't stand shoulder to shoulder with "Things."
The lyrics lack the power and poetic inspiration and the choral
melody, while pleasant enough, isn't as commendable and in fact,
sounds derivative. There's nothing to compare to the formers summary
line, "I've seen and experienced things that take the average to the
edge and swan dive to death." They even spin a little out of control
in the second verse, one eye open, watchin' his gat, back, stack, etc.
"Karma Hotel" is a good song that should keep the band in the eye of
their fans and earn them some downloads and sales, but it's not of the >quality to catapult it to the forefront. Don't expect to see it as a >number one all time download at any music sites.
Lastly, I feel compelled to give a final message to you, Eve. I was
moved by your concluding wail, "I'm trapped here for eternity." From
your relation of your stunning reversal, you signed no contract with >Macristo, who failed to inform you beforehand of the full nature of
the arrangement. You thus were unable to give informed consent.
In addition, your payment was woefully insufficient. A soul usually >returns in compensation years, seven or more, of some combination of >immense fame, wealth, good fortune, not a fraction of an hour of
sexual activity, no matter how many, well, some details aren't
currently pertinent.
I believe a good legal mind could invalidate that deal you made,
restore to you your soul and the freedom to depart the hostelry. I
happen to have a number for Lawyer Referral Service. Since you're >apparently unable to leave, perhaps a meeting there could be arranged.
I have only your best interests at heart, young lady. Feel very free
to call me!
lb
The lyrics to Karma Hotel can be found at: >www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/spooks/karmahotel.html
Check the sites y'all... www.altrap.com www.raredj.com
"A to the L owns all your stankin asses. Man can rap his ass off. The rest are scrubs." - Fatboy Roberts
"...let's just say that I think that A to the L is an artist because of his ability to quantify different SHITS into words. That's art." - Alvin Smith
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