I thought his palms were sweaty…
In addition to the DOOM, I’ve also been stuck listening on some Um Jammer Lammy tunes. The spiritual sequel to the Parappa the Rapper{{1}}, the game that single-handedly created the “Music Game” genre, Um Jammy replaces the rapping pooch with a rockin lamb. While it doesn’t quite capture the same charm as Parappa—guitar licks aren’t as cute as funny rhymes{{2}}—the tunes are still catchy as hell. Literally.
Um Jammer Lammy OST – Taste of Teriyaki (Parappa Version)
[[1]]Parappa the Rapper 2 was eventually made , but I haven’t played it or heard the songs. I hate being a cheapass/late adopter of game systems sometimes.[[1]]
[[2]]Actually, if you perform well as Lammy, you can unlock the second part of the game where you play as Parappa who raps to remixed versions of the same songs Lammy played guitar on.[[2]]
In one level, Lammy DIES, then goes to hell{{3}}. [[3]]Of course this was censored out in the US version.[[3]] Here, she meets a lusty lounge singer who’s “talking bout a lotta fire / talkin’ bout no gettin tired” tempts Lammy by crooning that she “can think of something for me and you to do”.
Dope rhymes don't pay the bills.
Remember, this is a sequel to the game where the cutesy catch phrase was “I gotta believe!”. I’ve said it many times before, and I’ll say it again: Japanese folk are crazy. Hell, remember Chop Chop Master Onion? One of the dopest characters ever made? Well, he lost his dojo and is a street bum, telling Lammy that “nobody ever talks to me no more”. That’s fuckin’ sad. Why would they do this to one of my childhood heroes?
But that’s not to say that the game is all PG-13; in other levels you help put out a fire and even babysit some babbling babies. And the game’s final song is an uplifting anthem telling ya to never give up, never cut corners and always do your best. Aww…
So if you haven’t already, take a listen to the songs, and enjoy the campy craziness that is Um Jammer Lammy. Now if you’ll excuse me, I gotta get these songs outta my head, and the casino outta my hair.