Let's face it, the last two Beastie Boys records were hugely disappointing. After a nice run starting with Licensed to Ill, thru Paul's Boutique and thru Ill Communication the Beasties had more hits than Sadaharu Oh. Hello Nasty was eh and To The Five Burroughs was something that we never thought was possible: a Beastie Boys cd that we barely played. Maybe it was because the drunken b-boy skateboarder bit was played out once......

Here’s a little honeysuckle/sunbeam ditty to remind us that you don’t have to live in this city to sing about it. Picture yourself in a hammock on a wraparound porch somewhere, sipping sweet tea, and takin' it breezy. Happy Friday folks. [MP3] The Rosewood Thieves - "Los Angeles" &righticonhover=0x333232&text=0x333232&slider=0xF2F2F2&track=0xFFFFFF&border=0xFFFFFF&loader=0x838383&soundFile=http://andysternberg.com/laist/Rosewood_Thieves_Los_Angeles.mp3">......

The New Yorker's Jane Mayer looks inside the mind of Joel Surnow, co-creator and producer of "24," and at the goings on behind-the-scenes of his San Fernando Valley production shop and LApocalypse (relax... it's only TV) incubator. Whatever it takes, yo. Happy Friday!......

Good day and Happy Friday to you, LAists. Glad to see we've made it through the week and are on the verge of what promises to be an eventful weekend. Keep reading for all today's upcoming entertainment. Tonight at The Echo, catch a pre-Sunset Junction Party featuring music by Canadian popsters The Unicorns, Fraus Dots and Sub Title. Doors open at 8:00 PM and tickets are $12.00 at the door.......