Tokyo Trawler Recommendation #2 (15/10/09)

Artist: The Aggrolites
Tune: Lucky Streak
Record: Reggae Hit L.A. (2007)

Category: It's lucky for you there's no dancefloor

An utterly carefree* song, a truly feelgood* funk piece. The stunning background production on this song transports the listener into a hot, smoky 1970's L.A. club filled with busty beauties and trilby-topped, gold-dipped gangsters; and whilst far from being a complex or indeed original song, it has bounciness, optimism* and an instrumental diversity* that make it a truly interesting and worthwhile* listen. Coming from a band famous for reggae, this song manages to steer clear of the red, green and yellow cookie-cutter*, and as such is a much more instant, if a little less lyrically thoughtful effort. Guaranteed, if you can't snap your fingers, you'll want to learn just for this hugely funky song.

The Tokyo Trawler's message to the people: Learn to dance first, please.

To download or not to download?? 3/5 (IT'S GOTTA BE DONE)
iTunes available: Yes

*勉強のキーワード: carefree, feelgood, optimism, diversity, worthwhile, cookie-cutter

Tokyo Trawler Recommendation #1 (15/10/09)

Artist: Rancid
Tune: Salvation
Record: Let's Go (1994)

Category: A frowny-faced, head boppin' street strutter

You'd struggle to find a song which personifies* punk more than this sub-3min effort. The lyrical simplicity*, crunchy, scratchy guitars and fist-in-the-air harmonic chorus all contribute to the catchiness* of this little gem. A punk song very much in the old-school* mould, even for the vast majority of the public who prefer not to align* themselves with the genre, this song can still offer something interesting. The lyrics tell of a class divide, the two sides of the fence. The concept of peering* over that fence, and the feeling of being out of place ("I'm in your front yard, under suspicion"), is perhaps something we can all relate to*.

The Tokyo Trawler's message to the people: Request it at your boss' retirement party

To download or not to download?? 4/5 (ESSENTIAL)

iTunes available: Yes

勉強のキーワード: to personify, simplicity, catchy, old-school, align, to peer, to relate to

The future starts now.

Welcome to the Tokyo Trawler blog.

The future starts now, and you will soon find the Tokyo Trawler combing the streets of this fine city for the greatest music recommendations. Video interviews with you, Tokyo's music experts, will be conducted down on the ground, and then posted up here for your viewing pleasure. They will then be investigated by the prolific music fisherman that is the Tokyo Trawler, and the results posted, whether you like 'em or not!

Anything goes - from ancient to ambient, tinpan to techno. The Tokyo Trawler himself will also be providing you with 100-word music recommendations, so be sure to check back regularly for the some music sashimi, if you like.