Tokyo Trawler Recommendation #12 (27/04/10)

Artist: The Libertines
Tune: Don't Look Back into the Sun
Record: Don't Look Back into the Sun (Single, 2003)

Category: A whisky sippin' foot-tapper

One of the things that happens to you after living in Japan for a while, is you begin to appreciate that raw things can, in fact, be palatable*. Unlike a fine slice of fresh sashimi, however, this tune has great longevity*. Deliciously raw, without being too 'retro'*, this sub-3 minute ditty* still sounds fresh, and leaves the listener wishing for an extra minute of the irresistible* melody, sunny lead and outbursts* of drum madness. Lyrically, this song is at odds with* it's upbeat* instrumentals and rather bouncy vocals, with the content perhaps serving as a harbinger* for what was to become of this turbulent* band.

The Tokyo Trawler’s message to the people: A future classic, if it isn't already.

To download or not to download?? 4/5 (ESSENTIAL)
iTunes available: Yes
勉強のキーワード: palatable, longevity, retro, ditty, irresistible, outbursts, at odds with (someone/something), upbeat, harbinger, turbulent

Don't Look Back into the Sun URL:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_g207eTzVw0

Video Interviews, AMAZING GRACE TATTOO SHOW, Ginza (#9)

Tokyo Trawler Catch of the Day: Colin, USA

Artist: Modern Life is War

Tune: I'm Not Ready

Record: Witness

Colin's essential rating: 4/5

Colin's Message to the People: "Hardcore's a family, and we need to realise that"

The Interview:

The Tokyo Trawler’s Essential Review:

"It's not for everyone". In Colin's own, honest words, this tune will never find it's way to karaoke classic status. In spite of* this, there is a certain epic* quality to the opening riff*, which wouldn't be out of place in the action scene of a war film. The building-up of this intro, however, leads us into repetition*, and the unpleasant* feeling that the pleasure* has been in the anticipation* of something great that never came. Undoubtedly* heartfelt* delivery, and a certain depth to the lyrical content are not enough to lift this song's head above the surface of the great pond of American rock mediocrity*.

Category: Keep the bathroom cabinet locked

The Tokyo Trawler's message to the people: Deep, but I ain't gonna be humming it, let alone whistling it in the park anytime soon.

To download or not to download?? 2/5 (IF YOU'RE BORED)
iTunes available: Yes
勉強のキーワード: In spite of (something), epic, riff, repetition, unpleasant, pleasure, anticipation, undoubted, heartfelt, mediocrity

I'm Not Ready URL:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sABSoZHSE8k

Tokyo Trawler Recommendation #11 (07/04/10)

Artist: The Notorious B.I.G.
Tune: Dead Wrong (Remix ft. Eminem)
Record: The Notorious B.I.G.: Greatest Hits

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

They told me not to. In fact they begged* me not to. To include what is possibly one of the most explicit* songs ever recorded in my personal recommendations surely isn't cool. Well, this song is just so good I suppose had to say 'f**k that'. A unexpectedly great remix with production which fits perfectly both with the aggressive lyrical content and with 'Biggie's' trademark* loose* delivery, Eminem makes a worthwhile* appearance at the close*. Here is a tune that will blow you away*. Not only due to the simply blood-curdling* story, but because it's raw*, real and, in terms of delivery, a true marker* that all hip-hop artists can aspire* to.

The Tokyo Trawler’s DISCLAIMER to the people: Don't play it to the kids. Please.

To download or not to download?? 5/5 (DO IT NOW!!!)
iTunes available: Yes
勉強のキーワード: to beg, explicit, trademark, loose, worthwhile, at the close, to blow (one) away (idiom), blood-curdling, raw, marker, to aspire (to)

Dead Wrong (Remix ft. Eminem) URL:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8ZsZnpuofk