Video Interviews, Ikebukuro (#14)

Tokyo Trawler Catch of the Day: Shank, USA
Artist: 般若 (Hannya)

Tune: Yachatta

Record: 根こそぎ (Nekosogi - 2007)

Shank's essential rating: 4.5/5

Shank's Message to the People: "No matter what you do, you do it again, you f*ck up, you do it again, you f*ck up, you do it again, you f*ck up; and one day, you might just get it right!"

The Interview:

The Tokyo Trawler's Essential Review:

"You're gonna be a salary man, or you're gonna be what else?", asks Shank, our interviewee, and I think we can safely say that self-proclaimed* gangster rapper Hannya has chosen the 'something else' route. On Yachatta (loosely translated as "Oh shit, I did it"), this motor-mouthed* Japanese rapper takes us through some of life's lower points with a witty* twist*.  Providing an intriguing* insight* into Japanese culture (the strict drug rules, love hotels, 'goukon' blind date parties), the clean production, staccato* Japanese rap delivery* and unusual bongo-style percussion, whilst being quite different to the stuff we're used to hearing, might just hold some appeal for Western hip-hop fans.

Category: A foot to the floor, windows down-er

The Tokyo Trawler's message to the people: Make sure you click the link below and check out the music vid for this - really funny stuff.

To download or not to download?? 2/5 (WORTH A LISTEN)
iTunes available: Yes
勉強のキーワード: self-proclaimed, witty, twist (名詞12), intriguing, insight, staccato, delivery (4)

Yachatta URL:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiBfr6ovNWM

Video Interviews, Shibuya (#12)

Tokyo Trawler Catch of the Day: François, Holland
Artist: Bob Marley & The Wailers

Tune: One Love

Record: Exodus (1977)

Johnny's essential rating: 5/5

Johnny's Message to the People: "Hello everyone in Holland, we're staying here in Tokyo for three days and recommend it to everyone!"

The Interview:

The Tokyo Trawler’s Essential Review:

A song that few people can claim* never to have heard, but with a glance* at the lyrics alone, one that is an inspiration. Despite the fact that it's littered* with numerous biblical* references* (As it was in the beginning/So shall it be in the end), the message of One Love doesn't require any rocket science qualifications to decipher*, and as such has universal* and enduring* appeal. Marley sets his stall out in the intro with a combination of effortlessness* and esprit*, before diving almost immediately into the chorus, and wrapping* it all up in under 3 minutes. Something so short packs a whole lotta greatness in it, though.

Category: Pass the lighter

The Tokyo Trawler's message to the people: One love.

To download or not to download?? 5/5 (DO IT NOW!)
iTunes available: Yes
勉強のキーワード: claim, glance, littered (動詞), biblical, references (1), decipher, universal, enduring, effortlessness, esprit

One Love URL:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdB-8eLEW8g