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

Video Interviews, Shibuya (#7)

Tokyo Trawler Catch of the Day: www.madyour

notme.com, USA

Artist: Drake

Tune: Houstalantavegas

Record: So Far Gone (EP)

www.madurnotme.com's essential rating: 4/5

www.madurnotme.com's Message to the People: "www.madyournotme.com"

The Interview:

The Tokyo Trawler’s Essential Review:

Category: A hump 'n' grinder

On the surface*, it sounds the same as a shoal* of other songs that have come swimming out of the US 'R'n'B' scene in the last ten years, and whilst the façade* is about as engaging* as a can of sardines*, Houstalantavegas' interior does have more to offer the listener. Lyrically, the song focuses on a somewhat mysterious female character, offering a speculative*, yet intelligent and frankly sad commentary*. However, the broad, soothing* vocals don't quite compensate for the repetitive* chorus, and whilst the midway rap bridge is a welcome intermission*, you can't help wondering just how long this guy spent trying to perfect his Kanye impression*.

The Tokyo Trawler's message to the people: Don't tell Kanye, you never know what he might do.

To download or not to download?? 2/5 (IF YOU'RE BORED)
iTunes available: Yes
勉強のキーワード: surface, shoal, façade, engaging, sardine, speculative, commentary, soothing, intermission, impression

Houstalantavegas URL:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd7n8bjLnOM