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

Tokyo Trawler Recommendation #13 (20/05/10)

Artist: The Streets
Tune: Has It Come to This? (Original Mix)
Record: Original Pirate Material (2002)

Category: A deep thinker/twilight zoner

"This ain't a club track", explains lyricist Mike Skinner, in his intriguingly* relaxed, almost conversational delivery. I can tell you, he's right, this really ain't a club track. A thoughtful evolutionary* reinterpretation* of the 'UK Garage' urban music genre* which was prevalent* around the turn of the Millennium, the production is a marriage* of music styles, which helped this song to achieve huge success in both urban and alternative arenas at the time of release. Lyrically, the song deals with the familiar theme of suburban frustration, but the attention to detail* is stunning, and it is this which makes it less of a rap tune, and more of a cultural narrative*.

The Tokyo Trawler’s message to the people: "Videos, televisions; 64s, PlayStations"... Geez, people actually had disposable cash back in '02...

To download or not to download?? 5/5 (DO IT NOW!!)
iTunes available: Yes
勉強のキーワード: intriguing, evolution, reinterpretation, genre, prevalent, marriage, attention to detail, narrative

Don't Look Back into the Sun URL:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTS6INVmZGI

Tokyo Trawler Recommendation #5 (07/01/10)

Artist: Jamie T

Tune: Sticks 'n' Stones

Record: Kings & Queens (2009)

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

A very British effort, this song gives as much of an insight* into everyday life in London in the 21st Century as The Clash's London Calling did back in the Cold War shrouded* 1980s. Set against a background of the now infamous* 'binge*-drinking' problems of the city, the lyrics cleverly paint a picture of suburban frustration and substance (ab)use, together with everyday problems of young life. Enchantingly* accessible rap-like vocal delivery, and an extremely catchy and uplifting* instrumental with hints of both the Libertines and Dire Straits, demonstrate the originality and nigh-on* pop genius of this young Londoner.

The Tokyo Trawler’s message to the people: If you grew up in the suburbs and you like beer, you need Jamie T in your life.

To download or not to download?? 5/5 (DO IT NOW)

iTunes available: Yes
勉強のキーワード: insight, to be shrouded, infamous, binge, enchanting, uplifting, nigh-on

Sticks 'n' Stones URL:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dwh0Wn5vVwE

Tokyo Trawler Recommendation #3 (05/11/09)

Artist: Ratatat
Tune: Seventeen Years
Record: Ratatat (2003)

Category: Foot to the floor, windows down

"I don't write my stuff anymore, I just kick it from my head", boasts* the guy in this song's intro, but the truth is, that Ratatat, being a purely instrumental duo, don't write any lyrics. Razor-sharp* production, along with sublime* guitar harmonies and metronomic, clean-cut beats, negate* the need for vocals of any kind. The silky-smooth utter* reversal of the song's mood from first to second half is quite astonishing*, and whilst there are times you imagine that this song could have been made entirely on a computer, when you realise that these guys are two actual* guitarists, it becomes all the more impressive.

The Tokyo Trawler's message to the people: That age-old piece of advice, 'start fast, end slow'

To download or not to download?? 5/5 (DO IT NOW!)
iTunes available: Yes
勉強のキーワード: to boast, razor-sharp, sublime, to negate, utter (adj.), astonishing, actual