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, Shibuya (#3)

Tokyo Trawler Catch of the Day: Camelia, Andresa & Andrea, Brazil
Artist: Tom Jobim
Tune: Garota de Ipanema (The Girl from Ipanema)
Record: Getz/Gilberto (1962)

Camelia, Andresa & Andrea’s Essential Rating: 5/5

Camelia’s Message to the people: “Listen to bossa nova” (English translation!)

The Interview:

The Tokyo Trawler’s Essential Review:

Category: A whisky sippin' foot tapper

The way to listen to this song is to picture that beach in Rio. The dreamy guitar strumming* and featherlite piano tinkling* transport you right there, without requiring any understanding of the lyrics, because just like a packet of Brazilian cornflakes, you already know what the inner contents* are from the title alone. The brooding*, soft vocals and a distinctly Latin flavour back up this image of sun-licked shorelines*, soft breezes and whitewashed buildings, and whilst it wouldn't feel out of place in the background of your your local tapas* restaurant, or indeed your favourite 70s softcore porno, this tune has a distinct* charm and quality which make it a cut above*.

The Tokyo Trawler's message to the people: I can't decide whether I should listen to this on a sunny day or a rainy one...

To download or not to download?? 2/5 (WORTH A LISTEN)
iTunes available: Yes
勉強のキーワード: to strum, tinkling, brooding, shoreline, tapas, distinct, a cut above (idiom)

Garota de Ipanema URL (+English subtitles):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RjJ4cHOW3rM