Author Archives: philipbrasor

Beastie Boys, Yokohama Arena, 1999

Posted on May 5, 2012 by philipbrasor

This is a review I wrote about a Beastie Boys concert at Yokohama Arena in 1999 for the Japan Times. Sean Lennon opened the Beastie Boys concert at Yokohama Arena on February 6 with a 30-minute set that was sharper … Continue reading →

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Media Mix, April 29, 2012

Posted on April 29, 2012 by philipbrasor

Here’s this week’s Media Mix about the recent lay judge trial of Kanae Kijima, who was found guilty of murdering three men and sentenced to death. The piece focuses on the trial itself and NHK’s attempt to recreate what may … Continue reading →

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May 2012 albums

Posted on April 28, 2012 by philipbrasor

Here are the albums reviews I wrote for the May issue of EL Magazine, which was distributed in Tokyo last Wednesday. MDNA -Madonna (Interscope/Universal) Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded -Nicki Minaj (Cash Money/Universal) While it’s difficult to get worked up over … Continue reading →

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May 2012 movies

Posted on April 25, 2012 by philipbrasor

Here are the movie reviews I wrote for the May issue of EL Magazine, which is being distributed in Tokyo today. Bad Teacher The similarities between this poor-taste comedy and the more recent Young Adult are mostly circumstantial: glamorous box … Continue reading →

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Levon Helm changed my life

Posted on April 21, 2012 by philipbrasor

The Band was the first rock group I paid any close attention to. While growing up in the 1960s I was as obsessed with AM radio as any other white suburban American kid was; or maybe even more so. At … Continue reading →

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Media Mix, Apr. 8, 2012

Posted on April 8, 2012 by philipbrasor

Here’s this week’s Media Mix, which is about the mainstream media’s general support for the government’s plan to double the consumption tax. I should point out that while this support is editorially pervasive it is not complete. The article I … Continue reading →

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Media Mix, Apr. 1, 2012

Posted on April 1, 2012 by philipbrasor

Here’s this week’s Media Mix, which is about the war of words going on between the Shimbuns Asahi and Yomiuri over a “scoop” Asahi ran in February concerning the Yomiuri Giants’ baseball team paying huge amounts of money for contract … Continue reading →

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Fountains of Wayne play to the choir

Posted on March 31, 2012 by philipbrasor

Yesterday I attended the first of Fountains of Wayne’s two-night stand at Ebisu Liquid Room in Tokyo. Though not sold out, the show was suitably packed to provide the sort of sweaty love-in the group tends to enjoy from its … Continue reading →

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April 2012 albums

Posted on March 29, 2012 by philipbrasor

Here are the album reviews I wrote for the April 2012 issue of EL Magazine, which was distributed in Tokyo last weekend. Wrecking Ball -Bruce Springsteen (Sony) Voice of Ages -The Chieftains (Hear/Universal) That Bruce Springsteen would make his latest … Continue reading →

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Media Mix, Mar. 25, 2012

Posted on March 25, 2012 by philipbrasor

Here’s this week’s Media Mix, which is yet another discussion of how LGBT issues and people are covered in the media, TV in particular. My use of the American TV drama series Glee and a Japanese variety show featuring “onee … Continue reading →

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