Mad 3 "Teenage Delinquent!" CD
"The delinquents with their too-tight
leathers and the teenage savages -- out for madness...a new kick!".
Twelve tracks of distorted, lo-fi, throwback garage rock with some
surf, punk, and rockabilly riffs thrown in. Includes a cover of
the Vibrators' "Baby Baby". Recommended for fans of Guitar
Wolf and Thee Michelle Gun Elephant.
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Melt Banana
"MxBx1998/13000 Miles At Light Velocity" CD
The defining band of New Japanese Hardcore.
Sounds like a pleasant punch in the face. This CD is a virtual "best
of": 26 tracks recorded live during their 1998 US tour. Lots
of rare songs including a great cover of "Surfin' USA"
(listen below). The perfect introduction to the world of Japanese
noise.
TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK 1/16/08
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Melt Banana
"Scratch Or Stitch" CD
After tons of requests we've finally decided to carry
Melt Banana's catalog. This is the first of many CDs that we'll
carry from Japan's queen-led kings of noise rock. 30 to 60 second
outbursts of noisy emotion that actually aren't nearly as serious
or urgent as they sound. 22 tracks clocking in at a 31 minute total,
our favorite MB album.
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Minority Blues Band
"Grab the Fire Swinging in the Rain" CD
The now-defunct MBB played some of the best melodic punk around.
14 songs in that lovely Jawbreaker/Leatherface vein. Perfect for
your hardcore boyfriend.
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Mono & world's end girlfriend
"Palmless Prayer/Mass Murder Refrain" CD
Recorded right before their "You Are
There" album, this collaboration between Mono and Tokyo-based
electronic composer "world's end girlfriend" is a "five
part sojourn of neoclassical grace and luminescence that defies
lazy categorization (taken from their label's site)." Does
the period go before or after the quotation mark? You'll have plenty
of time to think about the answers to questions like that while
you listen to this meditative orchestral masterpiece.
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Mono
"You Are There" CD
Our favorite CD of 2006. An absolutely brilliant
exploration into atmospheric guitar rock, "You Are There"
fully exploits every emotional corner of the realm of electric instrumentals
creating tender, introspective moments that seamlessly build to
anxious guitar play. Music to dream to, wake up to, and live to.
Six amazing songs ranging in length from 3 1/2 minutes to the epic
13 minute closer "Moonlight", which may be the group's
greatest achievement thus far. Highest possible recommendation,
especially for fans of Godspeed You... and Mogwai. Produced by the
great Steve Albini. Its impossible to extract a sample of Mono's
epic sound since its so dependent on layering and pacing...but we
tried.
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Mono
"Walking Cloud And Deep Red Sky, Flag Fluttered And The Sun
Shined" CD
The third album from Tokyo's explorers of
instrumental rock. Mono's current sound was soldified with this
release, which features 8 tracks of soaring crewscendos, titanic
sheets of distortion and dark melodies. Produced by Steve Albini,
Highly recommended.
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Mono
"New York Soundtracks" LP
Remixes and reworkings of tracks from Mono's
"One Step More and You Die" album. Collaborators include
Calla, Aki Onda, Jackie-O Motherfucker and more. Limited edition
of 2,000, vinyl-only release.
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Mono
"One Step More And You Die" CD
Mono's 2002 sophomore album that critics
will inevitably compare all of their future releases to. More sophisticated
than their previous release yet seemingly more raw and honest than
their subsequent releases...incredible in any case. Eight tracks
of beautiful brutality.
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Mono
"Under the Pipal Tree" CD
Mono's debut full-length released courtesy
of John Zorn's Tzadik label. Mono are a young instrumental band
from Tokyo that combines elements of minimalism, psychedelia and
trance rock to create a masterful sound that rivals the best of
Sonic Youth's collages. Equally exciting and serene.
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Mummy the Peepshow
"School Girl Pop" CD
This female three-piece formed in Osaka
back in 1994. Since then they've released four full-length records
on Sister/Benten records and have toured the US three times. "School
Girl Pop", their latest full-length and first domestic release,
features 12 tracks of poppy punk rock. Mummy have a penchant for
doing Smiths and Cure covers thus they're highly recommended in
our book.
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Nagisa Ni Te
"The Same As A Flower" CD
Brings to mind the very best of sixties' and seventies'
psychedelic, progressive and folk rock (think mid-era Pink Floyd,
early Neil Young). Nine tracks of restrained melodies that deserve
careful dissection and appreciation.
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Nagisa Ni Te
"Dream Sounds" CD
A four track virtual "best of" (clocking
in at 41 minutes) from Japanese rock legend Shinji Shibayama. Avant
garde psych rock with an earthy, folky feel. The perfect introduction
to the dreamy and nature-obsessed universe of NNT.
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Navel
"depend" CD
Navel play achingly beautiful guitar-pop
that have made them a favorite amongst listeners "in the know".
12 tracks of super pop with the occassional hardcore breakdown...think
Snuff or Jawbreaker. You'll be the coolest introspective kid in
school with this CD. Japan-only release on Snuffy Smile.
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ni hao!
"Gorgeous" CD
Full-length debut from this Kansai-based
female three piece (two basses and a drummer, the singer is from
Limited Express...). Complex, tender, poppy...these 20 tracks are
all over the place yet complement each other nicely. Includes a
cover of the Ramones' "Do You Remember Rock 'N' Roll Radio".
Highly recommended.
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ni hao!
"Red Blue Green" Enhanced CD
Color-coded, Kyoto-based ni hao! play a
sweet blend of pop, punk, rock, and new wave filled with unpredictable
twists. BLUE is also a member of Limited Express (has gone?). This
CD is made up of their first two mini-albums as well as a bonus
track and fifteen minutes of video including rehearsal footage and
an amazing puppet show. Australian release, approved by the Boredoms
and John Zorn. Recommended for fans of anime and Katamari.
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ni-hao!
"Live at Bar Open 2006" DVD
Filmed on a hot February night in 2006 at Melbourne,
Australia's Bar Open. Live sets from four global bands including
TnR favorite ni-hao!. Watch them tear it up on stage with their
unique bouncy pop to noise transitions. Sydney's The Thaw are really
good too. 112 minutes of music, photos, and interviews. Australian
release.
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Nicotine "Session" CD
Released in Japan in the Fall of '04, Nicotine
are back with fifteen tracks of high-energy punk rock. Produced
by Warren Fitzgerald of The Vandals, and featuring guest appearances
by members of Guttermouth, New Found Glory, Death By Stereo, and
Home Grown. Pop punk is alive and well in Japan.
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Nicotine "School Of Liberty" CD
The second domestic full length from the
"NOFX of Japan" (is that good or bad?) sold 60,000 copies
in Japan. 17 tracks of poppy punk rock goodness. For fans of Hi-Standard
and the Warped Tour.
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Nicotine "Samurai Shot" CD
Chiba's Nicotine play fast, fun, punk rock
in the vein of a Fat Wreck Chords band. A "best of" compiled
from three full lengths, singles, and compilation tracks. Their
English isn't perfect, but it suits the music just fine. Includes
a cover of "Do They Know It's Christmas" sung by a host
of guest stars.
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Otaku Unite! DVD
The world's first documentary on Japanese
animation fandom in the United States features an all-Japanese soundtrack
including the likes of Petty Booka, Mummy the Peepshow, the 5.6.7.8.s,
and Potshot. Also includes a live Peelander-Z performance of "Manga"
from the OU! World Premiere party. Feature runs 70 minutes, extras
run 45 minutes. Released by Central Park Media who put together
the DVD's 15 minute cosplay gallery from Otakon 2005. Recommended
by TnR operator Eric who also happened to direct it. For more info
visit otakuunite.com.
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Panda, No Panda "Imagi Rocks" CD
Japan-based international electronic duo
Panda, No Panda plays a cracked and often tongue-in-cheek take on
the Shibuya-kei sound, a scene once defined by bands like Pizzicato
5, Buffalo Daughter and Cibo Matto. Hitting touch points as diverse
as Beck, Prince, Doris Day and Tenacious D, the band wanders in
and out of hip-hop disco styles while maintaining a central voice
and feel that is very Pandalicious. So crazy we had to give you
two audio samples. 18 songs total
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The Pebbles "First Album" CD
Go-go boots, mini-skirts, and lo-fi throwback
rock and roll. The Pebbles are a trio from Tokyo who, lucky for
us, were born five decades too late. Fourteen tracks including two
Link Wray covers! For fans of the 5.6.7.8's and the Beatles.
OUT OF PRINT 8/16/06
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Peelander-Z "Dancing Friendly" CD
The world's greatest Japanese Comic Action
Punk act returns! Thirteen new tracks that will easily satisfy the
anime fan, costumer, or punk rocker in your life. Includes live
versions of the P-Z classics "Jaico My Love" and "Mad
Tiger". Click below to listen to our favorite track: "Manga
Man". Highly recommended, of course.
TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK 1/16/08
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Peelander-Z "P-Bone Steak" CD
Peelander-Z are all over the place these
days. You may have seen them on TNN's Banzai or on your digital
cable provider's OnDemand music channel. In any case, P-Z is quite
possibly the best live band currently residing in the US. Peelander
Yellow, Red, and Blue play super energetic punk rock. And they do
it in crazy costumes with lots of props and audience participation.
Fourteen tracks including the popular songs "Mad Tiger"
and "S.T.E.A.K.". Highly recommended.
TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK 11/29/06
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Petty Booka
"Dancing With Petty Booka" CD
World famous ukulele-playing pop duo from
Tokyo Petty Booka play Hawaiian and bluegrass inspired covers of
country, punk and classic rock songs. This 16 track CD runs the
gamut from Bolllywood tunes to traditional numbers painting the
perfect portrait of these laid back pop sweethearts. One of the
few CDs on this site that can be enjoyed by every member of the
family. Highly recommended.
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Polysics
"Polysics Or Die!!!" CD
A fantastic introduction to Japan's Devo
for the newcomer and a treat for the old. This 18 track anthology
is a virtual "best of" featuring songs from throughout
their career. Lots of Japan-only tracks from singles and mini-albums
plus new recordings of some of your favorites. "Kaja Kaja Goo"
is finally available stateside. A fantastic CD at a low price. The
copies we sell have holes punched in the UPC's signifying their
promo status, we got them from an independent distributor.
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Polysics "NEU" CD
The greatest hope for the future of music
returns. "Neu", Polysics' second album, somehow manages
to be even crazier and more complex than its predecessor. Fourteen
tracks of Devo/Kraftwerk-inspired genius. As heard on Sony Japan's
"Japan For/Not For Sale" compilations.
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Polysics "Hey! Bob! My Friend!" CD
Possibly the greatest band in the world,
Tokyo's Polysics are often referred to as the "Japanese Devo".
You may have heard them on one of Sony Japan's "Japan For/Not
For Sale" compliations. Twelve song debut includes an awesome
cover of The Plastics' "GOOD". If you don't own this album,
you need to buy it. Now. Also available on an incredible picture
disc LP (click for a pic).
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The Portugal Japan "S/T" CD
The debut album from the best Ramones-based
Japanese rock band we've heard since the Banana Erectors. Thirteen
tracks that range from sugary sweet pop to sugary sweet aggression.
Includes an amazing cover of "Kick Out The Jams".
Here's the bio from their site: Super
Miracle dangerous golden ultra great excellent Tornado Fine play
without THE END triangle!!Nice to meet you!!4649...highly recommended.
Japan-only release.
INDEFINITELY OUT OF STOCK 12/28/05
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Potshot "Dance To The Potshot Record" CD
This is the fifth album by POTSHOT from
Japan, called "Dance to the Potshot Record". Potshot still
has that huge bouncy sound, with a horn section and ska energy,
but this album has more of a Ramones-y punk sound to it.
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Potshot "Potshot A Go GO" CD
This album sold over 100,000 copies in Japan
making Potshot the most popular Japanese ska/punk band ever. More
of their signature big brassy ska sound with plenty of ooohs and
aaahs to sing along with. The song that plays over the end credits
of Otaku Unite! is on this album so you know its good.
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Potshot "'Til I Die" CD
Potshot cemented their status as Japan's
most popular ska outfit with this, their third release. Lots of
oohs and aahs for you to sing along too.
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Potshot "Rock 'n' Roll" CD
The follow-up to "Pots and Shots"
features 13 more upbeat ska/punk numbers. Ska is coming back so
buy this CD and act like you never gave up listening to the Toasters
in favor of the Promise Ring.
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Potshot "Pots and Shots" CD
Debut release from Tokyo's seven piece kings
of smile inducing ska/punk. This must-have features 14 fast, poppy
tracks.
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Red Bacteria Vacuum
"Roller Coaster" CD
Three cute young Japanese women who play
ruthless, non-stop punk rock. A great new band to come out of Japan,
this debut six song CDep is hopefully just the beginning for RBV.
Recommended for fans of Bikini Kill and
Lolita No.18.
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The Rodeo Carburettor
"S/T" CD
High distortion rock-n-roll trio that will
set your soul on fire! Formed back in 2001, this is their fifth
full-length release and their first US release. More stylish than
punks, more punk than greasers...Guitar Wolf comparisons are inevitable.
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