The Amppez
"The Irony of a Sweet Fruit" CD
Female three piece from Shizuoka that play
melodic, melancholic rock songs. The emotion level is high as are
the melodies, beautiful stuff. Perfect music for a Sunday afternoon.
This is their debut seven song CDep. |
Banana Erectors "S/T" CD
From Yamaguchi with love. Take the buzzsaw punk rock
assault of the Ramones circa 1977 and throw in 60s styled female
bubblegum pop vocals and you have the Banana Erectors. Includes
a cover of the Partridge Family's "I Woke Up In Love This Morning".
Highly recommended. |
Buttersprites
"Buttersprites" CD
Debut full-length from this
punky and poppy female five-piece. With members hailing from Washington,
Hawaii, and Japan, The Buttersprites are perhaps best known for
their custom-designed costumes. The perfect gift for the cosplayer
in your family. Japanese and English lyrics. |
Caroline
"Murmurs" CD
"Caroline will impress, depress, compress,
suppress and repress your most inhibited desires." Born in
Okinawa and currently residing in LA, singer/songwriter Caroline
Lufkin plays light, hypnotic rock that defies description and begs
imitation. Beautiful stuff recommended for fans of Bjork and Imogen
Heap. Give her a try, you'll be impressed.
TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK 1/16/08
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Caroline
"Where's My Love" CD Single
Caroline's critically acclaimed three track debut.
A mix of minimalist electronic instrumentation, classic arrangements
and supernatural vocals. Includes a remix of the title track and
an unreleased song. |
Eel "People People" CD
"Its A Small World After All"
set to an electronic beat with a dash of Japanese quirkiness. This
is some of the sweetest, most upbeat electro-pop you will ever hear.
Simple, straightforward, and highly addictive. For Mates of State
fans with short attention spans. |
Ellegarden
"Riot On The Grill" CD
Emotional poppy punk for teenyboppers and
their boyfriends. The mainstream emo sound has officially made its
way to Japan and no one is harnassing it more effectively than Ellegarden.
Think Saves the Day meets Sum 41 meets talent. Their positive songs
about heartbreak and innocence have gained them a huge following
amongst the youth of Japan and after an early 2006 US tour they're
finally being noticed stateside. Highly safe, highly recommended. |
The Emeralds "Surfing Baby" CD
Released in May 2005, this
three song EP features The Emeralds' newest recordings and serves
as a great indication of things to come. Japan-only release on Cranberry
Records. |
The Emeralds "Talk About Love" CD
Self-released five song EP from the "New Agers
of Japanese Rock and Roll". The Emeralds play sharp, catchy,
pop-based R'n'R and they do so with style. They played SXSW in '04
and '05 and will surely have an American distribution deal inked
in no time. This CD features their earliest recordings and is not
available in the States. |
The 5.6.7.8's "Bomb
The Twist" CD
Six song EP from the queens of throwback Japanese garage
rock. You saw them in Kill Bill. Their cover of the Rocketeens'
"Woo Hoo" was included on the soundtrack for that film,
but it appeared on this CD first. The title track is possibly the
greatest song they've ever recorded. Highly recommended. |
Gito Gito Hustler
"Love & Roll" CD
The debut US 11 track full-length release
from all-girl rock throwback sensations Gito Gito Hustler. CD features
brand new tracks along with some old favorites that are available
in the US for the first time. After multiple SXSW appearances and
nationwide tours, GGH are quickly rising to 5.6.7.8's levels of
visibility. Listen to the sound of the current Japanese Hit Parade! |
Gito Gito Hustler "Gito Gito Galore" CD
The first domestic release from this Tokyo-based
female four-piece. Gito Gito have toured the U.S. multiple times
in the past few years and have gained a huge (and much deserved)
following in the process. Fast, poppy, sing-along rock and roll
that you can listen to with your mother. This is a six song EP and
is a great introduction to the Gito sound. |
Limited Express (has gone?)
"Live at the 101 Bar" CD
A super cheap live album recorded on their
Samurai Koala tour throughout Australia in 2004. Here's a great
description of LE(hg?)'s sound: "Fugazi battling Astroboy inside
a giant strawberry coloured lava lamp". That pretty much sums
it up. Australia release comes in a plastic sleeve with an awesome
insert. Abstract pop at its best. |
Limited Express (has gone?)
"Feeds You!" CD
Arising out of the infamous Kansai scene
that brought us the likes of the Boredoms, Kyoto-based LE(hg?) are
a young, three piece pop/rock/noise outfit with female vocals.
"Feeds You!", their debut release, matches the
speed and intensity of a Melt Banana record, but has a childlike
innocence that makes it compulsively listenable. An eclectic, powerful
album that has John Zorn's seal of approval.
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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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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. |
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. |
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. |
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. |
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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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. |
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. |
Polysics "NEU" CD
The greatest hope for the future of music
returns. "Neu", Polysic' second album, somehow manages
to be even crazier and more complex its predecessor. Fourteen tracks
of Devo/Kraftwerk-inspired genius. As heard on Sony Japan's "Japan
For/Not For Sale" compilations. |
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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Shonen Knife
"Burning Farm" CD
TnR is proud to carry Shonen Knife's 1983
debut "Burning Farm". Shonen Knife are a female three
piece that have been playing cutesy, unpretentious rock since 1981.
They are perhaps the world's most well-known Japanese rock group
thanks to the efforts of fans like Sonic Youth, Nirvana, and Redd
Kross. This CD features 13 tracks including the fan favorite "Twist
Barbie", which they continue to play live today.
TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK 7/19/07
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Shonen Knife
"Yama-no Attchan" CD
Shonen Knife's sophomore album, originally
released back in 1984. The signature SK sound continues to evolve
through 12 more tracks of childlike innocence. Includes studio and
live recordings of the future classics "Flying Jelly Attack"
and "Insect Collector". Highly recommended. |
Shonen Knife
"Pretty Little Baka Guy" CD
Shonen Knife's third album, originally released
in 1986, is the band's first true classic. Ice cream, chocobars,
and summertime are the themes of these twelve tracks of sweet, poppy
rock. Includes the live staples "Riding On The Rocket"
and "Kappa Ex.". Highly recommended. |
Shonen Knife "712" CD
The SK sound continues to evolve as they
experiment with different rock styles on their fourth release. Features
a total of 17 tracks including a cover of the Beatles' "Rain".
TnR operator Eric B.'s favorite SK song, "Redd Kross",
is one of the many classics featured on "712". |
Tsu Shi Ma Mi Re
"Pregnant Fantasy" CD
One of the best albums of 2005. Its tough
to describe the unique sound of this female three piece. Funky,
poppy, humorous, and a bit creepy, TSMMR have an uncategorical style
so appeallingly offbeat that it had to come from Japan. Handpicked
by the Suicide Girls to be their opening act in late 2005. Highest
possible recommendation.
TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK 11/29/06
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Umekichi
"The Voice of Geisha Doll" CD
Umekichi presents the sound of traditional
samisen-based music to the contemporary crowd by adding a touch
of pop to the genre. She comes from a family of pedigree and continues
to promote the Edo culture of the mid 1800s through her traditional
music and wardrobe. Umekichi is one of the most popular artists
of her genre and is accepted and enjoyed by Japanese listeners of
all genres. The sound of classic Japanese cinema. Highly recommended
for gift giving. |
YMCK "Family Music" CD
The perfect soundtrack for the hardcore
gamer in your life. Imagine listening to Pizzicato Five while playing
Super Mario Bros. 2. That's what YMCK sound like. Jazzy, female
vocals over 8-bit Nintendo samples that don't let up over the course
of twelve tracks including "Magical 8bit Tour" and "Your
Quest Is Over". This CD will make you the coolest kid at your
local EB Games. Guaranteed. |
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