Thmlues

In April of 2004, at a Tower Records in Shibuya, I came across a little kiosk promoting an indie band named Thmlues (in Japanese, Sumuru-su). I was smitten by their just-released EP [Kaeri Michi Jetto], so much so that I bought everything available from them on the spot. Without question, this poppy-rock quartet was the musical find of my trip, and I wore out those few tracks with repeated listens at home and work.

A little research revealed that they had not only an album and few EPs that I had missed, but a new album [Junjou Aijou Supplement Bokutachi] that was scheduled to be released on 9.1.2004. I was quite pleased when I finally heard it, because it's chock full of my old favorites, plus nicely realized new tracks (12 in total). It was clearly one of the best albums of 2004 in any language.

Be warned that they sing attractively solely in Japanese, but don't let that turn you off. They sound quite Western, like Triceratops meets The Pillows (another of my new all-time faves). Give one of their EPs or albums a listen, and you're guaranteed a good time. Oh yeah, they have ultra-cute artwork, too, all the more reason to acquire tangible goods.

thmlues

Kenji Tokuda: Vocals
Kenta Kaiyo: Guitar
Tetsuro Koizumi: Bass
Shinichiro Nakajima: Drums

 

 

New DVD Out 1.1.2007!

Tengu 2

DVD:
[Tengu 2]
KIBM-127
1.1.2007

This time it's 10 promotional videos, and I'm been anticipating this collection - what I've seen of their PV work so far has been quite fun.

New Album Out 1.1.2007!

100 Manmai Toppa!

4th Album:
[100 Manmai Toppa!]
KICS-1287
1.1.2007

13 songs collecting recent singles and new tracks. I'm terribly excited to hear this soon.

New Single Out 11.1.2006!

Moony Moon Dance

Single:
[Moody Moon Dance]
KICM-1184
11.1.2006

2 songs that are laid back and beautiful. The second is Christmas themed.

New Single Out 6.7.2006!

Lost In Uchu

Single:
[Lost in Uchu / Annui Chokyori Telephone Girl]
KICM-1167
6.7.2006

4 songs that I'm sure will go great together (#3 seems to be remade from the [Kaeri Michi Jetto] maxi single). More info in a few weeks.

New Single Out 3.8.2006!

Lyric Trigger

Single:
[Lyric Trigger]
KICM-1161
3.8.2006

New Live DVD Out 3.8.2006!

Tengu

DVD:
[Tengu]
KIBM-94
3.8.2006

From the November 26, 2005 show at Shibuya O-East

New Album Out 9.14.2005!

Dreamy Wormhole J

3rd Album:
[Dreamy Wormhole J"ten]
KICS-1192
9.14.2005

I'm very excited, but I don't know much about this 14 track release except that it will have their past few singles. I'll start working on transcribing/translating the titles (Shift JIS for confused browsers).

New Single Out 7.21.2005!

Life Is Jinsei

Single:
[Life Is Jinsei]
KICM-1142
7.21.2005

Looks and sounds quite peppy - a two song treat, with instrumental bonus.

New Single Out 4.27.2005!

Chinmoku no Hanakotoba

Single:
[Chinmoku no Hanakotoba]
KICM-1131
4.27.2005

Another fine release, but what did you expect?

New Single Out 11.26.2004!

Fuyu Iro Garu

Maxi Single:
[Fuyu Iro Garu]
KICM-1126
11.26.2004

Three excellent songs from the new pop masters, and a great place to start for new fans.

JM = Junk Magnet has this

albums and singles

Koisu Baka Otoko

Limited Album:
[Koisu Baka Otoko]
2.4.2001

Hejyo Ni Eie Ne LIVE at AtlantiQs

Mini Album:
[Hejyo Ni Eie Ne LIVE at AtlantiQs]
VRCS-1019
9.30.2002

Tomodachi Parasoru

Mini Album:
[Tomodachi Parasoru]
VRCS-1024
10.31.2002

Karubisu Chuu Chu

Maxi Single:
[Karubisu Chuu Chu] JM
VRCS-1029
6.1.2001
3.19.2003 (Re-Release)

Shitoyaka Eon

1st Album:
[Shitoyaka Eon] JM
NPPX-5
3.19.2003

Himawarisan

Mini Album:
[Himawarisan] JM
NPPX-8
7.23.2003

Suraido Buru

Maxi Single:
[Suraido Buru] JM
BZCM-1010
1.15.2004

Kaeri Michi Jetto

Maxi Single:
[Kaeri Michi Jetto] JM
KICM-1102
4.7.2004

Super Colorful

Maxi Single:
[Super Colorful] JM
KICM-1111
7.22.2004

Junjou Aijou Supplement Bokutachi

2nd Album:
[Junjou Aijou Supplement Bokutachi] JM
KICS-1081
9.1.2004

Fuyu Iro Garu

Maxi Single:
[Fuyu Iro Garu] JM
KICM-1126
11.26.2004

Chinmoku no Hanakotoba

2 Song Single:
[Chinmoku no Hanakotoba] JM
KICM-1131
4.27.2005

Life Is Jinsei

2 Song Single:
[Life Is Jinsei] JM
KICM-1142
7.21.2005

Dreamy Wormhole J

3rd Album:
[Dreamy Wormhole J"ten] JM
KICS-1192
9.14.2005

Lyric Trigger

Single:
[Lyric Trigger] JM
KICM-1161
3.8.2006

Lost In Uchu

Single:
[Lost in Uchu / Annui Chokyori Telephone Girl] JM
KICM-1167
6.7.2006

Moony Moon Dance

Single:
[Moody Moon Dance] JM
KICM-1184
11.1.2006

100 Manmai Toppa!

4th Album:
[100 Manmai Toppa!] JM
KICS-1287
1.1.2007

videos

Tengu

DVD:
[Tengu] JM
KIBM-94
3.8.2006

Tengu 2

DVD:
[Tengu 2] JM
KIBM-127
1.1.2007

music

thmlues

1.24.2007

Thmlues [J]
Official Page

King Records [J]
Thmlues Info

Hejyo Ni Eie Ne Sumurusu [J]
Cool Fan Site

Sumururun [J]
Great Fan Site

Yahoo Search [J]
"Sumurusu" in Japanese

Google Search [J]
"Sumurusu" in Japanese

 

 

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