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
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.
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.
Single:
[Moody Moon Dance]
KICM-1184
11.1.2006
2 songs that are laid back and beautiful. The second is Christmas themed.
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.
Single:
[Lyric Trigger]
KICM-1161
3.8.2006
DVD:
[Tengu]
KIBM-94
3.8.2006
From the November 26, 2005 show at Shibuya O-East
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).
Single:
[Life Is Jinsei]
KICM-1142
7.21.2005
Looks and sounds quite peppy - a two song treat, with instrumental bonus.
Single:
[Chinmoku no Hanakotoba]
KICM-1131
4.27.2005
Another fine release, but what did you expect?
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
Limited Album:
[Koisu Baka Otoko]
2.4.2001
Mini Album:
[Hejyo Ni Eie Ne LIVE at AtlantiQs]
VRCS-1019
9.30.2002
Mini Album:
[Tomodachi Parasoru]
VRCS-1024
10.31.2002
Maxi Single:
[Karubisu Chuu Chu] JM
VRCS-1029
6.1.2001
3.19.2003 (Re-Release)
1st Album:
[Shitoyaka Eon] JM
NPPX-5
3.19.2003
Mini Album:
[Himawarisan] JM
NPPX-8
7.23.2003
Maxi Single:
[Suraido Buru] JM
BZCM-1010
1.15.2004
Maxi Single:
[Kaeri Michi Jetto] JM
KICM-1102
4.7.2004
Maxi Single:
[Super Colorful] JM
KICM-1111
7.22.2004
2nd Album:
[Junjou Aijou Supplement Bokutachi] JM
KICS-1081
9.1.2004
Maxi Single:
[Fuyu Iro Garu] JM
KICM-1126
11.26.2004
2 Song Single:
[Chinmoku no Hanakotoba] JM
KICM-1131
4.27.2005
2 Song Single:
[Life Is Jinsei] JM
KICM-1142
7.21.2005
3rd Album:
[Dreamy Wormhole J"ten] JM
KICS-1192
9.14.2005
Single:
[Lyric Trigger] JM
KICM-1161
3.8.2006
Single:
[Lost in Uchu / Annui Chokyori Telephone Girl] JM
KICM-1167
6.7.2006
Single:
[Moody Moon Dance] JM
KICM-1184
11.1.2006
4th Album:
[100 Manmai Toppa!] JM
KICS-1287
1.1.2007
DVD:
[Tengu] JM
KIBM-94
3.8.2006
DVD:
[Tengu 2] JM
KIBM-127
1.1.2007
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
weblog:
[junk.log]
[complete index]
search:
message board:
[jm:messages]
newsletter:
junk magnet
po box 11501
berkeley, ca
94712-2501
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