junk magnet : music : jpop : tokyo incidents (tokyo jihen)

Did you know that I'd do most anything for Sheena Ringo? I'd climb big things, eat yucky stuff, just for the privilege of listening to her masterful music.

Well, after 4 "solo" albums (with a fine backing band) she's now fully joined up with a new unit, Tokyo Jihen also known as Tokyo Incidents. Their first single, [Gunjo Biyori] came out on 9.08.2004, and it's quite pleasing, but perhaps not to the same degree as her earlier work.

Still, I adore the Ringo-san experience no matter what, and simply ignore slightly awkward and annoying tracks like the [The Lady is a Tramp] cover. No matter, Tokyo Jihen are a tight jazzy-spazzy-rock band to look into, made all the better by she who makes me all doki-doki. This is a fine release, followed by another great single, [Sonan], on 10.20.2004.

Their first album, [Kyoiku] (released on 11.25.2004), is heaping hand and feetfulls of magic, yet perhaps simply too much for any one person to take in initially. Once you ease into the beautiful messiness, then there's a whole lot to hold on to. You have the previous singles to enjoy, plus items from her solo work like a variation on [Ringo No Uta]. Sonically I'm reminded of [Karuki Zamen Kuri no Hana] (her last solo album), only with far less pure Japanese influence. It's jazz, rock, punk, surf and more, all shot into a reverse-prism by Ringo-san lasers, ending up with a powerful coherency that's hard to beat. In fact, I found it to easily be one of the best albums of 2004, and a fine progression of her legacy.

A tour of Japan is starting 1.17.2005, so make sure to check them out if you're around, or simply browsing your local check out counter.

Tokyo Incidents have also come out with a DVD featuring 6 Promotional Videos of their songs. [tokyo incidents vol. 1] is full of nuggets of joy, with remarkably inventive visuals and ample camaraderie between Ringo-san and crew. I have much more respect for Tokyo Jihen now that I've seen them both in the videos and making of documentary.

Make sure to check out my Sheena Ringo page for heaping handfuls of information about her.

tokyo incidents (tokyo jihen)

Ringo Sheena: Vocals, Guitar
Mikio Hirama: Guitars
Hzm: Keyboards
Toshiki Hata: Drums
Seiji Kameda: Bass

(Lineup as of first album, second is different)

tokyo incidents - news

New Sheena Ringo Album Out 2.21.2007!

5th Album:
[Heisei Fuzoku]
TOCT-26211 (Limited)
TOCT-26210 (Regular)
2.21.2007

Old Sheena Ringo songs re-recorded and refreshed, plus new ones - bound to be great. Limited has "deluxe cross-opening special package, three stickers, and a coaster" (thanks CDJapan)

01. Gamble
02. Kuki
03. Sakuran (TERRA ver.)
04. Hatsukoi Shoujo
05. Papaya Mango
06. Ishiki
07. Yokushitsu
08. Meisai
09. Poltergeist
10. Karisome Otome (TAMEIKESANNOH ver.)
11. Oiran
12. Yume no Ato
13. Kono Yo no Kagiri

New Sheena Ringo DVD Out 2.21.2007!

Live DVD:
[Dai Ikkai Ringohan Taikai no Moyo]
QIFK-50005
2.21.2007

19 Sheena Ringo solo songs from a fan-club only concert with the Neko Saito Orchestra.

New Sheena Ringo Single Out 1.17.2007!

10th Single:
[Konoyo no Kagiri]
TOCT-40084
1.17.2007

Theme to [Sakuran], the movie. A duet with her brother Junpei.

New DVD Out 9.6.2006!

Just Can't Help it

DVD:
[Just Can't Help It.]
TOBF-5497
9.6.2006

22 songs at Tokyo's NHK Hall in 5.2006. 96 minutes, and All Region NTSC - it plays on US DVD players.

New DVD Out 3.23.2006!

Tokyo Jihen DVD Eizo Sakuhinshu - Adult Video

DVD:
[Tokyo Jihen DVD Eizo Sakuhinshu - Adult Video]
TOBF-5469
3.23.2006

6 listed video tracks, has three songs from [Adult]. 22 minutes long, All Region NTSC - it plays on US DVD players.

New Album Out 1.25.2006!

Adult (Otona)

2nd Album:
[Adult] (Otona)
TOCT-25884 - "Homme" (CD and DVD)
1.25.2006

Adult (Otona)

2nd Album:
[Adult] (Otona)
TOCT-25885 - "Femme" (CD only)
1.25.2006

First album by new lineup. All good, all the time, no doubt. Limited DVD includes concert footage from [Dynamite] tour, plus small booklet and fragrance. The two CDs have different cover designs but the same music.

Track Listing for [Adult]

01. Himitsu
02. Kenka Joto
03. Keshonaoshi
04. Super Star
05. Shuraba adult ver.
06. Yukiguni
07. Kabuki
08. Black Out
09. Tasogarenaki
10. Tomei Ningen
11. Tegami

New Single Out 11.02.2005!

Shuraba

3rd Single:
[Shuraba]
TOCT-4936
11.02.2005

First single by new lineup. More information when it arrives in a month.

New Concert DVDs From The Dynamite! Tour!

Dynamite In!

[Dynamite In!]
TOBF-5400
7.13.2005

Includes 50 minutes of concert footage (5 full songs, plus fragments) and behind-the-scenes episodes. Is All Region NTSC for the enjoyment of everyone.

Dynamite Out!