パントマイム (Pantomime)
Debut EP (1990)
The band's first EP, and talk about a good first impression. While the rest of their first movement is known for a neo-acoustic sound, Pantomime's rock and post-punk style is much more akin to what the band would later become known for. It's not completely there yet, but I still like it nonetheless. It's a strong EP, with a fun, indie-punk sound. They definitely nailed it on the first try here.

90'S MY LIFE
Second EP (1990)
This is the EP that finally brings in the jangle pop style their earliest years are known for. That being said, it's still a fun and energetic EP. It's much more laidback than Pantomime, but I actually prefer it for that. It's a chiller style that suits them pretty well, managing to stay fresh and creative all throughout. If you're in the mood for something more mellow, check this one out.

MOON GOLD
Debut Album (1991)
Their first album, Moon Gold is when they fully leaned into that neo-acoustic style. In my opinion, it's also when it got stale. Songs here are inoffensive, and while there's two tracks I like, everything else sounds too same-y for me. It just doesn't really impress me that much. It's safe, okay jangle pop. It's nice to see where the band's studio career started, but I'm just not into this one.

WHITE INCARNATION
Second Album (1992)
The last of their first movement, White Incarnation is alright. There's more style to be found, and songs actually sound original for once. There's also a lot more rock influence here, rather than the cheesy, poppy style Moon Gold had, and I'm all for it. That being said, there is still a slight lack of identity here. It's much less of a problem here, but it's still a thing. At the very least, this album's fine.

KOOL SPICE
Third Album (1994)
After their bassist left, the band switched directions hard. Taking cues from jazz sophisti-pop, with a bit of city pop and Shibuya-kei influence, Kool Spice is the start of their short-lived second movement. And it's fucking awesome. Songs are jazzy, smooth, and super chill. This one's just a fun and unexpectedly great bit of experimentation, full of style, energy, and a whole lot of class.

LIVING FIELD
Fourth Album (1995)
The last of their second movement, Living Field exists to further expand their then newfound, jazzy style. Needless to say, it does a great job. Everything is a step-up from the last album. There's even a few hints of a returning alt-rock sound, one that would define the next album. This release is a hidden gem, and a stylish send-off to this experimental yet lively period of the band's history.

Please Mr. Lostman
Fifth Album (1997)
Lostman marked a turning point for the band. Shifting to a melancholic, alt-rock focus, this album was made while the band was on their last legs. Nothing up to this point stuck or sold well, and it's this troubling time that gives Lostman it's somber style. It's catchy but emotional, with a cold tone that I just love. It's a beautiful album that saved the band from obscurity, and begun their peak.

LITTLE BUSTERS
Sixth Album (1998)
With a headstrong sound, this album feels like the band finally finding their footing. That rock-heavy sound is at full force here, and it's awesome. Songs are loud, raw, and expressive, with a nostalgic, echoey vibe too. Even the slower, more sentimental tracks resonate with me. Little Busters no doubt deserves it's spot as one of the band's best and most iconic albums. I fucking love it.

RUNNER'S HIGH
Seventh Album (1999)
Further developing a rough, grungy sound, Runner's High is their heaviest album to date. It's even louder than last album, bringing in a post-punk, grungegaze edge that works wonders. Tracks are raw, angry,and rebellious. Expect a lot of passionate vocals and buzzing guitars. There's some light bits of experimentation too, neatly balancing out this album's bombastic energy. I just adore this album.

HAPPY BIVOUAC
Eighth Album (1999)
The last and greatest of their peak, Happy Bivouac both expands on, and polishes that new, punk/grunge/shoegaze style. Vocals are energetic, instruments are loud and full of effects, and there's a distinct edge that gives this album a raw yet nostalgic vibe. It's just fucking perfect. In my opinion, this is both their best album, and one of the best albums in all of J-Rock. It deserves how iconic it is.

Smile
Ninth Album (2001)
Unfortunately, Smile doesn't compare as well. With a similar, grungy style, it's definitely not bad by any means. In fact, I like this album a lot. The one problem is just the clear burnout on this album. After 4 consecutive bangers, plus an anime soundtrack, it's easy to see why the band doesn't have as much energy here. It's still a great album, but not the best follow-up they could've done.

Thank you, My Twilight
Tenth Album (2002)
This album is the follow-up that Smile should've been. TYMT is just fucking awesome. It's lost some of that punk-ish edge, but makes up for it in ambition and personality. Experimenting with a blended synth-pop sound, every track is creative, and has a distinct identity. Plus, the title track is one of their most beautiful songs ever, I love it. TYMT isn't their best, but damn, is it close.

Penalty Life
11th Album (2003)
Despite being released after their most experimental album, Penalty Life goes in a safer direction, taking on a pop-rock identity instead. That's not a bad thing, the bad part is that a lot of songs sound awkward with it, or don't utilize it well. However, there's still some great songs to find, and the band hasn't lost their edge here. It's not a bad album, it just has a lot of missed potential.

GOOD DREAMS
12th Album (2004)
Luckily, Good Dreams serves as a comfortable return to form, going for a less pop-focused vibe. It's pretty damn good, all things considered. Some tracks lack a little bit of energy, but I still wouldn't say there's any bad songs on here. Everything's just fun, consistent, and creative. This album did take a while to grow on me, but I'm glad I did. It's an underrated album that I love regardless.

MY FOOT
13th Album (2006)
A further expansion of that return to form, My Foot is rougher, heavier, and even more vibrant than the last album. Everything's catchy, creative, and energetic. There's just nothing really bad on here, every track is strong and solid, even if they don't reach the heights set by the band's peak. It's just nice, seeing that rock-heavy, power pop energy brought back one more time. I love this album.

Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!
14th Album (2007)
Wake Up is the band's first endeavor with Avex, a label known for it's J-Pop talents first and foremost. Think solo artists and idol groups. Needless to say, the band's style shifted drastically to fit in. With a poppy, radio-friendly sound, Wake Up just sounds weak in my opinion. It's got a few good songs, but a lot still feel sanitized and unoriginal. It's inoffensive pop-rock, and not the fun kind either.

PIED PIPER
15th Album (2008)
Luckily, Pied Piper is the fun kind. Serving as a slight return to form, this album manages to successfully blend their previous, rocking style, with more contemporary J-Pop. It does a pretty good job, too. Tracks are creative, ambitious, and full of all the style and energy the last release lacked. Be it catchy J-Rock bangers, or simple J-Pop treats, this album goes hard all the same.

OOPArts
16th Album (2009)
One step forward, two steps back. OOPArts is the one album by this band that I genuinely think is bad. It's a stale try at pop-rock, with some really off mixing. Songs often just sound weak and uncreative, without much energy. This was their 20th anniversary album too. I can see the appeal of this album, but it just isn't for me. At the very least though, it sounds awesome live.

HORN AGAIN
17th Album (2011)
Horn Again is the most album of all time. The band finally takes a step away from pop here, trying to recapture that edgy, unfiltered rock sound. This would be awesome, but unfortunately, it's still heavily flawed. A lot of songs just sound like tired retreads of older, better tracks. It's just uneventful. The one redeeming factor here is that once again, this album goes hard when live.

トライアル (Trial)
18th Album (2012)
Trial is a pleasant surprise, and a breath of fresh air. By some miracle, this album kicks ass. It's style is a more cold and distant one, though still full of energy and creativity. Most songs are ambitious and different, with a generally bittersweet vibe. It's just a joy to listen to. Trial is a hidden gem in my opinion, with a distinct identity and sound. It's a shame this one's so underrated.

ムーンダスト (MOONDUST)
19th Album (2014)
Moondust is a mixed bag through and through. It's first four tracks are genuinely phenomenal, carrying the album's front-half with heavy guitars, soulful vocals, and badass energy. Unfortunately, the rest of this album is completely different, swinging back and forth between inoffensive filler, and stale ballads. It's not bad, just standard, and very jarring compared to the album's first half.

STROLL AND ROLL
20th Album (2016)
This is the band's first album after leaving Avex, opting to instead join Yamanaka's own label, Delicious. You'd think the creative freedom would help, but it kinda doesn't. Stroll and Roll is in no way bad, it's just inoffensive. The style and sound are really cool, and I'd say every song here is good, but there's few I really return to. They just all sound very similar. Not bad, just not notable.

NOOK IN THE BRAIN
21st Album (2017)
Nook in the Brain can be described with one word. Solid. It's steady, consistent, and pretty good. There's still a small lack of creativity here, but for the most part, songs have their own identity, and go pretty hard too. It's just a fun, simple return to form, that I really like. There's just not much I have to say about this album. It had one of it's songs featured in the Olympics. Neat.

Rebroadcast
22nd Album (2018)
Luckily, this last album is far more notable than the last two. Rebroadcast is the band's latest release, and it does not hold back. It's got style, energy, and tons of passion. The sound is the roughest it's been in a while, and while a few songs still fall flat, the amount of love put into this album easily outshines them. There's also a pretty resonating theme of nostalgia throughout the lyrics here. It's lovely.