Japanese They Might Be Giants CDs: Are they worth your money?

 TLDR; No.


Want a long answer? Then here's your long answer.

They Might Be Giants have never been very popular outside Anglospheric countries, especially in Asia and especially in Japan. Even during their major label days at Elektra they were not very popular in Japan. Despite this however, many of TMBG's albums were released in Japan.

Usually, Japanese CDs have bonus tracks and other bonuses, supposedly nicer packaging and quality, Obi strips (which some people collect for some reason??), and any other quirk that'll make a Western CD collector splooge their pants. Are Japanese TMBG CDs worth YOUR time? Are they really worth seeking out or importing over a domestically released copy? That is what we'll find out today.


They Might Be Giants/The Pink Album (1987/1990)

There are actually two Japanese CDs of this album. The first is the OG release by Rough Trade records, the other is a reissue by Elektra. Aside from OBIs and Japanese booklets, it's the exact same thing as just about any other CD copy of the Pink Album, no bonus tracks or anything. Unless you actually live in Japan or you're one of those weirdos that only buys Japanese CDs but live in the US (yes, those people do exist), I believe neither are worth your money. 

Lincoln (1991)

For some reason, Lincoln wasn't released in Japan until 1991. I would assume because Lincoln was released on multiple different labels this time around rather than Rough Trade across the board (except for the US) and no Japanese label was interested in releasing it. Same thing as Pink Album, almost exactly the same as a normal copy, nothing very special, not worth your money unless you live in Japan.

Flood (1990)

Same thing as the previous 2. 

Apollo 18 (1992)

Same thing as the previous three AND Fingertips is just one song on Japanese copies so barely even worth a Japanese person's money.


Miscellaneous T (1992)

Aside from the novelty of having a copy of Miscellaneous T on Elektra, not worth your money unless you live in Japan.


John Henry (1994)

I'm really running out of things to say for all of these. Same thing as all the others.


Factory Showroom (1996)

The first TMBG with the infamous "Japan exclusive bonus track". The bonus tracks featured here are Sensurround and Unforgotten. Even with bonus tracks i'm gonna say it's not really worth tracking down outside of Japan. Both of these tracks are also on the S-E-X-X-Y EP, which also features We've Got A World That Swings which wasn't featured on Japanese Factory Showroom. I'd say get the EP and skip the JP.


Mink Car (2002)

Mink Car is probably the most notable TMBG album with Japanese bonus tracks most of which can be found elsewhere. Boss Of Me can be found on the Malcolm In The Middle Soundtrack and several TMBG compilations, Your Mom's Alright can be found on the European version of Mink Car and the Australian version of the Man, It's So Loud In Here single, and Robot Parade (Adult Version) is taken straight from the Working Undercover For The Man EP. The only song that is genuinly exclusive is McGyver which isn't too high on my list of TMBG songs. Is it worth it? Eh, sort of but not really. And besides, all of these tracks are on the vinyl version of Mink Car anyway.

The Else (2008)

The final TMBG album released in Japan. This features three bonus tracks, and all three are on the Cast Your Pod To The Wind bonus disc of the US version. Skip the hassle of finding a Japanese copy and just get the 2 CD version.


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