Review Summary: A highly underrated piece of dreamy indie pop fused with various alt rock and folk influences.
Sunny Day Service are, arguably, one of Japan's most underrated indie acts. Formed in 1992, the group got their first spark of fame with, this exact album, "Tokyo". Although they had some bigger success later on, the group initially split in 2000. As soon as the band broke up, so did their fame, as when they reunited in 2008 and released their comeback record, 2010's "Honjitsu wa Seiten Nari", ranked at a mediocre peak at number 16. Concentrating on their 1996 major debut, "Tokyo", Sunny Day Service create a remarkably unique sound, which blends a tender indie pop background with various bits of influences scattered throughout the album, which could draw comparisons to other indie-esqued acts such as The Flaming Lips.
The album starts off with "Koi ni Ochitara", which is a levitating indie pop ballad with strong, buzzing bass lines echoing throughout the song. The simple formula is collided with a power pop splash, making the song a unique one, and a fantastic opening track for the underrated album. "Aitakatta Shoujo" is a bare-boned Britpop influenced track, accompanied with strong crooning provided by the band's frontman Keiichi Sokabe. A simple song, but one that is amplified tremendously in appeal by the use of dramatic strings in the song's chorus and bridge. "Ajisai" is a beautifully orchestrated pop-like ditty which features bubbly bass lines and heartfelt vocals belted out by Sokabe. The overwhelming amount of warm pop progressions throughout track makes for a fantastic song, and one that has the potential to be played over-and-over again. "Seishun Kyousoukyoku" is a power pop track which sort of follows the pattern of "Koi ni Ochitara", only with a more solid pop punch, thanks to the organ throughout the song. The powerful pop punch of the track makes for another impressive add to the already solid album. "Iro na Koto ni Muchuu ni na Tari Aki Tari" is probably the album's finest moment, as it follows the basis of dreamy bass lines, drowned out pedal steel guitars and virtually whispered vocals from Sokabe. The splendid track follows an unforgettable style of a mellow sound which balances melodic elements ridiculously well, and makes the song a slumber diamond in the album.
Throughout the album, various fantastic peaks are met, and "Tokyo" winds up being an unappreciated form of indie pop with tons of dreamy atmosphere and various influences explored. This album explains, undoubtedly, on why Sunny Day Service were one of the most impressive stars in the Japanese indie pop circuit in the 1990's. Recommended to anyone who has a taste for anything indie or to those who enjoy their music spliced with various influences, all on top of a warm, laid back melodic foreground.
